BALTIMORE, Md. – It was a chilly November night in Baltimore, but the Continentals had no intention of letting their season go cold.
Haley Cramer '28 scored in the 65th minute as the nationally ranked No. 16 Continentals defeated Christopher Newport University 1-0 in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Championship at Johns Hopkins University's Homewood Field on Saturday evening, Nov. 14.
Season Update
- Hamilton improved to 12-3-3 overall and advanced to the second round of the NCAA championship for the fifth time in six tournament appearances.
- Christopher Newport, the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference champion, finished its season with an 11-3-4 record.
How It Happened
- Christopher Newport tested Hamilton goalkeeper Corah Boller '29 just 53 seconds into the contest, but that would be the Captains' only attempt of the opening half.
- Hamilton took control from there. The Continentals were especially effective in the midfield, where Ryan Manning '27, Sarah Flood '27, Cramer and Diana Baffor '29 helped win loose balls, disrupt Christopher Newport's attack and dictate the pace of play.
- Lila Sullivan '29 kept the Captains' goalkeeper Amy Sidaway busy early, forcing three saves in the opening 22 minutes. Baffor added another shot on goal in the 20th minute, while Manning sent an attempt wide in the 25th.
- Sidaway, the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year and tournament MVP, helped keep the match scoreless despite Hamilton's offensive advantage. Abby Douglass '27 sent a shot high in the 34th minute, and Sullivan missed wide three minutes later.
- Hamilton outshot Christopher Newport 8-1 in the first half, including 4-1 in shots on goal. Despite controlling much of the play and creating several scoring opportunities, the match remained scoreless at the half.
- Hamilton picked up where it left off after the break. Cramer tested Sidaway in the 56th and 61st minute. The Continentals continued searching for an opening against a Christopher Newport defense that had allowed just six goals all season entering the match.
- The Continentals' persistence finally paid off in the 65th minute. Kate Giglio '28 delivered a beautiful corner kick toward the back post, where Cramer battled for position in a crowd of players. Sidaway attempted to punch the ball clear, but Cramer had the final say as she buried it in the back of the net.
- Christopher Newport picked up the pressure in the closing minutes, but Hamilton's defense was ready. The Captains couldn't navigate past the Continentals, who protected their one-goal lead to secure the shutout and advance to the second round.
Notes
- Hamilton outshot Christopher Newport 19-8 and held a 6-1 advantage in corner kicks.
- Cramer scored her sixth goal of the season and finished with five shots.
- Giglio recorded her seventh assist of the season and first on a game-winning goal.
- Boller tallied four saves and secured her third shutout of the season.
- Grace Shifflett led the Captains with three shots, including two on goal.
- Sidaway finished with six saves. She entered the match with 11 shutouts and a .908 save percentage.
- Christopher Newport allowed just seven goals in 18 matches this season, with only three after halftime.
- Saturday marked the first meeting between Hamilton and Christopher Newport.
- The Continentals made their first NCAA Championship appearance since 2021 and celebrated their return with a first round victory.
Next Match
Hamilton takes on nationally ranked No. 11 Johns Hopkins University (16-1-2) in the second round of the NCAA Championship on Sunday, Nov. 15, at 3 p.m. at Homewood Field. The Blue Jays advanced with a convincing 4-0 victory over Rivier University in Saturday's first round. The winner advances to next weekend's sectional round.
