NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Like two heavyweights trading blows in a prize fight, a pair of nationally-ranked women's soccer teams riding double-digit win streaks each had their chances but ultimately the match between third-ranked Christopher Newport and 15th-ranked Washington and Lee would end in a scoreless draw. Playing on a beautiful, seasonal afternoon at Captains Field, the Captains extended their shutout streak to seven straight games while their overall record runs to 12-0-2 on the season. 

Coming into Sunday afternoon's matchup, the Captains had won 12 in a row and the Generals had picked off 11 straight opponents. Two of only six active win streaks that had reached 10 games or more both came to an end after neither team could find the back of the net. With the result, though, Christopher Newport extends the NCAA Division III record for consecutive games without a loss to 81 (72-0-9). 

Additionally, the Captains inflated the second longest shutout streak to over 700 minutes with the seventh straight clean sheet. CNU leaned on its vaunted defense throughout the contest with Reanna Slater, Kyleigh Gough, Nyah Savage, and Bella DiTommaso all registering 90 minute efforts on the back line. Sophomore goalkeeper Amy Sidaway played the full 90 in goal as well, making just one, albeit a game-saving highlight-reel save. 

The back line kept Sidaway out of the action for the majority of the contest, but in the 39th minute, Washington and Lee got loose down the right side for a blazing shot by Helen Otteni. The attempt from inside the box forced Sidaway into a leaping save, reaching the shot with her finger tips and tipping away the would-be go-ahead strike. The Generals added another header off the ensuing corner kick, but Sarah Zimmerman's shot was blocked by a CNU defender. 

Washington and Lee held the advantage in the first half with five shots to two, but CNU reversed the script in the second half with an onslaught against the Generals defense with an 8-1 advantage in total attempts. The Captains put half of those shots on frame, but countless more opportunities were built in the second stanza as Christopher Newport looked to capture the first goal of the game. 

Standouts included junior Molly Seventko, who worked the right side of the field repeatedly, creating chances for CNU to build attempts in just 18 minutes of action. Emma Ricci also had a strong performance in the same position, while Corinne Kulik had a ferocious motor during the contest as she sprinted through 50-50 balls on the ground to create chances. 

The Captains had several close calls including a beautiful pass from Hanna Heaton over the top to Ricci early in the first half. Ricci was all alone with just the keeper to beat, but her touch beyond came through contact and trickled wide of the net. Heaton had a similar play late in the second half when she worked her way through a host of Generals defenders before trying to work around a shielding player. After contact, a foul was whistled against the Captains despite the hard-nosed effort by the Gloucest, Va. native. 

Kulik had back-to-back rips on target in the middle portion of the second half and Ellie Cox added another blistering attempt from inside the box that was smothered by the W&L goalkeeper.

Christopher Newport has two games remaining in the regular season and will play both at home. On Tuesday, October 22 the Captains will welcome Methodist University at 5:00 p.m. before closing out the regular slate on Saturday, October 26 against Salisbury University at 5:00 p.m.