NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- A pair of goals from inside the box were plenty to hold up for another stalwart defensive effort on Sunday afternoon as the third-ranked Christopher Newport women's soccer team earned a 2-0 win over the College of Saint Benedict (0-2-0). The Captains secured their second shutout of the weekend while improving to 2-0-0 to start the 2025 campaign. 

Connecting on their first goals of the season, junior midfielder Lexi Hazelgrove and junior forward AP Webb led the way for the Captains against the Bennies. Three more players logged assists in the game and, through two games, twelve different CNU players have already registered a point this season. Katy Bronski assisted the game-winning goal by Hazelgrove before Hannah Taylor and Sarah Ramsey paired up on a brilliant connection ahead of Webb's insurance tally. 

While the offense was in control, outshooting Saint Benedict by a final count of 27-2, it was another strong performance by the defense that headlined the afternoon. Junior Bella DiTommaso paired with freshmen Malayah Warner and Addy Hennessy to play full time on the back line in front of junior goalkeeper Amy Sidaway. The quartet surrendered just two total attempts in the game and neither challenged Sidaway between the pipes. 

With the shutout, Sidaway now has 24 in her career to take sole possession of third all-time in a Christopher Newport uniform. That mark ranks in the top five among active players across all three Divisions of NCAA play. Each of the three defenders in front of her had moments in the game to eliminate a potential run by the Bennies. 

On the offensive end, the Captains piled up opportunities and shots but could not find the back of the net until the 43rd minute. Off a corner kick, the Bennies clear attempt saw the ball bounce back toward the goal line but it hovered in play where Bronski got to it first. Her pass back across the middle was right at Hazelgrove, who delivered her first score of the season. 

In the 76th minute of play, the Captains found a second goal to provide some more breathing room against the Bennies. Hannah Taylor received a pass from Kyleigh Gough on the right side and used an excellent turn to get into the middle of the field. With space in front of her, Sarah Ramsey made a run into the box on the left side and Taylor played a perfectly-paced pass with her left foot, allowing Ramsey to one-touch it central for Webb. The veteran forward one-timed the shot into the goal to give Christopher Newport a 2-0 advantage. 

CNU took 11 shots on-goal and allowed just one to the Bennies.

With the win, Christopher Newport extends the longest active streak of games without a loss at home to 47 dating back to September 11, 2021. The Captains run ranks in the top ten longest in Division III history, tying Wheaton (Ill.) from October 2, 2002 to September 1, 2006 for 10th on the all-time list. 

The Captains will look to continue its winning ways on Friday, September 5 against the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor at 7:00 p.m. Live stats and a live video webcast will be available at CNUsports.com.