York (Pa.): Live Stats // Video Stream
Rhodes: Live Stats // Video Stream

YORK, Pa. -- After climbing to the No. 1 spot in the NFHCA National Coaches Poll for the first time in program history, the top-ranked Christopher Newport field hockey team will face a jam-packed weekend as the Captains travel to No. 13 York (Pa.) for an 11 a.m. test on Saturday at Kinsley Field before hosting Rhodes on Sunday at noon at Jennings Family Stadium.

CNU enters the weekend with a 9-0 record, while York (Pa.) is 5-4. Meanwhile, Rhodes sits at 2-3 and will square off with Mary Washington on Saturday before making the trek to Newport News.

For those fans unable to attend the games, live stats and a video stream of both contests will be available. Direct links can be found at the top of this release and on the schedule page.

This weekend's slate marks just the fourth time in program history that CNU has played games on back-to-back days in two different states. The Captains have not faced a multi-state double-dip since 2017 when the team beat Bridgewater in Virginia and Rhodes in Maryland on September 16 and 17. Meanwhile, the 2011 squad had consecutive contests in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, while the 2010 team had a quick trip to Delaware and Maryland.

Christopher Newport is coming off a swing through New Jersey last weekend. During a pair of games in the Garden State, the Captains took down Montclair State, 5-0, before upending No. 10 Stevens, 2-1. Sophomore Kelly Via connected on the game-winning goal in both contests after sinking the opening strike against the Red Hawks on Saturday before driving home the final blow against the Ducks on Sunday.

Coupled with her shootout tally against Messiah on September 20, Via became just the fifth Captain in school history to notch the game-winning goal in three straight contests.

Along with Via's work, Emily Evans scored a goal in both games last weekend, while Courtney Hughlett added an assist in each contest. With her performance, Hughlett reached 24 career helpers, moving past former All-American Courtney Fiest for the third-most in school history.

On the other end of the field, Lily Kerr improved to 9-0 on the season while pocketing three saves, including a crucial second-half stop against Stevens on Sunday. Her win against the Ducks marked her 54th career triumph, tying fellow All-American Bailey Lien for the highest total in school lore.

Entering Saturday, the Captains are one of only two undefeated teams in the nation, joining No. 5 Bates, who sits at 8-0. Meanwhile, Christopher Newport boasts the country's second-ranked scoring defense (0.43 goals-against-average) and seventh-ranked scoring offense (3.89 goals-per-game). Additionally, CNU's seven shutouts are tied for the most in the country, equaling the amount produced by Dickinson and Rochester.

York (Pa.) has faced one of the country's most challenging schedules so far this season. The Spartans' four losses have come at the hands of No. 3 Johns Hopkins, No. 4 Salisbury, No. 9 Stevens, and No. 20 Lynchburg. The setback against the third-ranked Blue Jays came in a double-overtime thriller, while York also posted an overtime win against Swarthmore, who was ranked 22nd in the country at the time.

So far this season, Kelbie Linebaugh leads York (Pa.) with six goals, while Jade Haines has three assists. On the back end, Becca Olsen has compiled six defensive saves, which places her fourth in the entire NCAA. Meanwhile, Abby Smith has a .719 save percentage and 1.69 goals-against-average.

Although Rhodes sits at 2-3 on the season, both of the squad's victories have come on the road after the Lynx upended Wittenberg and Roanoke earlier in the year. Selected second in the Collegiate Field Hockey Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, the team is the league's reigning regular season champion after posting a pristine 5-0 mark during the 2024 campaign.

Through five games this year, Alder Dickey leads Rhodes with eight points, while Bella Spina has two goals and a pair of assists. Between the pipes, Caroline Naifeh has a .727 save percentage and 1.80 goals-against-average. The sophomore has collected 24 total saves, including 14 against Washington and Lee on September 13.

Christopher Newport is 13-0 all-time against Rhodes, including a 4-0 triumph during a neutral-site game in Salem, Virginia last year. Additionally, the Captains are 8-3 in games against York (Pa.). CNU picked up two wins against the Spartans in 2024, including a 1-0 overtime victory during the NCAA Sweet 16.

After this weekend, the Captains will return to action on October 8 with a home bout against No. 4 Salisbury beginning at 4 p.m.

---ISH---