NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Adding a perfect punctuation mark to the regular season, the sixth-ranked Christopher Newport field hockey team capitalized on some outstanding work by the veteran members of the roster to lock up a 3-0 triumph over Mary Washington on a chilly Saturday afternoon at Jennings Family Stadium.

Celebrating Senior Day in style, fourth-year phenoms Maddison Steele and Brooke Billhimer found the back of the cage for the Captains, while Delaney Norr helped set the table for both of their strikes. Meanwhile, Katie Abendschoen and Lainey Pratzner teamed up with Billhimer on the back end to help secure the shutout.

Steele's strike also marked her ninth career game-winning goal, equaling former standouts Ashley Traylor, Courtney Fiest, and Diana Golden for the fifth-most in program history.

Along with senior stars, Caroline Hughlett added three points, while Emily Evans had a pair of assists. Additionally, Lily Kerr pocketed three saves while polishing off her 17th career shutout. That moved her into a tie for first-place on the program's all-time charts, matching the standard set by former All-American Bailey Lien from 2013-16.

With the victory, CNU capped off the regular season with a 14-1 record, while Mary Washington dropped to 11-7.

Early in the first quarter, the Eagles pushed the ball down the field, but Kendall Gibson poked a roller away along the right edge of the arc before Courtney Hughlett stole a feed at the top of the zone. Looking to escape the defensive end, Ellie Nuckols plucked the outlet pass and burst up the left sideline before spinning around a midfielder to complete the clear.

After flipping the field, Caroline Hughlett drew a corner in the seventh minute, but Abendschoen's rip was deflected by a defender on the doorstep. Moments later, Nuckols continued the surge with back-to-back attempts, but her initial blast was kicked away by the keeper before her follow-up shot was blocked in front of the cage.

Still marching forward, Morgan Shealer killed off a clear with an interception along the right sideline, but Steele's ensuing stinger was knocked down by an Eagle on the interior.

After surviving Christopher Newport's assault, Mary Washington tried to counter in the final minute of the period. An attacker wiggled free along the right baseline, but Courtney Hughlett went to the turf and made a diving stop to block the shot near the post. Although the visitors generated a corner, Nuckols prevented a clean look from the top of the arc before Kerr brushed aside an on-target tracer from the right side.

Still scoreless entering the second stanza, CNU kept a tight lid on UMW's offense. Building a blockade along the right sideline, Nuckols swatted a line drive out of the air before Pratzner bottled up a ground assault. Trying to capitalize, the hosts picked up back-to-back corners, but the Hughlett twins each had a laser turned away by the keeper. 

Unfazed by Mary Washington's back line, Christopher Newport never relented. Eventually, in the 21st minute, the Captains picked up another corner. This time, Norr flipped an insert to Caroline Hughlett, who settled the ball at the top of the arc. In a flash, the second-year star slipped a pass inside to Steele, who took care of the rest.

After grabbing possession, the senior unloaded a backhand bullet that slipped underneath the goalie but was handled by a defender on the end line. Although her initial shot was turned aside, Steele stuck with the play and secured a second-chance opportunity. With another try, she went to her forehand and unleashed a screamer from her knees to put CNU on the board.

Staring at a one-goal deficit, Mary Washington attempted to retaliate. Just three minutes later, the Eagles picked up their own corner, but the Captains were up to the challenge. Storming out of the cage, Nuckols and Courtney Hughlett blanketed the top of the arc and forced a low-percentage pass into the left corner. From there, Billhimer stole the feed, cut around an attacker, and connected with Riley Iasiello, who cleared the ball up the sideline.

After that point, CNU kept the ball planted on the offensive end. Courtney Hughlett tracked down a lengthy clear after out-running an attacker for a loose ball near midfield, while Avery Mast swiped possession from another Eagle and broke up a pass along the offensive 25. Shortly thereafter, Pratzner and Abendschoen disrupted a pair of runs along opposite boundaries to help keep the 1-0 lead entering halftime.

Following the break, CNU continued to suffocate the competition. Norr stood in the face of an Eagle near midfield and picked her pockets to prevent a surge in the 32nd minute. Later, Billhimer grabbed control of a centering feed that cut through the circle, while Nuckols chased down a streaker along the left sideline to kill off a breakaway opportunity.

Moments later, Nuckols came back with another interception near midfield before Caroline Hughlett jumped a passing lane in the exact same spot. Eventually, Hughlett flipped the field and found Evans, who ran a little give-and-go on the right side of the zone.

After securing the return feed, Hughlett stepped inside the circle and whistled a one-timer that bounced through traffic before settling into the back of the cage for a 2-0 advantage.

Still looking to break through, Mary Washington pieced together a dangerous scoring opportunity early in the fourth quarter. Off a penalty corner, an Eagle pumped a shot from the top of the zone, but Kerr made a solid save on the doorstep. Although the rebound popped free, Courtney Hughlett quickly pounced on the roller and threaded a pass to Pratzner, who found Iasiello bolting up the left sideline.

After that point, the Captains controlled possession and kept the ball pinned on their end of the field. Working the clock, the hosts killed off the majority of the fourth quarter while testing Mary Washington's defensive unit with a barrage of shots. Although the visitors held up against the onslaught, CNU eventually found another opening in the 56th minute.

Intercepting a clear attempt along the left sideline, Mast stole a pass and connected with Courtney Hughlett, who found Steele along the edge of the arc. Putting on a clinic, the senior torched a defender while passing the ball between her own legs to set up a reverse from the top of the circle. After flipping around, she smashed a shot towards the right post.

Although the initial attempt was punched away, Norr fought hard to collect the rebound while sprawled out on the turf following a physical confrontation with the goalie. Eventually, her efforts led to the squad's 13th corner attempt of the contest.

Looking to capitalize, Evans inserted the ball to Billhimer, who was stationed along the left edge of the arc. With some room to work, she pushed to her right, stopped on a dime, and rifled a rocket just out of the reach of Mary Washington's goalie for her second career strike.

With little left to prove, CNU went to work on the defensive end to close out the program's fourth straight shutout. On UMW's final corner of the game, Abendschoen and Caroline Hughlett double-teamed an Eagle at the top of the circle before Kerr and Gibson walled off the right post. Later, on Mary Washington's last surge, Billhimer stayed deep and took possession of a long hit that nearly sprung a 3-on-2 rush to ice the 3-0 victory.

Overall, Christopher Newport held a 39-4 advantage in shots and a 13-4 lead in corners.

CNU will return to action next Saturday when the Captains travel to No. 2 Salisbury for the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference Championship at 6 p.m.

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