Newport News, Va. -- The Lynchburg Women's Soccer team and Christopher Newport engaged in a regional rumble Sunday evening, with the Hornets coming out on top 1-0.

Lynchburg entered the game ranked second in the region and even though they were ranked higher nationally, Chris. Newport checked in regionally at seventh. The game kicked off at 5 p.m. and for the first half the sun cast long shadows on the players but a bitter breeze swept through Captains Field the entire game.

It was all Lynchburg in the first first 20 minutes as the Hornets tested the CNU keeper with six shots. Three shots did not make it on frame  and two were saved. The unaccounted shot proved to be the game-winning goal from senior Marina Clark.

After the Hornets earned a corner, senior Samantha Bagherpour sent in a beautiful service. Clark got her hea to it but the Captain goalie saved the shot but the save landed straight at Clark's feet and she buried her shot and put Lynchuburg up, 1-0. The goal was the second on the season and 19th for her career.

Both keepers were called into action in the latter part of the first half but no attack created much concern for either side for the remainder of the period and the score would remain at 1-0 as the horn sounded for the end of the first 45 minutes.

The match was dominated by physical play of two defenses who rank in the Top 25 in Goals-Against Average, with Lynchburg in third and CNU at 25th. The referee allowed the physical play but made sure to keep the game under control calling a total of 20 fouls, 12 against the Hornets and eight on the Captains.

The second half was no different as the ladies became more aggressive, with the Hornets protecting the ball and their lead while the Captains were pushing forward, looking to find the equalizer.

Senior goalkeeper Tess Frelick had a spectacular night, possibly the best of the season in the victory. She made five saves on the night but none more critical than the three in the second half. A magnificent play by Frelick and possibly the play of the game came with 19 minutes left in regulation.

The Captains had just regained possession after a blocked shot and were looking to capitalize on the opportunity. After a few passes, CNU forward Victoria Perry found herself one-on-one with Frelick. Perry fired a shot but Frelick had already sprinted off her line and jumped into the air, waving her arms and legs to make herself as big as possible and her plan worked as the ball deflected off and was cleared by one of her defenders

The Captains would push up into the Lynchburg half more in the closing minutes but the stout Hornet defense, which has only allowed two goals all season, proved to be impenetrable and turned back any CNU attempt on goal.

The Hornets were led by Clark, sophomore Caitlin Mertens and freshman Alyssa Rudy, all of whom registered three shots while seniors Camille Bartley, Kelley Smith and Bagherpour along with junior Rachel Cooke added two shots each.

With the win the Hornets improve to 11-1-3 and look to extend their winning streak to four when they travel to Roanoke on Wednesday, Oct. 26th for a conference match with the Maroons starting at 7:00 p.m.