MONTCLAIR, N.J. -- Taking advantage of another outstanding defensive performance and a well-balanced offensive attack, the second-ranked Christopher Newport field hockey team picked up its sixth straight shutout victory as the Captains blanked Montclair State, 5-0, on Saturday at Sprague Field.

Continuing a historic run on the defensive side of the ball, CNU extended its shutout streak to 393 minutes dating back to the fourth quarter of a 5-3 win over No. 5 Johns Hopkins on August 31. That stands as the second-longest run in program lore, trailing only a 613-minute stretch that included eight straight shutouts during the 2007 campaign.

On the back end, Lily Kerr pocketed a pair of saves during the first three frames, while Anna Mosciano added one during a spotless fourth quarter. Avery Mast also chipped in with her first career defensive save after turning away an on-target rip during a penalty corner in the opening period.

Along with the defensive standouts, five different Captains found the back of the cage. Caroline Hughlett led the way with four points, including a pair of assists. Kelly Via also landed her second straight game-winning goal, while Lindsey Loar, Emily Evans, and Kendall Gibson added strikes as well.

With her goal, Evans became the 16th player in program history to reach 25 career tallies. Meanwhile, Courtney Hughlett picked up her 23rd career assist, which moved her into a tie with former All-American Courtney Fiest for the third-most by a Captain.

With the victory, Christopher Newport improved to 8-0 on the season while conquering another state as the Captains posted their first ever win in New Jersey. The program has now notched at least one victory in 14 different states along with Washington, D.C. 

On the other side, Montclair State fell to 2-6 on the season. The Red Hawks became the 67th different program defeated by CNU and the 61st vanquished by head coach Carrie Moura since she took the reins in 2003.

Early on, the Captains slammed the door on a quick surge by the hosts. On Montclair State's first run down the field, Ellie Nuckols stripped an attacker along the left sideline. Moments later, the Red Hawks generated back-to-back corners, but Christopher Newport stood tall. Gibson deflected a slip towards the left post on the first try before Kerr made a kick save on a second-chance opportunity. Then, on the next attempt, Mast came through with a clutch save to block a wrap-around rip near the right pipe before Riley Iasiello escorted the ball out of the circle.

Trying to land a counterstrike, Caroline Hughlett had a pair of opportunities in the middle of the period. Sprinting free on a breakaway, she grabbed a pass from Evans but was turned away on the doorstep at the last second. Then, moments later, she secured a feed on the interior and lifted a rainbow that nearly cleared the defense, but Montclair State's goalie made a leaping save to knock down the shot.

Still marching forward in the 10th minute, Courtney Hughlett found Iasiello, who was battling for position on the inside. After securing the feed, the junior quickly picked up a corner.

Looking to capitalize, Caroline Hughlett rifled a one-timer from the top of the arc. Although the goalie made a kick save, Via snatched the ricochet and threaded a needle between the keeper, a defender, and the left post for the game's first goal.

In the second period, Christopher Newport quickly stretched its lead. Working along the right sideline, Caroline Hughlett flipped the field with a long hit to Evans, who was planted on the opposite boundary. With the defense struggling to catch up, Evans dished inside to Loar, who was fouled on the interior.

On the ensuing corner, Loar finished what she started. After an initial blast by Caroline Hughlett was kicked away by the keeper, Loar collected the carom and sank a follow-up attempt along the left post.

Just over a minute later, the Captains came back for more. Stationed in the left corner, Caroline Hughlett broke down a defender, spun underneath, and slipped a pinpoint pass between two more Red Hawks. On the receiving end, Evans settled the bouncer and fired a bullet inside the right pipe for her 25th career strike. 

Holding a 3-0 edge, CNU closed out the first half on the defensive side. Gigi Stephan blocked a pass near the 25, Morgan Shealer picked off a free hit on the left sideline, and Caroline Hughlett snatched an errant feed along the opposite boundary before chipping it around a midfielder near the center stripe. Then, in the waning moments of the period, Mari de Castro built a wall along the left side of the turf as the freshman broke up back-to-back clear attempts, including a sensational strip while pinned to the sideline. 

Following the break, the visitors went back to work on the offensive end. Flashing her power, Courtney Hughlett muscled a 20-yard rocket into the circle. Taking possession, Gibson snatched the spinner, split three defenders, and laced a dart that was kicked away on the doorstep. Still battling, Caroline Hughlett reeled in the rebound, backed down a defender, spun to her right, and sent the ball back to Gibson.

Covered by a pair of defenders, Gibson was driven to the turf in the middle of a scrum, but she managed to get her stick out of the crowd and deflect the pass around the keeper for her first goal since 2023.

Looking to respond on the other end, the Red Hawks mounted an attack, but the Captains never relented. Loar bottled up a pair of rallies along the 25 before Brylee Johnston put a lid on another push. Moments later, Courtney Hughlett stayed on the hip of an attacker during a lengthy run and forced an errant pass, which Shealer intercepted.

Although the hosts finally managed to penetrate the circle in the 39th minute, Kerr made a lunging save on a rope from the top of the arc before cleaning up a second chance near the left post. Shortly thereafter, Montclair State picked up a corner, but Courtney Hughlett stole the ball from a shooter near the right side of the zone to kill off the threat.

Entering the fourth quarter, CNU added one final goal in the 47th minute. Off a corner, Evans inserted the ball to Courtney Hughlett, who brushed off a physical confrontation at the top of the arc while flipping a no-look, behind-the-back feed to her sister. Finishing off the play, Caroline Hughlett found a sliver of daylight between five players and the right post for her first goal of the year.

After that point, the defense polished off the shutout. Midway through the period, Via put the brakes on a dangerous rally after intercepting a long hit just as two attackers leaked behind the defense. Then, Mosciano made a sensational save on a point-blank blast before Nuckols blocked a shot off a corner attempt to help ice the victory.

Overall, Christopher Newport held a 25-6 advantage in shots and a 13-6 lead in penalty corners.

CNU will return to action on Sunday when the Captains travel to No. 10 Stevens for a top-10 test beginning at 11 a.m.

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