The St. Mary’s College of Maryland field hockey team suffered a 7-1 non-conference loss to No. 1 Christopher Newport University on Oct. 22, 2025, at Captains Field. The defeat marked the Seahawks’ fourth matchup against a top-15 opponent this season, dropping their record to 10-5 overall while remaining 3-0 in United East Conference play. Christopher Newport improved to 15-0, extending its undefeated streak and unanimous hold on the top national ranking.
Christopher Newport opened the scoring at 1:24 of the first quarter when Riley Iasiello converted an assist from Courtney Hughlett for a 1-0 lead. The Captains doubled the advantage at 21:00 in the second quarter on Lindsey Loar’s goal, again assisted by Hughlett. The third quarter proved decisive, with Christopher Newport adding three goals to reach 5-0; Iasiello scored at 35:08 off a Loar assist, Ellie Nuckols tallied at 37:08 with help from Avery Mast, and Emily Evans finished at 44:07 on another Loar assist.
In the fourth quarter, Caroline Hughlett converted a penalty stroke at 46:29 for a 6-0 lead. St. Mary’s senior captain Jena Vanskiver of Fallston responded with a penalty stroke goal at 49:43, her second of the season, to spoil the shutout. Hughlett closed the scoring at 59:13, assisted by Evans, for the final margin.
Christopher Newport dominated possession, outshooting St. Mary’s 35-5 and holding a 23-4 edge in shots on goal. The Captains also earned 12 penalty corners to the Seahawks’ two. St. Mary’s sophomore goalkeeper Sophia Kent of Chesterville made six saves through three quarters, while junior Caroline McDonald of Frederick posted a season-high six stops in the fourth. Vanskiver and senior forward Brenna Ziegler of Newark, Del., each recorded two shots for the Seahawks, with Vanskiver adding two defensive saves. Senior midfielder Sofia Lopez of Timonium and junior Safi Stimely of Linthicum each contributed one defensive save.
The Captains’ goalkeepers — Lily Kerr, Anna Mosciano and Ella Fallen — combined for three saves in their 15th consecutive victory. St. Mary’s joins Johns Hopkins University, Stevens Institute of Technology and Salisbury University as one of four teams to score on Christopher Newport this season.
In the United East Conference, St. Mary’s holds third place behind Penn State Harrisburg and Lancaster Bible, positioning them for a strong tournament seed. The conference, formed in 2019 from mergers of Capital Athletic and North Eastern groups, features seven teams and crowns its champion through a top-four playoff starting Nov. 2. Regional rankings place the Seahawks at No. 5 in the East, underscoring their rise under coach Jackie Neary, who entered her fifth year with a focus on balanced play.
Vanskiver, a biology major and team leader, embodies the program’s grit; her penalty stroke conversion provided a morale boost against overwhelming odds. Goalkeepers Kent and McDonald, both locals, reflect St. Mary’s pipeline, with Kent from Kent Island and McDonald from Frederick County. The loss offers lessons in penalty corner defense, where Christopher Newport’s 12 opportunities yielded two goals.
St. Mary’s hosts Wilson College on Oct. 25 at 1 p.m. for Senior Day at Redman Field, honoring Vanskiver, Ziegler, Lopez and others. Wilson enters at 5-8 overall and 2-1 in conference, providing a chance to rebound before the United East tournament. Regular-season finale against Penn State Berks follows on Oct. 29.
Team Statistics
Category SMCM CNU Goals 1 7 Shots 5 35 Shots on Goal 4 23 Saves 16 3 Corners 2 12 Fouls 0 0
Scoring Summary
- 1:24 — Riley Iasiello (6), assisted by Courtney Hughlett (CNU)
- 21:00 — Lindsey Loar (10), assisted by Courtney Hughlett (CNU)
- 35:08 — Riley Iasiello (7), assisted by Lindsey Loar (CNU)
- 37:08 — Ellie Nuckols (2), assisted by Avery Mast (CNU)
- 44:07 — Emily Evans (7), assisted by Lindsey Loar (CNU)
- 46:29 — Caroline Hughlett (5) penalty stroke (CNU)
- 49:43 — Jena Vanskiver penalty stroke (SMCM)
- 59:13 — Caroline Hughlett (6), assisted by Emily Evans (CNU)
Game Leaders (SMCM)
- Jena Vanskiver: 2 shots, 1 on goal, 1 goal
- Brenna Ziegler: 2 shots, 2 on goal
- Emma Watkins: 1 shot, 1 on goal
