NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- A thrilling burst at the end of the first half featured a pair of goals, both involving senior All-American Hanna Heaton, as the 13th-ranked Christopher Newport women's soccer jumped out to a 2-0 lead against Virginia Wesleyan University (9-3-2) and dominated possession to shut out their cross-water rivals on a crisp Fall night at Captains Field. Heaton had an assist on the game-winning goal, scored by Alex Devers, and added a goal of her own less than a minute later. 

The Captains improved to 10-1-2 overall this season after capturing the team's second straight win and extending a ten-game unbeaten streak against the Marlins. 

The goals were scored with exactly nine minutes remaining in the first half and 59 seconds later, the lead was doubled. Devers and Heaton went back-to-back with the fastest consecutive goals since CNU scored three straight goals in 1:23 against John Jay in the NCAA Tournament opening round last season. It was also the fastest back-to-back goals in a regular season game since Natalie Swarm scored twice in 46 seconds against Methodist University on September 11, 2022. 

Opening up the scoring, the Captains pieced together an impressive build to connect on the score off the foot of Alex Devers. Junior defender Bella DiTommaso started the run up the left side by finding rookie Julia Joyner on the sideline for a touch pass inside to Heaton. With a cagey move, Heaton spun on her defender and started to drive into the middle of the pitch; as another defender broke to close the gap, Heaton slipped an absolute dart through traffic to connect with Katy Bronski at the top of the box. Bronski slowed the pass, turned and found a wide open Devers at the top of the box and the junior forward did not miss, blistering a line drive into the left side of the goal. 

The score was Devers' fourth goal of the season and her second game-winning goal. Heaton logged her 27th career assist while Bronski picked up her second of the season and fourth career helper. 

Before fans could even finish cheering the first goal, the Captains doubled the lead less than a minute later on another play that started with DiTommaso on the outside. With Virginia Wesleyan trying to pop a ball up the field beyond rookie center back Malayah Warner, DiTommaso got to the ball first and challenged the first touch. On her second effort, she slid a pass up to Bronski who quickly found Heaton all alone in the attacking third of the field. With about 40 yards of green space in front of her, she clinically dissected the Virginia Wesleyan defense and drove by the final defender before trying to finesse a first shot into the right side. The Marlins keeper made the save, but the rebound landed right back at Heaton's feet for a second-chance opportunity and the Gloucester, Virginia native did not miss the second time around. 

Her 26th career goal was her fifth of the season and pushed her to the top of the scoring chart in 2025 with 14 points. 

With a 2-0 lead staked, the CNU defense took control for the remainder. A change in the starting lineup included the first career start for sophomore Avery Spell in the defensive midfield with senior Kyleigh Gough sliding back to center back beside Warner. With Addy Hennessy manning the outside, the five defensive players all logged full 90-minute performances to ensure the clean sheet. It marked the ninth shutout of the season as the back line surrendered only seven total shots and just two on frame. 

In goal, junior Amy Sidaway played full time as well, securing her 30th career shutout and becoming just the second player in program history to reach that milestone. The only other player to reach 30 shutouts in her career was Haley Eiser with 32 from 2018-21. She secured a pair of saves in the game, but perhaps one of her most challenging plays came on a corner kick when she punched away a chance at the top of the goalmouth through a load of contact from the Virginia Wesleyan attack. 

The Captains finished out the game with a 23-7 advantage in total shots including a 10-2 edge in shots on-goal. Heaton took a game-high six attempts with four on target while Spell added four total shots, including a missile early in the second half from long distance that was on frame. 

Playing in the penultimate home game of the season, the Captains improved to 7-1-0 in Newport News this season. The final game of the regular season at Captains Field comes up next with Senior Day scheduled for 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 18. CNU will welcome 12th-ranked Swarthmore College (11-1-2), who also picked up a win on Wednesday night against Dickinson.