MONTCLAIR, N.J. -- The nationally-ranked Christopher Newport women's soccer team scored twice in the first half and locked down defensively for the team's 14th shutout of the season in a 2-0 blanking of 12th-ranked Montclair State University on Sunday afternoon. Playing on a crisp, sunny afternoon in New Jersey, the Captains captured their eighth straight NCAA Tournament victory and advanced to next week's sectional round. 

With the victory, CNU will play in the second weekend of the postseason tournament for the third time in the last four season and the fourth time in program history. Late Sunday night, the NCAA announced that Christopher Newport will host the sectional round next weekend. The Captains will play No. 9 Trinity (Texas) in a rematch of last season's sectional semifinal after the Tigers defeated Pacific Lutheran in Sunday's second round. The other matchup will feature No. 13 Wisconsin-La Crosse vs. Virginia Wesleyan. 

Christopher Newport continued it's historical march with the team's 30th shutout in the last 43 games while extending the streak of consecutive games without a loss to 43. That mark matches Lynchburg from September 11, 2011 to November 11, 2012 as the sixth longest run in NCAA Division III history. 

Sophomore goalkeeper Jaya Daniel played the full 90 minutes to earn her eighth solo clean sheet of the season by making two saves. The defense in front of her limited Montclair State chances throughout the contest despite averaging nearly two and a half goals per game coming into the matchup. 

On the other end, the Captains wasted little time in presenting the Red Hawks defense with a challenge, ripping a pair of shots early off the foot of Emma Ricci. The junior forward got loose less than five minutes in and peppered the Montclair State keeper with a laser into her hands in an indication of what was to come from the CNU offense. 

CNU broke through in the 23rd minute after building a chance from midfield. Abby Harrigan started the action forward when her pass ahead was momentarily waylaid by the Montclair State defense. A Red Hawks touch ahead was intercepted by rookie Kate Eissenberg at the top of the box and, seeing the team's leading scorer, Sarah Smith, left alone to her left, Eissenberg shuffled a pass across the middle for the Norfolk, Va. native. Smith wasted no time, one-touching a bender around her defender and into the right side of the goal. 

Smith's score would hold up as the game-winner, giving the fifth-year senior five on the season and 10 in her career. That moves her up into a tie with Kendall Dishaw for seventh most in program history, despite playing just two seasons with the Captains. 

Before the home team had any chance to recalibrate, the Captains tacked on a second goal for insurance just over four minutes later. Senior defender Sarah Rhiel snagged her team-leading sixth assist of the season when she stepped in and delivered an exceptional corner kick pass into the box where Eissenberg directed a header shot into the far panel of the goal. All six of Rhiel's career-best six helpers have come off corner kicks this season while Eissenberg picked up her second goal in as many games this weekend. In fact, Eissenberg had a goal and an assist in both contests for a six-point weekend. 

With a 2-0 lead, the Captains endured added pressure from the Red Hawks attack, attempting to rally from behind. After surrendering only one shot in the first half, the Captains gave up six in the second as the hosts clawed at a potential comeback, but the dominant defense of Jill McDonald, Re Slater, Nyah Savage, and Rhiel stymied any significant runs for the Red Hawks. Rookie Jackie Stallard also played in nearly 30 minutes along the back line to allow Rhiel a chance to move up into the midfield. 

Christopher Newport will host sectionals for just the second time in program history. More information including game times and ticket prices will be announced on CNUsports.com as it is made available.  

Postgame Interviews: