BRIDGEWATER, Va. – The Bridgewater College field hockey team played nationally-ranked Christopher Newport even for most of the first half, but tired late in a 6-1 season-opening loss.

The 16th-ranked Captains didn't lead until there was no time left on the first half clock, with Lauren Cheatham scoring on a penalty corner with time expired.

Bridgewater had all the chances early on. Senior Taylor Prillaman was nearly through in the opening minutes but was called for a foul after dribbling around a defender on the right side.

The opening attempt of the game came from Shannon Strosser, a slap shot that was saved by Bailey Lien (two stops).

Fourteen minutes in, Lien kicked away a shot from Alenka Ferrufino, with Strosser unable to put the rebound away.

Cori Black slipped a shot in from outside to open the scoring, but Prillaman responded in the 27th minute after dribbling through the Captains defense.

Senior Sarah Rozell made several big defensive plays in the first half, including registering a defensive save midway through the period. Soon after, she cut off Carol Thompson's breakaway after the CNU forward had intercepted a pass deep in Bridgewater territory.

Cheatham, who had hat trick, took over right after halftime. The senior cut through BC's defense for an unassisted goal 21 seconds into the half, and then assisted Mackenzie Neylon following another nice move for a 4-1 scoreline.

With 20 minutes to play Rachael Loy lifted a Ferrufino pass over the goaltender, but the whistle had already blown for a foul in front of goal.

Sarah Miller slipped past her mark and scored to make it 5-1, with Cheatham completing her hat trick in the final minutes.

Bridgewater sophomore Amanda Harper made six saves for the Eagles.

Bridgewater did not record a shot on goal after halftime, but did have a trio of penalty corners. CNU held a 19-6 shot advantage after not recording a shot until 18:47 left in the first half (a good save by Harper on Cheatham).

Cheatham led all players with seven shot attempts, while Madison Doss added three.

BC (0-1) continues a difficult early-season non-conference slate with a trip to Juniata on Friday.