DELAWARE, Ohio -- Lily Kerr collected her 50th career victory, while Emily Evans paced a potent attack as the fourth-ranked Christopher Newport field hockey team kicked off its road trip with a 6-0 win over Ohio Wesleyan on Saturday afternoon at Selby Stadium.

Adding her name to the record books, Kerr became the 42nd goalie in Division III history to reach 50 career wins and only the 13th to accomplish that feat while boasting fewer than 10 losses. In fact, her career ledger of 50-7 equals the third-finest record of any goalie at the time of their 50th victory, trailing only Middlebury standout Grace Harlan, who went 50-1 to begin her tenure from 2018-22, and Eastern Mennonite Hall of Famer Karla Alerfer, who started her career 50-5 from 1994-97.

Meanwhile, in program history, Kerr became just the second Captain to reach 50 career wins. Fellow All-American Bailey Lien compiled a 54-15 record from 2013-16.

Helping Kerr reach her historic milestone, Evans posted her fifth career multi-goal eruption. Incredibly, the senior star also drove home her third consecutive game-winning goal after previously landing clinchers against Washington and Lee on September 7 and Virginia Wesleyan on September 10. With her run, she became just the fourth player in program history to score the game-winner in three straight outings, joining former All-American Abby Asuncion (October 23 - November 6, 2019), longtime legend Anne Gehring (September 30 - October 7, 2009), and CNU Hall of Famer Wendy Wilson (October 5 - October 16, 2001).

Along with Evans, four other Captains found the back of the cage, including freshman Victoria Trejo-Wearden, who secured her first collegiate strike. Lindsey Loar also added three points, while Kelly Via and Riley Iasiello chipped in with tallies as well.

In addition to the goal-scorers, Caroline Hughlett came through with her 50th career point after assisting on a fourth-quarter dagger. She became the 21st Captain to reach that benchmark and the second to accomplish the feat this week after Evans achieved the same milestone on Wednesday.  

Overall, Christopher Newport's six goals on Saturday equaled the program's highest output in a road game since an 8-0 triumph at Virginia Wesleyan on September 6, 2022.

With the win, CNU improved to 5-0 on the season, while the setback dropped Ohio Wesleyan to 2-3.

In a battle between two programs that advanced to the NCAA Tournament last year, the Captains controlled the tempo throughout the contest. Setting the tone early, Christopher Newport unloaded the game's first five shots during a six-minute assault at the beginning of regulation. Although the Battling Bishops held up against the onslaught, the hosts were never able to clear the defensive end.

Throwing a blanket over the field, Morgan Shealer intercepted a pass along the 50, Iasiello grabbed an errant feed near the left sideline, and Via picked off a roller along the right boundary before circling through a crowd while handing the ball back to the attack. Later in the period, Kate Engle pressured the hosts into a pair of turnovers on the defensive end, Ellie Nuckols bottled up a lengthy push on the left side of the turf, and Kendall Gibson suffocated another surge on the opposite border.

With time winding down in the opening frame, the Captains looked to capitalize on the sustained pressure. In the 14th minute, Courtney Hughlett sidestepped a pair of defenders near the top of the arc. With some room to work, she connected with Evans, who dropped a third Battling Bishop to her knees with a devastating cut on the inside. After gaining some space, she rifled a dart past the keeper for a 1-0 lead.

In the second quarter, Christopher Newport quickly stretched its advantage. Early on, Avery Mast flashed her power with a 20-yard rocket that bounced off the keeper's pads before landing on Loar's stick. With the defense struggling to catch up, Loar scooted towards the left post before squeezing a seed between the goalie and the pipe for the squad's second goal.

Moments later, the Captains flipped defense into offense during a gorgeous run in the 23rd minute. With the hosts looking to clear the back end, Gigi Stephan pressured a defender into an off-target pass, which Emma Weber picked off in the center of the turf. Transitioning quickly, Weber threaded a feed back to Stephan, who launched a crosser into the circle. On the receiving end, Iasiello cracked a one-timer inside the left post for a 3-0 edge.

Staring at a three-goal deficit, Ohio Wesleyan orchestrated its finest offensive stand of the game during the tail end of the first half. After earning a corner in the 26th minute, the Battling Bishops attempted to unload a shot from the left side of the circle, but Caroline Hughlett blocked the blast before Mari de Castro cleared the defensive end with a run up the right sideline.

Moments later, the hosts stormed back down the field, but Kerr made a sensational stop to knock down a high-rising rip in traffic. Following the save, Brylee Johnston grabbed the rebound and escorted it out of the circle to keep the 3-0 lead entering halftime.

In the third stanza, Christopher Newport put its defense on full display while preventing Ohio Wesleyan from even attempting a shot. Early on, Via and Gibson broke up back-to-back rallies in the right corner, while Caroline Hughlett grabbed possession near midfield and lofted an aerial to Hailey Ward, who flipped the field while sprinting up the left side of the turf.

Later in the period, Ward came back and stole a pass before spinning through two Bishops on another successful clear. Shortly thereafter, Mast stripped a midfielder in the same spot, Evans chipped in with a leaping interception on a floater, and Via deflected a pair of passes on a counterstrike to silence a late rally and keep a 3-0 edge entering the final quarter.

After the defensive masterpiece in the third stanza, CNU's attack went back to work in the fourth frame. Off a corner in the 49th minute, Loar and Trejo-Wearden positioned themselves perfectly along the right post. After an insert on the opposite side, Loar collected a crosser and served it to Trejo-Wearden, who redirected the ball behind the keeper for her first career tally.

Three minutes later, the Captains took advantage of consistent pressure during an extended offensive stand. Courtney Hughlett unleashed a one-timer from long range before her sister hammered away on the inside. Although the goalie brushed aside the first two attempts, Caroline Hughlett recovered her own rebound, twisted to her right, and dished a roller to Evans. Capitalizing on the frenetic pace, Evans slammed a missile past the diving keeper for her second goal of the contest.

With little left to prove, the visitors added one final punctuation mark in the 59th minute. In search of her third career hat-trick, Evans uncorked an absolute howitzer from deep. Although the goalie made an initial save, Weber flashed her stick skills in order to collect a bouncing deflection on the left side. After securing a second-chance opportunity, the freshman punched the ball to Via, who deposited a dart on the doorstep to wrap up the scoring.

Overall, CNU held a 27-3 advantage in shots and an 8-1 lead in corners. Along with Kerr's second-quarter save, Ella Fallen added her own stop in the fourth frame to complete the team's third straight shutout.

Christopher Newport will return to action on Sunday morning when the Captains travel to Granville, Ohio for an 11 a.m. showdown at Denison.

---ISH---