NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- With a goal in each half, the third-ranked Christopher Newport women's soccer team built a lead strong enough to hold on for a 2-1 victory at Ohio Wesleyan University on Sunday afternoon, improving to 5-0-1 on the season. Seniors Hanna Heaton and Katy Bronski each found the back of the net for the Captains before a late goal by the Battling Bishops (3-2-2) cut the lead in half for the final margin.

Entering the matchup, the Captains were coming off their first draw of the season and got back into the win column with a dominant effort offensively. CNU outshot the home team by a final count of 24-3, including a 14-1 advantage in shots on goal. It was the first ever matchup between the two teams.

Locking down the Ohio Wesleyan attack from the opening whistle, the CNU defense surrendered just three shots to mark the fifth game with five or fewer attempts taken by the opponent. Leading the way on the back line were rookies Addy Hennessy, Malayah Warner, and junior Bella DiTommaso.  

Courtesy of the strong defense, junior goalkeeper Amy Sidaway faced just one shot on-goal in the goal scored by the home team in the 77th minute. The shot was straight from the corner as Bailey Hawkins found the back pocket for the Bishops. The lead already a 2-0, though, Sidaway secured the win and moved into sole possession of third place all-time at CNU with 38 career wins. 

Opening up the lead in the 38th minute, the Captains took a 1-0 advantage on a dynamite free kick score from Heaton. With a whistle in the middle of the field about 25 yards out, Heaton stepped up and soared a dazzling line drive over the wall and into the left side of the goal. It marked her third goal of the season and second in the dangerous area of the field.

Moving up the career charts herself, Heaton has now registered 73 career points to pass Dani Gunderson (71) and Carson Pokorny (72) for eighth on the all-time scoring list. She has scored 24 career goals with 25 career assists for the Captains in her three seasons.

Enjoying a 1-0 lead at halftime, the Captains outshot the Battling Bishops by an 11-2 count in the first 45 minutes. Five shots ended up on target as Alex Devers and AP Webb each forced a save by the Ohio Wesleyan keeper. 

Heaton had three shots on goal in the first half, including the game's opening score. At the start of the second half, the Captains' offensive balance was on display as three CNU players registered shots on-goal in the first five minutes of the second stanza.

Off the whistle, the Captains earned a corner kick and rookie Julia Joyner forced the first of three quick saves. Then, two minutes later, Devers added a second attempt on target. Rounding out the quick flourish was Molly Seventko with another blistering shot stopped by Natalie Ryan in goal for the home team.

Midfield play favored the Captains as well, with Lexi Hazelgrove and Kyleigh Gough handling the center of the field while Bella Ventimiglia and Joyner controlled the outside. Every chance mounted by the Battling Bishops was slowed by the midfield group and led to another build by the CNU offense. 

Entering the second half in the 57th minute, Katy Bronski waited for her moment to strike before picking up a pivotal insurance goal in the 72nd. As newcomers flooded onto the field for CNU, including offensive weapons McKenna Kolasch, Avery Spell and Grace Shifflett, the Captains continued to pressure the Battling Bishops defense. It was a defender, though, adding her third assist of the season, to set up Bronski's score.

Coming in from the right side with a throw-in, Hennessy launched a long pass into the box for her senior forward. Bronski trapped the ball to her feet, spun and fired a left-footed dart over the keeper and into the far netting for the score. It was her fifth career goal and first since November 11, 2023 when she scored against Marymount in the NCAA Tournament. 

Hanging onto a two-goal lead, the Captains would relinquish the first goal by Ohio Wesleyan just five minutes of game time later. The corner kick was the first of the game allowed and the shot the only attempt on goal in the contest.

After the score by Ohio Wesleyan, CNU settled back in for the final 15 minutes and continued to apply pressure to the Bishops defense. Gough powered a shot on goal in the 78th minute and Seventko added another try in the 79th. DiTommaso ripped a shot wide out of the back line and sophomore Ellie Diehl pressured a new goalkeeper for OWU, Payton Beard, for her third save. 

Rounding out the offensive play for CNU was another shot on-goal by Heaton in the 86th minute. In total, eight different Captains registered at least one shot on frame including a game-high four by Heaton. Seventko put all three of her attempts on cage and Devers added two on goal for the Captains. 

Leading CNU on the attacking end, Heaton now has eight points on three goals and two assists this season. Bronski becomes the seventh different player to score a goal for the Captains this season while Hennessy leads the team with three assists. 

In head coach Jamie Gunderson's fifth season, the Captains are now 24-1-2 in true road games for a winning percentage of 92.6 percent. CNU is 84-2-10 overall under Gunderson in his fifth season. 

Entering the fourth week of the season, the Captains will feature one home game and one road game on the schedule. CNU will first host Roanoke College on Wednesday, September 17 at 5:00 p.m. before heading back on the road to take on nationally-ranked Washington and Lee University on Saturday, September 20 at Noon.