For the first time this year, the Christopher Newport University (CNU) women’s soccer team walked off the pitch on the wrong side of the scoreboard. A 1-0 defeat to the University of Mary Washington (UMW) on Saturday, Oct. 4, marked the Captains’ first loss of the season, bringing a pause to their unbeaten run. But for head coach Jamie Gunderson and his players, the game was more than a setback. It was a reminder of the growth still to come and the grit that continues to define their season.
The matchup carried high stakes and intensity from the opening whistle. Both teams entered the contest with strong defensive records and disciplined formations.
Through the first half, the game was a tactical chess match, with neither side able to break the stalemate.
Each team managed only one shot on goal before halftime, and CNU created several promising moments through set pieces and deep runs from senior forward Molly Seventko and junior midfielder Lexi Hazelgrove. Still, the scoreboard stayed locked at 0-0.
Just one minute into the second half, momentum shifted. Mary Washington’s No. 7 found space inside the box and buried a quick strike past goalkeeper Amy Sidaway, putting the Eagles in front.
From there, UMW adjusted into a compact 5-4-1 formation, clogging passing lanes and forcing CNU to fight through heavy traffic in search of an equalizer.
Despite the Captains’ push, which included three corner kicks and several aggressive attacking shifts, the Eagles held firm. The match grew increasingly physical, with fourteen fouls in the second half alone, disrupting CNU’s rhythm and forcing the team to adjust its tempo.
After the final whistle, Coach Gunderson was reflective but composed.
“Hats off to Mary Washington. They had a good game plan, and they stuck to it,” he said. “This game is a sign that we have to put in the work to achieve our end goals for the season.”
For a team that prides itself on resilience and composure, the loss carried weight but also perspective.
CNU’s defensive unit, anchored by Bella DiTomasso, once again displayed strong structure and communication, limiting UMW to only a handful of quality looks.
On the offensive side, the Captains created opportunities but struggled to convert against a crowded backline. Gunderson and his staff responded by sending additional numbers forward to exploit gaps, but space was scarce with ten defenders behind the ball.
The coach emphasized that results like this are part of the journey.
“With this being only the third loss in the past two seasons, it’s something that will motivate us,” he said. “There’s still a lot of season left for that work to show.”
For the players, the match served as a test of character. CNU has built its reputation on discipline, teamwork, and a relentless pursuit of excellence, qualities that do not disappear after a single result.
Veteran leaders like Seventko, Hazelgrove and Hannah Heaton continue to set the tone, while younger players gain valuable experience learning how to respond to adversity.
This team’s story has always been about more than wins and losses. It is about the standards they set for themselves, moving the ball with purpose, playing with intensity, and trusting one another through every challenge. One match will not define their season.
If anything, it may become the moment that strengthens their resolve as they head into the critical stretch of conference play.
For the Captains, this loss wasn’t an ending — it was a checkpoint. A reminder that championships aren’t just earned through victories, but through the lessons learned in defeat.
