NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- After wrapping up the weekend with a sweet 16 goals, the second-ranked Christopher Newport women's soccer team capped an impressive performance with a 4-0 win over Vassar College to advance to the NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Sectional Round next weekend. One of only 16 teams left playing in women's soccer for the fourth straight year and fifth time in the last six seasons, the Captains improved to 17-1-2 behind a four-point showing from junior midfielder Hanna Heaton and another standout showing by the CNU defense. 

After an NCAA Tournament-high 12 goals in the opening round against John Jay, the Captains put together another highlight-riddled second round win with a 4-0 victory on the home field. CNU scored once in the first half and tacked on three more after halftime for the final margin.

In the win, Heaton added to her record-breaking season with two more assists and chipped in a goal of her own for her seventh game this season with at least four points scored. Additionally, senior defender Reanna Slater came through with the game-winning goal while leading the vaunted CNU defense through 90 minutes of shutout soccer. It was the 14th clean sheet of the season for CNU who now has 13 shutouts in their last 16 NCAA Tournament games dating back to the start of 2021. Slater, along with senior Nyah Savage, has started all 16 of those matchups while helping CNU post a 14-0-2 record.

While the defense held strong, Slater, Savage, and sophomore Bella DiTommaso played all 90 minutes. Savage was making her record-tying 87th consecutive start, matching Keiley McCarthy's run from 2016-19. In goal, sophomore Amy Sidaway played the full 90 for a her tenth shutout of the season while making two saves. Vassar mustered just six shots in the contest against the CNU attack with only two on frame.

CNU captured the go-ahead goal in the 26th minute off the first of Heaton's two assists in the game. A corner kick was nearly cleared away but a bouncing ball found it's way back to the corner for Heaton and a second chance. This time, the junior found the head of Reanna Slater for a looping header over the goalkeeper and into the right side of the goal. 

Heaton nearly doubled the score with 17 minutes left in the first half on back-to-back chances. A treacherous bullet off her right foot whistled through the box from the top of the 18 and hammered off the left post. Then, on the rebound, she managed another hard rip, this time on target, but the goalkeeper smothered the chance. 

CNU took 14 first-half shots, including a brilliant first touch from Alex Dalakis in the 18th minute. After a nice spinning move on her defender to break free for an open shot, Dalakis' shot sailed wide right. 

In the second half, CNU added insurance goals in the 58th, 67th, and 90th minutes. Having just checked into the game, sophomore Alex Devers made sure her first touch of the second half counted. After Emma Ricci created an offensive opportunity with a run down the right side, her cross bounced across the goal mouth untouched. Before the ball could trickle out of bounds, Heaton saved it and spun back around for another cross. The lofted pass from the left side was the perfect height for Devers, with her back to the goal, to leap and connect on a header flick into the back of the net. 

The two were connected again just nine minutes later on a play that started on the left sideline. Heaton fed Devers for a give-and-go pass and the one-touch pass from Devers set Heaton free down the middle of the field. A pair of Brewers defenders challenged Heaton, but a hesitation move to her right freed the junior up for another fast-paced shot that crossed into the left side of the goal. 

The final score of the night came with just 17 seconds remaining on a counter attack after Vassar was playing to the final buzzer. Ellie Cox caught Corinne Kulik on a run through the defense with nothing but space in front of her. The fifth-year senior connected on her third goal of the weekend and ninth of the season with the breakaway finish to the right side. 

In total, CNU held a 23-6 advantage in shots attempted and a 12-2 lead in shots on-goal. Heaton, who played 84 minutes, took eight shots and put four on frame. 

Christopher Newport advances to face No. 6 Misericordia University (19-1-2) in the Round of 16 next weekend. The Cougars earned a sectional berth after a 3-1 win over Grove City in the first round and a 3-1 win against Ithaca on Sunday. Game times, location, and more will be announced at NCAA.com by Monday.