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HARTFORD, Conn. -- Back in the NCAA Semifinals for the second time in school history, the top-ranked Christopher Newport field hockey team will square off against No. 6 Tufts in the Final Four at noon on Friday at Robin L. Sheppard Field in Hartford, Connecticut.

Entering the contest, CNU sits at 19-0 on the season, including 10-0 on the road. Meanwhile, Tufts is 17-3 with an 8-1 mark on the road.

Tickets for the contest are $10 for adults and $7 for students and seniors. Additionally, for those unable to attend, there will be a live broadcast of the game with Drew Casey and Kara Lentz calling all of the action on NCAA.com. A direct link can be found at the top of this release and on the schedule page.

Christopher Newport secured its spot in the Final Four after opening the playoffs with a pair of victories at Jennings Family Stadium last weekend. On Saturday, CNU knocked off No. 17 Lynchburg, 2-1, in an overtime thriller before upending No. 5 Salisbury, 1-0, in the NCAA Quarterfinals on Sunday.

Against the Hornets, Courtney Hughlett assisted on a pair of goals after setting up a second-quarter strike by Emily Evans and the overtime game-winner by Lindsey Loar in the 63rd minute. With her two helpers, Hughlett bumped her season total to 15, which established a new program record and vaulted her to fifth on the national charts in 2025.

Her final assist on Saturday also marked Hughlett's 34th career helper, moving her past CNU Hall of Famer Belle Tunstall for the most in school history.

On Sunday, Caroline Hughlett and Riley Iasiello teamed up on the game's lone goal in the win over Salisbury. Following a penalty corner, Hughlett connected with Iasiello, who redirected the shot along the right post while recording her third game-winner of the year.

Along with the offensive heroes in the first two battles of the NCAA Tournament, the defense was equally impressive. The Captains surrendered just six total on-target shots despite facing a pair of opponents that ranked among the national leaders in goals-per-game. Lynchburg finished the season slotted second nationally in scoring offense (4.58 goals-per-contest), while Salisbury concluded the year ranked sixth (3.93).

On the back end, Kerr hauled in five saves last weekend, while Avery Mast blocked three shots, including a pair against the Sea Gulls. Courtney Hughlett also rejected a rip in the 1-0 win over Salisbury.

Including the games last weekend, Christopher Newport has played eight total contests this season against teams currently ranked in the top-25 in scoring offense. Against those high-powered attacks, CNU has surrendered just 0.48 goals per game, including shutouts against Washington and Lee, Rowan, Mary Washington, and Salisbury.

Across all 19 outings this season, the Captains have a 0.36 goals-against-average, which is the top mark in the NCAA. The team also slots second in save percentage (.881), fifth in penalty-corners-per-contest (11.05), sixth in scoring margin (2.79), and 23rd in goals-per-game (3.26).

Adding even more luster to the program's accomplishments this season, Christopher Newport is the first program to advance to the Final Four without the backing of a conference in 25 years. After spending their first 13 seasons as an independent program from 2000-12, the Captains returned to their roots this fall after the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference stopped sponsoring the sport following the 2024 campaign.

Without a conference schedule, CNU embarked on an entertaining journey throughout the regular season, which included trips to Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. In total, the program's 10 road trips covered just over 4,400 miles - or the equivalent of a one-way excursion from Newport News, Virginia to Anchorage, Alaska.

Along the way to their spot in the Final Four, the Captains have nine victories over programs that captured their conference championship in 2025, including two wins against Salisbury and single triumphs over Denison, Johns Hopkins, Lynchburg, Mary Washington, Rowan, Stevens, and St. Mary's (Md.). Christopher Newport has also knocked off seven teams that finished the year ranked in the top-25 of the NFHCA National Coaches Poll after turning away No. 2 Johns Hopkins, No. 5 Salisbury, No. 10 Stevens, No. 13 Rowan, No. 17 Lynchburg, No. 18 Williams, and No. 22 Washington and Lee.

On the other side of the field, Tufts enters the NCAA Semifinals on a three-game roll. The Jumbos opened the national playoffs with a commanding 11-0 win over Dean, which equaled the Division III record for goals in an NCAA Tournament game. Then, over the weekend, the team set aside a pair of NESCAC rivals after upending No. 18 Williams, 2-1, in double-overtime before beating No. 4 Bates, 3-1, on Sunday.

The Jumbos were the only road team to advance to the Final Four after they knocked off the Bobcats in Lewiston, Maine. CNU, Johns Hopkins, and Babson all served as hosts last weekend.

Boasting one of the country's most potent attacks, Tufts ranks eighth nationally with a 3.50 goals-per-game rate. Remarkably well-balanced, the team has seven players with double-digit point totals. Headlining that group, Hannah Biccard has 16 goals and five assists, while Eleanor Helm has compiled 12 tallies and seven helpers.

Just as dominant on the other end of the field, Tufts also features the nation's 21st-ranked scoring defense, which is allowing just 1.03 goals per game. Lydia Eastburn has a .759 save percentage and 1.04 goals-against-average, while Claire Casey and Camille Clarke have combined for five defensive saves, including a pair against Bates on Sunday.

A perennial power, Tufts advanced to the NCAA Championship last year before falling to Middlebury, 2-1, in the title bout. That was one of six previous Final Four appearances for the Jumbos, who captured the national crown in 2012.

CNU and Tufts have only met twice before with the Jumbos capturing back-to-back wins in 2014 and 2015.

The winner of Friday's contest will advance to the NCAA Championship, which will be held on Sunday at noon. The other semifinal match-up features No. 2 Johns Hopkins and No. 3 Babson. That game will complete Friday's twin bill at 3:30 p.m.

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