NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Celebrating one of the most accomplished senior classes in program, Christopher Newport, and arguably, NCAA history, the second-ranked CNU women's soccer team wrapped up a fourth consecutive undefeated regular season on Saturday night with a dominant 4-1 win over Salisbury University (5-5-7). The Captains scored twice in each half while being led by fifth-year senior Emma Ricci with her sixth assist and a dynamite goal of her own to close out the offensive outburst. 

The victory improved the nationally-ranked CNU women's soccer team to 14-0-2 to wrap up the 2024 regular season without a loss. The victory extended the NCAA Division III record unbeaten streak to 83 consecutive games without a loss (74-0-9). CNU also has recorded 41 consecutive home games without a loss in that stretch by going 36-0-5 at Captains Field. 

Prior to the game, a quintet of Captains were honored in a special pre-game Senior Day celebration. Seniors Hannah Calliott, Ellie Cox, Jaya Daniel, Maddie Rusinko, and Reanna Slater were on hand for their final home regular season game. Additionally, Ricci, Corinne Kulik, and Nyah Savage were also playing in their final home regular season game as fifth-year players for CNU. Six of the eight were eligible to play in the contest and all six made a significant impact in the final result. 

In the first half, it was Ricci to Kulik for the game's first goal on a clinical pass play from the right side. Lexi Hazelgrove started the play down the right side for Ricci, who stepped on the ball and beat a defender for a long run. Once she reached the top of the box, she centered the pass by a Sea Gulls defender and Kulik collected, turned, and fired a hard shot into the right side of the goal. It was the third time this season that Kulik connected on the first goal of the game and gave Ricci her sixth assist this season, moving her up to sixth on the all-time list with 21 career helpers. 

It was just minutes later when Salisbury evened the score with their lone goal of the contest on a restart just outside of the box. Rebecca Fairbanks took the first shot which skipped right in front of CNU goalkeeper Amy Sidaway and the sophomore made the save. Unfortunately, the ball squirted away to her right and Salisbury defender Alex Jankowski touched home the goal, marking just the sixth surrendered by the CNU defense this season. 

From there, the Captains defense was locked in. The two Salisbury shots were the only attempts allowed in the game by the back line, which is led by aforementioned seniors Slater and Savage. The duo also plays with junior Kyleigh Gough and sophomore Bella DiTommaso sharing the load defensively. 

The game was only tied for a little over five minutes of game time as the Captains responded quickly offensively. The second goal came from a similar position on the right side of the field, but this time it was junior Molly Seventko that started the play for the Captains. She received a dart of a pass from Hanna Heaton and drove by her defender. After getting to the goal line, she crossed a pass into the middle where Alex Dalakis got a first touch toward the goal and Lexi Hazelgrove pounded home the finish. 

After re-taking the lead, the Captains remained in control for the remainder of the contest. In the second half, CNU outshot the visiting Sea Gulls, 15-0, and pocketed two more scores. In the 63rd minute, senior Reanna Slater was able to punctuate her special day with a goal of her own when she headed home a corner kick from Heaton. Slater's first goal of the season sent the Captains celebration into a frenzy as Slater, a career defender notched just her second career score. Heaton picked up her 12th assist of the year with the picture-perfect helper, tying Emily Talotta in 2019 and CNU Athletics Hall of Famer Victoria Perry in 2016 for the second most assists in a single season. She is just one shy of Carson Pokorny (2017), Maxine Borris (2018), and Carly Utterback (2012) with 13 apiece for the program record. 

With the game in hand, the Captains had one more highlight to add to the celebratory evening. Emma Ricci, appearing in her 82nd career game, showcased her dangerous offensive ability for the fans once again. After a give-and-go pass with freshman Ellie Diehl at midfield, Ricci went to work. With about 50 yards between her and the goal, and a host of Salisbury defenders, the Captains' fifth-year senior from Winchester dropped the first with a hesitation dribble and sprinted by two more. With one to beat, sliding in for a potential tackle, Ricci timed the touch back to her right foot perfectly, leaped over the slide, and smoked an unstoppable laser into the far pocket of the goal. She connected on her fourth goal of the season and 18th of her career. 

Christopher Newport finished the game with a 33-2 advantage in total shots including a 16-2 lead in attempts on target. CNU forced 12 saves from the Salisbury keeper and took nine corner kicks to the Sea Gulls none. 

The Captains will now enjoy a lengthy break before taking the field again in California as part of the Coast-To-Coast Athletic Conference Championship. CNU will travel to play in the semifinal round on Friday, November 8. Full seeding, game information, and live coverage information will be released at C2Csports.com and CNUsports.com when it is made available by the hosts, UC Santa Cruz.