WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Getting back into the win column with a road victory at Catholic University on Wednesday night, the Christopher Newport women's soccer team captured a 1-0 win courtesy of a corner kick connection between two seniors. Senior
Bella DiTommaso found classmate
Lexi Hazelgrove on the receiving end for the only score of the night and CNU improved to 5-1-3 on the season.
Kicking off a three-game road trip with the matchup in the nation's capital, the Captains put on a dominant showing offensively with 19 total shots and 10 on target. CNU outshot the home team by 14 total shots with a 19-5 advantage and allowed just one attempt on frame.
The CNU defense continues to put together one of the most impressive starts to a season in program history with the sixth shutout in nine games this year. The Captains have allowed just three goals in 810 minutes of action for a goals-against average of 0.33.
Leading the way in the goalmouth is senior goalkeeper
Amy Sidaway, who climbed into a tie for 18th all-time in NCAA Division III with her 39th career shutout. She needed to make just one save to secure the clean sheet thanks to another strong effort from the back line of DiTommaso,
Nora Cook,
Malayah Warner, and
Catie Borsuk. All four played all 90 minutes to help lock up the shutout.
Opportunities on the offensive end mounted from the opening whistle as the Captains ripped 12 shots in the first half including six attempts in the first 18 minutes of action. Despite an impressive effort, the CNU attack was still looking for their first score until the 80th minute of action. With just over 10 minutes remaining in the game, the Captains worked for the fifth corner kick of the match.
Stepping up to the set piece from the corner was DiTommaso, who lofted a picture-perfect cross into the box. Waiting on the receiving end was Hazelgrove, who powered home the header for her first goal of the season. The tally stood up as the gamewinner and is her fourth career winner.
The Captains defense cleared away a dangerous chance at the end of the game as Catholic earned a corner kick in the 87th minute. Despite a ball pinballing around the box, the CNU defense managed to clear away the chance and hold on for the win.
Christopher Newport will next travel to Roanoke College on Saturday, October 3 at 1:00 p.m.
