NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- On a beautiful Fall late morning turned afternoon at Captains Field on Saturday, the top-ranked Christopher Newport women's soccer team picked up the team's third consecutive shutout with a 1-0 win over Stevens Institute of Technology. The Captains improved to 8-0-1 overall this season, powered by a first-half goal from team-leading scorer Sarah Smith. 

The Captains withstood an early surge by the Ducks (1-4-3) before rallying for control midway through the opening period. In the 21st minute, the CNU attack took advantage of a counter-attack to get on the board first. Emily Talotta was alone with the ball at her feet in the midfield; with time to make a decision, the senior midfielder played a superb pass into the corner for rookie Molly Seventko. The freshman got to the ball and crossed her first touch into the center of the box where Smith was left unmarked. She settled the pass and chipped the goalkeeper for the goal. 

The eighth goal of the year for Smith held up as her third game-winning strike of the season. Her eighth career winner moved her into a tie for tenth all-time at CNU with Emily Chesbro (2006-09) and Carson Pokorny (2016-19). She now has 17 points in her second year wearing the Royal Blue and Silver, and 38 for her career. 

With her helper, Talotta moved into a tie for third all-time at CNU with 24 career assists, matching Ashleigh Dota (2002-05) and Maxine Borris (2002-05). Seventko continues her strong start to the season with her fourth assist. 

After the tally, the Captains continued the pressure offensively. Rookie Kate Eissenberg played an impressive ball out of the defense over the top of the Stevens back line for Smith again. Her shot went high, but the chances continued to mount. With just over 15 minutes left, Smith slipped a hard shot between the keeper and the right post, but it glanced back into play. Her second attempt was on frame but cleared off the line by a Ducks defender. 

Christopher Newport carried the momentum into the second half, where Seventko nearly made it 2-0 less than two minutes into the second stanza. Smith played the freshman onsides for a sprint into the box, but her last touch proved a bit too heavy and the keeper slid out for the stop. About eight minutes later, Abby Harrigan played her on again for another one-on-one opportunity, but her touch around the keeper trickled too long. 

While the offense pressured the Stevens defense all day long, the Captains back line put together a tremendous effort against a very talented Ducks offense. Sophomore goalkeeper Jaya Daniel secured her second straight shutout by making a career-high six saves. One of those chances came with about ten minutes left in the game when Rachel Rouse took a shot from the right side. Daniel made the save, but the ball stayed in the six with two Stevens players ready for the rebound. Evading disaster, sophomore Re Slater stepped up and cleared the ball away with a tremendous defensive stop on the open goal. 

Slater had just checked in about ten minutes earlier for her first action of the season. The 22-game starter from last year's team made a triumphant return after being held out for injury through the first eight games this year. 

Also helping secure the clean sheet was Jill McDonald, Kate Eissenberg, Nyah Savage, and Sarah Rhiel, along with midfielder Ellie Cox. 

Christopher Newport will return to action on Wednesday, September 28 at 4:30 p.m. when they travel to Roanoke College. The Captains will be on the road for four straight before returning home on October 19 against Mary Washington.