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NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- The sixth-ranked Christopher Newport field hockey team will kick off the 2025 campaign with a pair of games during an action-packed opening weekend as the Captains host Bridgewater on Friday at 6 p.m. before squaring off with No. 5 Johns Hopkins in a neutral-site tilt on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Mary Washington's Battleground Turf Field.

Friday's game will serve as the opener for both CNU and Bridgewater, while Johns Hopkins will host Washington and Lee on Friday at 7 p.m. before battling the Captains in Fredericksburg on Sunday.

Kicking off the year with a familiar foe, Christopher Newport will face Bridgewater in the season opener for the fifth time since 2015. The Eagles also served as CNU's first test in 2018, 2021, and 2022. Overall, the Captains are 4-0 against Bridgewater in season openers and 19-2 all-time against the Eagles.

The two programs last met in 2023 when Christopher Newport registered a 4-0 victory at Bridgewater. During that contest, Courtney Hughlett scored the game's final goal, Caroline Hughlett chipped in with an assist, and Lily Kerr added a pair of saves to earn the victory. Ella Fallen also brushed aside an on-target shot during a pristine fourth quarter to polish off the shutout.

Following Friday's clash, CNU will reignite its rivalry with Johns Hopkins after a four-year lull in the series. The two programs last met in 2021 when the Blue Jays notched a 4-3 win in Baltimore. Although no current Captains were around for that contest, two Blue Jays are back from that game. Grace Nockolds scored for the victors in just her second career appearance, while fellow fifth-year standout Jenna Halpin saw action as a freshman as well. 

In 10 total meetings between the two schools, Christopher Newport holds a 6-4 edge in the series. The rivals have split the past six showdowns with both teams winning all three games on their home turf since 2009.

Entering the season with high expectations, CNU returns five All-Conference performers from last year's squad, which posted a 16-3 record while advancing to the NCAA Elite Eight for the first time since 2013. Among the decorated veterans, Courtney Hughlett was honored as a third-team All-American by the NFHCA, while Kerr earned the same award from Synapse Sports. Hughlett ranked seventh in the NCAA with 13 assists in 2024, and Kerr stood third nationally with a 0.61 goals-against-average and .863 save percentage.

Caroline Hughlett also earned All-Region honors last fall after ranking second on the team with seven goals, while Kendall Gibson and Avery Mast garnered first-team All-League nods as well. Additionally, Mast was celebrated as the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year.

Overall, 10 current Captains earned starting assignments last year, while 13 saw action in at least one NCAA Tournament game. Among those, Morgan Shealer started all four postseason bouts, while Emily Evans, Riley Iasiello, and Ellie Nuckols also took part in all 19 contests during the course of the year. 

Bridgewater opens 2025 after slotting fourth in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference Preseason Coaches Poll. The Eagles welcome back several defensive standouts that helped the program rank 21st in the nation with a 1.02 goals-against-average last fall. Junior goalie Ashley Nau stood fifth in the country with a stellar .854 save percentage in 2024, while senior Madalyn Miller also added a 1.22 goals-against-average in 17 appearances.

Along with the goalies, Bridgewater returns All-Conference defenders Jade Buckles and Riley Chandler, who are both entering their senior campaigns. On the offensive side, Lexi Francis posted 13 points last year, while Kylie Amberger and Carynn Klingler added nine apiece.

Johns Hopkins also features an experienced squad as six starters return from the 2024 roster, which produced a 19-4 record while reaching the NCAA Quarterfinals for the sixth straight season. Jenna Halpin anchors the midfield after garnering All-American nods last fall while producing nine points, including five assists. Aubrey Kilgore also picked up All-Region plaudits for her work between the pipes while ranking 10th nationally with a 0.81 goals-against-average.

Aided by Kilgore's efforts in the cage, the Blue Jays finished last year ranked fourth in the nation in scoring defense with a 0.77 goals-against-average. Meanwhile, on the other end of the field, Johns Hopkins welcomes back two of its four leading scorers from 2024 as Megan Chang finished the year with 21 points, while Grace Waldeck had 14.

Following this weekend, Christopher Newport will return to action on September 7 when the team hosts Washington and Lee at noon.

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