NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- The longest active unbeaten streak in NCAA soccer came to a close on Saturday night as the University of Mary Washington (8-2-1) became the first team to take down the nationally-ranked Christopher Newport women's soccer team since 2019. CNU dropped a 1-0 decision to the Eagles on a mild fall evening at Captains Field, snapping a run of 51 consecutive home games without a loss. 

Facing the Coast-To-Coast Athletic Conference program for the 27th time, the win for Mary Washington ended a seven-game streak of victories for CNU in the all-time series. The Captains are 19-6-2 all-time against Mary Washington with the last win for the Eagles coming on November 6, 2019 -- that also stands as the last home loss the Captains suffered before running off 51 straight with a record of 46-0-5 since. 

You have to reach back even further to find the last time CNU suffered a regular season loss at home, with the home field dominance stretching all the way to October 23, 2016 against nationally-ranked Lynchburg. Since that 1-0 loss to the Hornets, Christopher Newport strung together 59 consecutive games without a loss with a 53-0-6 mark. 

On Saturday night, though, the Eagles put away a goal early in the second half and held on for the 1-0 win. Maci Landel scored with a little flick deep in the box after a lob pass from Ellen Shine from the middle of the field. It was one of five shots on-goal in the game for the visiting team and junior goalkeeper Amy Sidaway stopped the other four. 

Junior outside back Bella DiTommaso put together an exceptional outing for the Captains trying to create chances and had two of the finest offensive opportunities in the game. In the 61st minute, she found herself alone in the middle of the field and punished a blistering line drive through the crowded box toward the right side of the goal, but it was snared by the Mary Washington keeper. Then, minutes later, DiTommaso called her own number again and forced another save. 

As the second half waned, the Captains continued to get chances offensively, but the ball did not cooperate with the CNU attack. Senior Molly Seventko got loose after a gorgeous through ball on the right side but her rocketed shot was inches wide, slamming off the right post. Kyleigh Gough added another attempt that whistled wide left and earlier in the period, Lexi Hazelgrove had a header on a corner kick that somehow trickled over the crossbar. 

In the game, the Captains finished with a slight 12-8 advantage in total shots with a 7-1 edge in corner kicks. Both teams had five shots on-goal. 

The 51-game unbeaten streak stands as the tenth longest in NCAA Division III history and among the 20 lengthiest runs without a loss at any level (19th). 

CNU will look to bounce back for the first time this season with a matchup on the road Tuesday night at Southern Virginia University. The Captains will kickoff against the Knights at 7:00 p.m. in Buena Vista, Virginia.