NFHCA Poll
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- After completing an undefeated regular season with a perfect 17-0 record, the Christopher Newport field hockey team remained at the top of the NFHCA National Coaches Poll for the sixth consecutive week as the Captains were slotted first in the latest rankings, which were released by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association on Tuesday morning.
In addition to retaining the No. 1 spot in the poll, CNU also garnered all 19 first-place votes for the fifth straight week. Behind the Captains, Johns Hopkins continued to hold down the No. 2 position, while Babson, Tufts, and Salisbury rounded out the top-five.
Facing one of the most challenging schedules in the country, Christopher Newport registered seven victories against teams currently ranked in the top-25. During the regular season, the Captains knocked off No. 2 Johns Hopkins, No. 5 Salisbury, No. 10 Stevens, No. 14 Rowan, No. 17 Williams, No. 21 Washington and Lee, and No. 25 York (Pa.).
Putting that into perspective, CNU was the only program in the nation to beat a pair of top-five teams during the regular season. Additionally, the Captains joined Tufts as the only squads with three top-10 triumphs. Meanwhile, Christopher Newport and Johns Hopkins were the only teams to knock off at least seven nationally-ranked teams during the year.
Despite the never-ending gauntlet of top-flight competition, CNU wrapped up the regular season ranked first in the nation in scoring defense with a 0.34 goals-against-average. Overall, the team's 13 shutouts equaled the country's highest total during the regular season, while Christopher Newport's .887 save percentage was the second-best mark in the NCAA.
Equally adept on the offense end, the Captains currently sit 19th in the country in scoring offense with a 3.47 goals-per-game rate. CNU is also eighth in assists per game (2.94) and seventh in corners per contest (11.18).
The first Division III program to complete an undefeated regular season since 2023, Christopher Newport will remain idle until the unveiling of the NCAA Tournament bracket, which is slated for November 9 at 9 p.m.
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