NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (Aug. 30) -- A strong second half powered seventh-ranked Christopher Newport University to a 4-0 shutout victory over the Denison University field hockey team in the 2024 season opener for both teams Friday at Jennings Stadium in Virginia.
Following a scoreless first half, the Captains scored four times over the final 30 minutes to secure the season-opening win over the Big Red.
Senior goalkeeper
Athena Joannou kept the Captains at bay in the first half. Joannou made six saves in the opening 15 minutes and had seven saves at the break.
CNU broke through early in the third quarter when Caroline Hughlett scored off a pass from Courtney Hughlett just 2:19 into the second half. The Captains would carry a 1-0 lead into the fourth quarter.
The Captains were able to pull away over the final 15 minutes with three additional goals. All three scores came during a four-minute stretch that came in the final quarter. Caroline Hughlett assisted a pair of scores. She set up Maddison Steele, who scored 2:42 into the final quarter to make the score 2-0. Hughlett then set up a Lindsey Loar score, which made it 3-0 a little more than two minutes later. The final Captains' goal came from Emily Evans with 8:45 remaining in the game.
The 13 saves were the third most in a single game during Joannou's collegiate career.
Claire Willoughby and
Megan Edwards were credited with defensive saves in the loss.
Denison returns to action on Sunday when they face Mary Washington in non-conference play. The neutral site match is scheduled for a 10:30 a.m. start in Newport News, Va.
