FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- The Christopher Newport women's soccer team used an unrelenting assault to capture the team's eighth straight victory to start the season on Wednesday night, downing Methodist University by a final score of 1-0. Junior midfielder Ellie Cox put away the winner in the 79th minute as part of a 34-shot effort by the CNU offense. 

With the win, the Captains matched the 2000 version of the squad for the second most consecutive wins to start a season. The program record to start a year, 13 wins, was set in 2021 and also ranks as the fourth longest win streak overall. CNU is now 8-0-0 for just the third time in program history. 

Additionally, the nationally-ranked CNU squad recorded their sixth shutout in the first eight games for just the third time (2000, 2019) in program history. Rookie Amy Sidaway earned the clean sheet in goal by making one save on just three shots faced as the CNU defense swarmed the Methodist attack. Reanna Slater, Nyah Savage, and Jackie Stallard each played the full 90 minutes in front of Sidaway to keep her night quiet, diffusing any potential threats before they could mount. 

Offensively, the Captains took 34 total shots and put 13 on target while being led by fifth-year senior Sarah Smith with seven total shots. Cox added five while ten total CNU players registered multiple shots in the game. In the first half, CNU put seven shots on frame turned away by Carolina Simpkins six times and once by a defender on the line. The Monarchs switched goalkeepers at the break, but the backup added five more saves with just the single goal allowed. 

After a non-stop attack for the first 75 minutes, the Captains would finally break through in the 79th minute on a nice build from the back line. Savage played a ball up the left side that bounced beyond the last line of defense for Corinne Kulik. With space in front of her, Kulik sprinted toward the end line with the ball before centering the pass back into the box for Cox, who finished for her first goal of the season.

Cox ranks fourth on the team in total attempts so far this season with 21 shots and connected for the game-winning goal on Wednesday night. Kulik snagged her second assist of the year and ties Alex Devers for the team lead in scoring with six points so far. 

Christopher Newport will return home for a single game this weekend, taking on nationally-ranked Wisconsin-La Crosse this Saturday, September 23. La Crosse enters the matchup, set to kick-off at Noon, ranked No. 12 in the nation. with a perfect 7-0-0 record.