NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Lindsey Loar registered her second career hat-trick, while Courtney Hughlett starred on both ends of the field as the top-ranked Christopher Newport field hockey team capped off an action-packed 24-hour stretch with a 4-0 victory over Rhodes on a sizzling Sunday afternoon at Jennings Family Stadium.

Adding her name to the history books, Loar sank three goals against the Lynx, including the opening strike just four minutes into regulation. Coupled with her three-goal eruption against Virginia Wesleyan on September 25, 2023, she became only the eighth Captain to record multiple hat-tricks. In that exclusive group, she joined CNU Hall of Famer Wendy Wilson, All-Americans Abby Asuncion and Ashley Traylor, current teammate Emily Evans, and former stars Megan McCreedy, Kelsey Clark, and Lauren Cheatham.

Making her performance even more impressive, it came just 24 hours after CNU knocked off No. 13 York (Pa.) during a road bout in Pennsylvania. Loar also deposited the game-winner against the Spartans on Saturday while becoming the second player in program history to score a goal on back-to-back days in two different states. Previously, only longtime legend Katelyn Yandle accomplished that feat after she found the back of the cage against Wesley in Delaware on October 2 and Washington College in Maryland on October 3 during the 2010 campaign.

Aided by her work during the weekend, Loar posted her 20th career goal on Sunday, becoming just the 22nd Captain to reach that plateau.

Along with Loar, Hughlett handed out a pair of assists, which marked her third career game with multiple helpers. Meanwhile, on the opposite end of the field, Hughlett bottled up a penalty corner with a blocked shot in the fourth quarter. Kendall Gibson also deflected Rhodes' first attempt of the game in the second period.

Rounding out Sunday's statistical stars, Riley Iasiello flashed pinpoint precision while collecting her fifth goal of the year during the first quarter. Avery Mast and Ellie Nuckols also handed out assists to cap off the scoring.

With the win, Christopher Newport improved to 11-0 on the season, while the setback dropped Rhodes to 2-5.

In the opening quarter, CNU set the tone with a quick assault. Securing a corner in the fourth minute, the hosts immediately capitalized. On the insert, Nuckols connected with Mast, who tapped the ball to Hughlett. With a defender over-pursuing, Hughlett spun past the flyer, cut around a second defender, and shoveled the ball to Loar. On the inside, Loar kicked off her afternoon by redirecting the pass around the keeper for a fast 1-0 lead.

Four minutes later, the Captains came back for more. Following another corner, Mast stopped a long insert near the 25. Winding up from deep, the sophomore star hammered a rocket towards the cage. Down low, the missile deflected off a defender and shot out to Iasiello, who was stationed along the right post. After settling the spinner, she found a sliver of space underneath the stick of a second defender and between the pads of the keeper, who attempted a diving save along the doorstep.

Holding a 2-0 lead entering the second quarter, CNU put its defense on display over the next 15 minutes. On an early rush by Rhodes, two attackers leaked free on the back end, but Morgan Shealer knocked the ball away at the last second before Hughlett grabbed it and cleared the circle. Shortly thereafter, Nuckols caught up to a streaker on the left sideline before Hughlett came back to stone a lengthy rip at the edge of the arc.

Entering the final minute of the first half, Mast stole possession from an attacker in the right corner. Then, off a restart, Gibson stayed in front of a shooter with tight pressure before deflecting an attempt just inside the circle, which helped end the period.

Continuing the defensive wizardry after the break, Christopher Newport threw up roadblocks all over the field. On an early jailbreak, Shealer tied up an attacker near midfield before Gibson swooped in and grabbed the ball. Then, Hughlett dipped low with a tackle near the left sideline, while Kate Engle jumped in front of a defender and picked off a roller near the offensive 25.

Still starring later in the period, Kelly Via disrupted a pass near the center stripe after splitting a pair of Lynx on a clear attempt by the visitors. Moments later, Brylee Johnston flashed her wheels. Following back-to-back interceptions by Loar and Hughlett, Johnston outran two midfielders and cleared the defensive end with consecutive sprints up the left boundary.

Entering the fourth quarter fostering a two-goal edge, CNU went back to work on the offensive side. Less than a minute into the final stanza, the Captains generated another corner. This time, Caroline Hughlett settled a bouncer at the top of the circle before threading a needle to her sister while splitting two defenders with a pass.

After taking the feed, Courtney Hughlett pushed up the right side and lifted a shot, which Loar deflected on the interior for her second strike of the contest.

Later, Christopher Newport showcased its youth on both sides of the field. Defensively, freshman Emma Weber snatched a roller along the right sideline and bottled up a rush near the arc. Moments later, on the opposite end, Victoria Trejo-Wearden unleashed a screamer that just caught the pipe. Battling for the rebound, Hailey Ward prevented a defender from slipping out the left side of the circle. After stopping the clear, she fought along the baseline before wrenching the ball away from her opponent.

With another opportunity, Evans and Iasiello pounded away on the inside. Although the visitors made a series of saves, CNU eventually picked up one final corner in the 58th minute. Taking advantage, Evans connected with Courtney Hughlett, who drew a defender towards the right side of the zone before flipping a feed back to Nuckols.

Uncorking a dart, Nuckols whipped a one-timer towards the cage. On the inside, Loar screened the goalie and just got the tip of her stick on the ball, which set the shot spinning between the keeper's legs for her final tally.

With little left to prove, Christopher Newport capped off the shutout after withstanding a corner in the final minute of regulation. After the Lynx attempted to work the ball around the circle, Courtney Hughlett stayed with the action and blocked the ensuing shot from the right side of the arc to lock up the 4-0 win.

Overall, CNU held a 35-2 advantage in shots and a 10-1 edge in corners.

The Captains will return to action on Wednesday at 4 p.m. when Christopher Newport hosts No. 4 Salisbury at Jennings Family Stadium.