Live Stats // Video Stream
POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. -- The fifth-ranked Christopher Newport field hockey team will hit the road this weekend when the Captains travel to New York for a non-conference showdown at Vassar, which will begin at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday at Weinberg Turf Field.
Entering the match-up, CNU sits at 6-0 overall and 3-0 on the road. Meanwhile, Vassar is 2-6 with a 2-2 mark at home.
For those fans unable to attend the game, live stats and a video stream of the action will be available at VassarAthletics.com. Direct links to both features can be found at the top of this release and on the schedule page.
Christopher Newport improved to 6-0 for just the third time in program history after knocking off No. 9 York (Pa.), 2-1, on Sunday. Against the Spartans,
Caroline Hughlett deposited her second penalty stroke of the season, becoming just the ninth player in program history to record two or more in a single campaign. Meanwhile,
Katie Abendschoen landed the game-winning tally off a penalty corner in the 29th minute.
Along with the offensive standouts,
Lily Kerr contributed five saves, while
Brooke Billhimer added an award-winning performance. The senior assisted on Abendschoen's tally while adding a defensive save in the third quarter. With that performance, she became the 10th Captain to record an assist and save in the same contest. Fittingly, she was honored as the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week for that showcase.
In addition to Billhimer,
Delaney Norr was also celebrated by the league office on Monday. She was named the conference's Offensive Player of the Week after notching a career-high five points in a 4-0 win over Ohio Wesleyan on Friday.
So far this season, CNU ranks fifth in the NCAA in scoring defense (0.50 goals-against-average) and ninth in save percentage (.864). The Captains are also one of just three teams in the entire NCAA that has scored at least two goals and allowed one or less in every game this year. In that group, Christopher Newport is joined by North Carolina and Middlebury.
The 2024 squad is also just the third team in school history to allow one goal or less in each of its first six games. Previously, only the 2010 and 2023 squads had accomplished that feat.
Vassar has been led by a terrific back line, which ranks 10th in the nation with seven defensive saves. Leading the way, Giana Hoover has contributed five of those stops, which places her fourth on the individual NCAA charts. Margo Gramiak and Alexa Gwyn have also turned away on-target attempts, while Grace Wiley has a 3.00 goals-against-average and .684 save percentage during her time between the pipes.
On the offensive end, the Brewers have received a team-high four goals from Sofia Beseth, who is a reigning All-Liberty League performer. Tori Baker also has three tallies for Vassar, while Gwyn has three assists.
In three previous meetings between the two programs, Christopher Newport holds a pristine 3-0 record. Last year, the Captains picked up a 6-1 win in Newport News. Both Caroline and
Courtney Hughlett registered a goal during that victory, while
Lindsey Loar chipped in with three points of her own.
Following the lengthy road trip, CNU will return home on October 5 for a noon test against Centre.
---ISH---
