2018 United Soccer Coaches Women's All-South Atlantic Region Teams

Four Christopher Newport women's soccer players have been named to the United Soccer Coaches All-South Atlantic Region Team, announced by the organization on Monday (Nov. 26).

Senior Gabby Gillis and sophomore Riley Cook nabbed first-team honors, while sophomore Keiley McCarthy picked up second-team accolades for the Captains. Sophomore goalkeeper Haley Eiser achieved third team accolades. 

The Captains claimed their third-straight CAC title this fall and will play Friday, November 30 at 7:45 pm against Williams College in the national semifinals. 

Captains Match Program Record With Four All-South Atlantic Region Selections

Courtesy of CNU Athletic Communications 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- For the second straight season, the Christopher Newport women's soccer team collected a program-record four All-Region selections from the United Soccer Coaches, announced late Tuesday night. Senior Gabby Gillis continues to add to her historical resume, becoming the first player in program history to haul in three first-team All-South Atlantic selections in her career, headlining the group of four recognized Captains. 

Gillis was joined on the first team All-Region squad by the Captains scoring leader, sophomore Riley Cook, who earned her second straight honor. Junior defender Keiley McCarthy also collected her second straight All-South Atlantic pick, earning a spot on the second team. Rounding out the Captains plaudits was third team All-Region goalkeeper, sophomore Haley Eiser. 

It marks the third straight season the Captains have had at least two first team All-Region selections and the fifth time in program history. 

The Captains record-matching contingent of All-Region picks was led by Gillis, a three-time All-Region selection. Gillis joins Ashleigh Dota (2003-05) and Victoria Perry (2014-16) as the only CNU women's soccer players to earn All-Region laurels three or more times in her career. She added another first to her list of personal achievements, becoming the first to earn first team All-Region honors three or more times. 

After becoming the program's first ever first team All-American last season, Gillis has backed up that phenomenal effort with another exceptional campaign for her swan song season. She has set career-high's in every offensive category with 41 points on 15 goals and 11 assists. Gillis became just the third player in program history to eclipse 40 points in a season and put away three game-winning goals. She moved up to third on the all-time scoring chart with 96 points and fourth in career goals with 38. She was named the CAC Player of the Year for the second straight season and was a four-time All-Conference selection. 

Joining Gillis on the first team was Riley Cook, who is in the midst of the finest season in program history for an individual player. Cook has scored a record 56 points on 25 goals and six assists, including a record-breaking 12 game-winning goals. She is the NCAA Division III statistical champion in winners for 2018 and is one of only three players to reach double-digits in gamewinners.

She ranks sixth nationally in total goals scored and her single season scoring total ranks second in Capital Athletic Conference history. In just two years with the Captains, Cook has skyrocketed up the all-time scoring charts at CNU, ranking fourth in career points (90) and second in career goals (40). Along the way, she has put together a record-shattering scoring streak with a goal in 11 straight games and at least one point in 16 straight games. She is one of only 26 players in NCAA history to score a goal in at least 11 straight games and the first player in Division III since 2002 to accomplish the feat. 

The sophomore joins Dota as the only Captains to earn first team All-Region honors in each of her first two seasons. 

On the second team All-South Atlantic squad, CNU junior defender Keiley McCarthy picked up her second straight All-Region recognition. She is only the second CNU defender to earn multiple selections in her career. McCarthy has started all 22 games and ranks second on the team in total minutes played. She has helped the CNU defense post 11 shutouts and a 0.54 goals-against average, which stands as the best mark in CNU lore. McCarthy added one goal and two assists on the offensive end while the back line held opponents to just 8.5 shots per game. 

Playing between the pipes for the first time in 2018, sophomore Haley Eiser collected third team accolades to become the first goalkeeper in CNU history to earn All-Region honors. Eiser played in 21 and started 20 games for the nationally-ranked Captains this season. She allowed 11 goals and made 65 saves in just over 1,632 minutes of action. She posted a 0.61 goals-against average and an .855 save percentage while tying the program record in wins with 18. She has registered eight solo shutouts and two more combined efforts.  

Christopher Newport is in the midst of the program's finest season with an upcoming appearance in the 2018 NCAA National Semifinals, the Captains have won a program record 21 games while also setting a new standard for points in a season. CNU will return to action this Friday, November 30 at 7:45 pm against Williams College in the national semifinals.