NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- In a matchup between two of the nine remaining undefeated teams in the nation, the second-ranked Christopher Newport women's soccer team earned a 1-0 win over the 12th-ranked Wisconsin-La Crosse Eagles (7-1-0). Sarah Smith notched her first goal of the season as the Captains improved to 9-0-0 on the season while earning Jamie Gunderson's 50th career win. 

Playing at Jennings Family Stadium for the first time in program history, the CNU Women's Soccer team made themselves right at home with a win on the turf field that serves as the home field for the Captains' nationally-ranked field hockey and lacrosse programs. Despite playing on a different pitch due to the impact of Tropical Storm Ophelia, the Captains ran their home unbeaten streak to 24 straight games without a loss. 

Coming into the contest, both teams were ranked among the national leaders in total shots attempted and corner kicks earned. In Saturday's contest, played on a damp, humid day with heavy wind gusts, the possession battle reigned supreme with only three corner kicks attempted by either side and only seven total shots on goal attempted by both teams combined. CNU held the decided advantage in total shots with a 13-4 edge, but the Eagles managed to put three of their four on target to force saves by rookie goalkeeper Amy Sidaway. 

Defensively, the Captains' suffocating back line won the battle against one of the nation's most potent attacks as Wisconsin-La Crosse entered the game averaging 3.14 goals per game and over 29 shots per contest. Reanna Slater, Nyah Savage, and Jackie Stallard played the full 90 minutes, while Kyleigh Gough moved into the back four in a second half that saw CNU shut out the Eagles with a single attempt from the field. The starting defense continues to impress this season, registering a seventh shutout in nine games this year. 

On the other end, the game would tilt in favor of the home team early in the contest as the Captains earned a quick corner kick just over six minutes into the game. On the first corner, Corinne Kulik and Hanna Heaton looked for a quick play outside but as Heaton drove into the box, her defender shoved away the chance and the Captains would have to reset for another corner kick. This time, Heaton took the reins with a perfect cross into the box that would set up Sarah Smith for the score. 

On the corner kick, Heaton's right-footed in-swinger sailed over the crowd on the near post before finding Smith battling for position in the middle of the goalmouth. She connected on the header, burying her first goal of the season off the corner kick assist to give the Captains a 1-0 lead. 

Battling through an injury in the first game of the season, Smith has slowly but surely increased her time on the field over the last four games. In her first home appearance of the year on Saturday, the All-American forward connected for her first goal of the year after leading the unbeaten Captains in scoring during the 2022 campaign. Her 21st career goal also stands as her 11th career game-winning strike to move her into a tie with Laura McFerrin (1997-00) and Emily Renkin (2004-06) with 11 career winners. 

Smith took three of the Captains' 13 shots with a pair on target. Heaton logged a team-high four attempts and earned her second career assist. 

The Captains start the year with a perfect 9-0-0 record for just the second time in program history, matching the national championship 2021 squad. The nine game winning streak is the eighth longest roll in program history. Gunderson collected his 50th career win faster than any coach in CNU Athletics history, improving to 50-0-4 through his first two and a half seasons. 

Christopher Newport will now hit the road for three straight games starting on October 1. The Captains travel to No. 24 Washington and Lee followed by matchups at Mary Washington (Oct 7) and Southern Virginia (Oct 10).