KEENE, N.H.  10/16/11 – The Keene State College field hockey team dropped a 5-1 non-conference game to No. 14 ranked Christopher Newport (Va.) University at Owl Athletic Complex on Sunday.  The victory was a happy homecoming for Captain Coach and 1998 Keene State grad Carrie Moura, a former Owl field hockey and women's lacrosse player who also coached the KSC women's lacrosse team for two seasons (2000 and 2001).

            Keene State, which lost its second game to a nationally ranked opponent this week, falls to 12-4.  Extending its winning streak to four games, Christopher Newport improves to 9-3.

            The Owls, who finished with a 17-11 advantage in shots, weren't able to finish their scoring opportunities while the Captains capitalized on their chances.  "We didn't finish our scoring chances," said KSC Coach Amy Watson.  "We definitely had our share of opportunities.  The big difference was they took advantage of their opportunities in the offensive zone and we didn't.

            Christopher Newport netted three first half goals on seven shots.  Sophomore Shelby Judkins (Hampton, Va.) scored on a rebound following a second consecutive corner opportunity to give the Captains a 1-0 lead at the 13:44 mark. Freshman Lauren Cheatham (Newport News, Va.) made it a 2-0 game when she redirected a long pass transition pass from sophomore Chelsea Hines (Hampton, Va.) with 10:19 to play in the half.  After KSC wasn't able to execute a corner play, CNU scored with just 27 seconds to go in the half.  Junior Caitlin Cahill (Virginia Beach, Va.) raced down the field and let go a shot that was stop by Owl freshman goalie Caitlin Davino-Draper (Hanover, Mass.).  Senior Kelsey Rigby (Falmouth, Mass.) pounced on the rebound, bringing the ball in front of the net and scoring the goal.

            Senior Aislynn Sherry (Rehoboth, Mass.) got the Owls on the board midway in the second half on a long hard drive from just inside the circle to close the gap to 3-1.

            The Captains took command from there scoring two more goals.  Sophomore Jordan Snider (Newport News, Va.) converted a cross from Cahill to make it 4-1 and Rigby closed out the scoring with a well-executed corner play with 4:11 to play.

            Davino-Draper finished the game with six saves for Keene State.  Junior Jamie Dowling (Yorktown, Va.) stopped seven shots for CNU.

            KSC Sophomore Katlyn Simula (Bridgewater, N.H.) said the Owls learned a lot playing top ranked teams.  "We learn from their passing and communication.  It makes us play more as a team.  We worked really hard out there, so we're not discouraged."

            Keene State is at Westfield State on Wednesday.  The Captains return home and play Haverford College next Sunday (1 p.m.).