Video Broadcast // Live Stats
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- The 11th-ranked Christopher Newport field hockey team will return home on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. when the Captains host St. Mary's (Md.) in a non-conference contest at Jennings Family Stadium.
Entering the weekend, CNU sits at 4-0 overall, including 3-0 at home. Meanwhile, St. Mary's (Md.) is 3-1 with a 2-0 mark on the road.
For those fans unable to attend the game, Christopher Newport will provide a live broadcast of the action through CNU's official YouTube channel. Additionally, live stats will be available at CNUsports.com. Direct links to both features can be found at the top of this release and on the schedule page.
The Captains return home after knocking off Bridgewater, 4-0, on Wednesday. During the squad's first road tilt of the year,
Katie Abendschoen deposited a pair of strikes, while
Abby Asuncion landed her 41st career goal, which equaled the school's all-time record. That tally also marked Asuncion's 12th career game-winner, tying Christopher Newport Hall of Famer Caitlin Cahill for the most in program history.
Along with the veterans, freshman
Courtney Hughlett scored for the second straight game, while
Caroline Hughlett added an assist. That marked her third consecutive contest with at least one point.
Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the field, Christopher Newport limited Bridgewater to only four shots.
Lily Kerr and
Ella Fallen combined for three saves, while
Brooke Billhimer deflected an attempt off a corner. Overall, the Captains stymied all six of the Eagles' corner attempts during the game, including tremendous work by
Ellie Nuckols as the flyer on back-to-back tries in the third period.
So far this season, CNU ranks 12th in the NCAA in goals-against-average with a 0.50 mark. The squad also sits eighth in the nation with a .909 save percentage, while the team's 3.75 goals-per-game average is the 19th-highest in the country.
Equally impressive on the defensive side, St. Mary's is tied with the Captains for 12th in the NCAA with a 0.50 goals-against-average. On an individual level, Caroline McDonald has a .786 save percentage and 0.84 goals-against-average while boasting 11 saves, including six in a bout against No. 13 York (Pa.) on September 9.
The Seahawks are coming off of a 2-0 win at Randolph-Macon on Wednesday after posting a 2-1 triumph at No. 16 Washington & Lee in the season opener on September 1. The squad also shut out Virginia Wesleyan, 3-0, on September 6. Brenna Ziegler has a team-high three goals after scoring once in each of the squad's three victories. Additionally, Audrey Dickens has a pair of assists. while Briana Allen deposited the game-winner against the nationally-ranked Generals.
In 18 previous meetings between the two programs, Christopher Newport holds a 16-2 edge in the series, including 12 consecutive victories. The Captains notched a 4-0 win in the last meeting on September 25, 2021. During that contest, Abendschoen,
Lainey Pratzner, and
Chloe Thompson all found the back of the cage for the victors.
After this weekend, CNU will remain at home on September 20 for a 6 p.m. tilt against No. 22 Catholic.
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