ST. MARY'S CITY, Md. -- Katie Abendschoen and Brooke Billhimer added their names to the history books, while four different Captains found the back of the cage as the sixth-ranked Christopher Newport field hockey team used another well-rounded effort to take down St. Mary's (Md.), 5-0, on Thursday evening at Jamie L. Roberts Stadium.

During the contest, Abendschoen and Billhimer each earned their 69th consecutive start. That established a new "Iron Man" record at CNU, topping the 68-game streak by Christopher Newport Hall of Famer Jacque Mayer, who started every contest during her tenure from 2004-07.

Fittingly, both standouts made a crucial impact on Thursday's contest. Abendschoen deposited her third goal of the year, while Billhimer notched her league-leading fifth defensive save.

Continuing her own historic streak, Courtney Hughlett picked up an assist on the game's first goal. That marked her seventh consecutive outing with at least one point, tying the sixth-longest run by a Captain in school history and the finest stretch in 11 years.

Maddison Steele also contributed her third multi-goal effort of the season and became just the 10th player in program history to reach 30 career strikes. Meanwhile, first-year stars Julia Oleyar and Gigi Stephan added their first collegiate goals.

With the victory, Christopher Newport improved to 12-1 on the season, while the setback dropped St. Mary's (Md.) to 7-10.

Early on, CNU controlled the tempo while keeping the pressure on SMC's back line. Building a barricade near midfield, Delaney Norr stripped a Seahawk and tight-roped along the left sideline during a successful clear. Later, Caroline Hughlett threw up a roadblock and forced a defender to run out of bounds before Lainey Pratzner took control of an aerial.

Capitalizing on the extra possessions, the Captains finally struck in the seventh minute. Off a restart, Courtney Hughlett carved her way through a crowd. Weaving between five Seahawks, she finally found a little space on the right side of the zone before connecting with Steele. On the doorstep, the senior quickly pulled to her right and ripped a reverse rocket inside the post for the game's first goal.

Looking for more, Christopher Newport continued to test St. Mary's defensive unit. Ellie Nuckols slipped free on a breakaway, but her ensuing shot was walled off by the keeper. Later, Emily Evans nearly connected on a redirect along the right post before securing a corner in the final minute. Unfortunately, Abendschoen's attempt just skipped past the pipe as the Captains carried a one-goal edge into the second stanza. 

With a fresh 15 minutes on the clock, St. Mary's attempted to flip the script. Serving as the aggressor, the Seahawks picked up five straight corners in the first four minutes of the period. Unfazed by the assault, Nuckols stole the show. Flying around the field, the second-year speedster helped silence the surge. Early on, she bolted out of the cage and forced an ill-timed pass, which led to a low-percentage shot that was blocked by Courtney Hughlett.

Moments later, Nuckols dipped low and deflected a feed before cutting off a second look at the top of the zone. Shortly thereafter, she applied immediate pressure on another corner before Billhimer cleaned up along the right post.

Looking to counter, Billhimer eventually cleared the zone and lofted a rainbow to Norr, who found Riley Iasiello bolting down the left side of the field. Alone with the goalie, the sophomore nearly converted, but her blast was set aside at the last second.

Trading runs, the Seahawks quickly orchestrated another attack, but Lily Kerr hit the deck on the inside and stymied the initial rush. Although the hosts picked up a corner for their efforts, Kerr went to a knee and blocked off the left post before Billhimer escorted the ball out of harm's way.

After clearing the circle, the Captains kept the ball away from the Seahawks. Abendschoen intercepted a pass along the defensive 25, while Caroline Hughlett got her stick on a long rip near midfield. Keeping possession, Courtney Hughlett picked the pockets of a midfielder, rolled through three defenders, and handed the ball back to the attack.

Although St. Mary's managed to facilitate one last rush before halftime, Morgan Shealer shrugged off the attack as the freshman picked off a seed that slipped inside the circle before any damage could be done.

Following the break, Christopher Newport began the second half with another defensive stand. Kicking things off, Courtney Hughlett grabbed possession of a deep roller while flanked by a pair of attackers. Moments later, Billhimer added a highlight-reel tackle as the senior dropped low and sent a streaker spinning head-over-heels during a dangerous rally along the right edge of the arc in the 33rd minute.

After the ground assault failed to generate any scoring opportunities, the Seahawks went to the sky, but Billhimer and Pratzner both intercepted aerials to keep a lid on the SMC attack.

Meanwhile, on the other end of the field, the Captains stretched their lead in the 37th minute. Setting up the play, Nuckols worked her way into the right corner after sliding past a defender along the sideline. In tight quarters, she cut a pass between two Seahawks as Avery Mast boxed out a third defender near the baseline.

After collecting the feed, Mast sent a pass inside to Steele. With a quick trigger, the senior immediately blasted a bomb along the right post for her second strike of the contest. 

Once again, the hosts tried to retaliate but had little success against the stout CNU back line. Nuckols stayed on the hip of an attacker during a roll along the right side of the arc, while Billhimer won possession of an insert after diving between a pair of attackers in the center of the zone.

Still marching forward, St. Mary's collected three straight corners, but Nuckols continued her starring role as the flyer. On the first attempt, she cruised to the top of the circle and blocked a shot. After Courtney Hughlett bottled up a second try on the interior, Nuckols caused havoc again while forcing a rushed pass, which led to a deep interception by Billhimer.

Entering the final minute of the third quarter, Christopher Newport struck again on the offensive side. This time, Kendall Gibson found a sliver of daylight while threading a long ball past seven sticks. On the interior, Oleyar took possession in front of the goalie and a second defender. Battling through contact, she managed to unload a turnaround tracer while tumbling to the turf for her first collegiate goal.

Staring at a 3-0 deficit, St. Mary's orchestrated another surge at the start of the fourth quarter, but Christopher Newport was focused on the shutout. Nuckols picked off a low liner, spun between a pair of Seahawks, and scampered up the left side of the field. Shortly thereafter, Mast brushed aside another clear, while Pratzner single-handedly broke up four rallies along the right sideline. Fittingly, on the final disruption, she connected with her sister as Sierra Pratzner took control and pushed the ball across midfield to help quiet the threat.

Following the defensive stand, Abendschoen put on a clinic in the 50th minute. Taking the ball along the left side of the field, she sidestepped a defender, cut past two more along the edge of the arc, and split the wickets of a fourth Seahawk inside the circle. After gaining some room, she rifled a laser past the keeper for the game's fourth goal.

With little left to prove, the visitors came back with one last exclamation point just before the horn sounded. In the final seconds, Steele stole possession, cut around a Seahawk, and unloaded a screamer that nearly broke the right post. Although the ball bounced away from the cage, Evans fought through contact on the interior before Stephan snatched the rebound and whipped a worm-burner inside the left pipe to ice the 5-0 triumph.

During the contest, CNU held a 25-9 advantage in shots and a 9-8 lead in penalty corners. Kerr finished the contest with four saves, while Ella Fallen completed the shutout with a spotless performance over the final eight minutes.

Christopher Newport will cap off its road trip on Saturday when the Captains travel to Washington and Lee for a 2 p.m. tilt.

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