NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – The St. Mary's College of Maryland field hockey team faced their third nationally-ranked opponent of the season Saturday morning down in Virginia. St. Mary's College (3-2) fell 6-1 to No. 11 Christopher Newport University (5-0) in non-conference action.
 
How It Happened

• Christopher Newport outshot the Seahawks, 11-2, in the first period but St. Mary's stood its ground defensively. First-year goalie Caroline McDonald (Frederick, Md./Tuscarora) made three stops and junior captain Charlotte Horn (Schnecksville, Md./Northwestern Lehigh) added a defensive save to keep it zeros heading into the second quarter.
• The Captains wasted no time in staking a 2-0 lead in the first two minutes of the second frame and then added a third at 25:19. Sophomore midfielder Sofia Lopez (Timonium, Md./Dulaney) fired off two shots five seconds apart in the 28th minute but Lily Kerr turned them away to send CNU into the break with a 3-0 lead.
• Sophomore forward Brenna Ziegler (Newark, Del./Newark Charter) opened the second half with a shot on goal which Kerr handled to keep the Seahawks off the board. The Captains' fourth goal came off the stick of Lindsey Loar at 33:22. Horn tested Kerr two minutes later but was unable to put one past her. Abby Asuncion picked up the hosts' fifth goal on a penalty corner.
• Lopez finally broke through for St. Mary's at 47:15 on the Seahawks only shot of the fourth as she finished off a feed from senior captain Audrey Dickens (Phoenix, Md./Dulaney). Christopher Newport tacked on one more at 49:00.

 
Inside the Box Score

• The Captains posted a 37-10 (17-5 on goal) shot advantage as well as an 11-6 margin in corners.

 
St. Mary's College Game Notes

• McDonald made four saves in 37:10 before being relieved by first-year Payden Knoll (Fallston, Md./Fallston). Knoll finished with five stops in the final 22:50 of the game.
• Sophomore midfielder Josie Shermeyer (Harrisburg, Pa./East Pennsboro Area) also picked up a defensive save today.
• Horn and Lopez paced St. Mary's with three shots each while Lopez notched a team-best three shots on goal and scored her first goal of the season.

 
Christopher Newport Game Notes

• Caroline Hughlett, Alexis Morales, and Katie Abendschoen each tallied a goal and an assist for CNU.
• Kerr collected four saves through the first three quarters before Ella Fallen subbed in for Kerr in the final frame.

 
Up Next for the Seahawks

• Sept. 20 vs. Stevenson (5-1) – St. Mary's City, Md. (JLR Stadium) – 4:30 p.m.

 
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