KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- For the second year in a row and only the second time in program history, five Christopher Newport women's soccer players have been named All-Region as selected by the United Soccer Coaches association. Seniors Jill McDonald and Sarah Smith repeated as first team selections and were joined on the first team by sophomore midfielder Ellie Cox. Junior defender Nyah Savage hauled in second team All-Region honors and sophomore goalkeeper Jaya Daniel was named a third team pick. 

The nationally-ranked and undefeated Captains (19-0-3) wrapped up another astounding year under second-year head coach Jamie Gunderson and the postseason award haul continues to mount for CNU Women's Soccer. Continuing to make history as a standout defensive player, McDonald becomes the second defender in program history to earn first team All-Region plaudits more than once in her career, joining Danielle Pratt (2016, 2017). With McDonald, Sarah Smith joins an elite list of only six Captains to earn multiple first-team certificates in her career. 

Adding to the list of history-making selections are Ellie Cox and Jaya Daniel, who become the first sophomore tandem since Paniz Asgari and Ashleigh Dota to earn the esteemed honor in their second season. With Savage's pick as a second team honoree, the Captains boast two All-Region defenders for only the second time and the first since Pratt and Keiley McCarthy shared the honor in 2017. 

It marks the fifth consecutive season that Christopher Newport has earned at least four All-Region selections by the coaches' association and also represents the fourth time that three or more CNU players have collected first team All-Region honors. 

McDonald has been at the center of both the best defenses in program history as a consistent starter in each of the last two seasons. After setting every record in the book as a unit last season, the Captains nearly one-upped themselves with their veteran center back at the helm in 2022. The CNU back line surrendered only seven goals all season for a 0.31 goals-against average -- just a hair behind last season's record-setting 0.30 mark. The Captains earned a record-tying 16 shutouts in just 22 games to set a new program record and rank fourth nationally in shutout percentage (.727). 

The team captain was also a threat offensively, ranking fourth on the team in total points with nine, scoring four times with one assist. She snagged one game-winning goal with the first goal against Methodist, and also picked up a tally at Swarthmore. McDonald scored twice against Salisbury in a 3-1 win over the Sea Gulls in the C2C Tournament. She was named a first team All-Conference defender and earned C2C Tournament MVP honors. 

Sarah Smith put together another exceptional campaign offensively for the Captains in her second season in the Royal Blue and Silver. Despite missing five games to an injury, Smith led the team in scoring with 23 points on 11 goals and one assist. A difference-maker on the attack, Smith scored five game-winning goals, ranking in the top-25 nationally, and was a constant threat to score. 

She helped CNU average nearly two goals per game while starting 16 and playing in 17 games. Smith ripped a team-high 81 shots with 41 on target. 

With her fellow first team selections surrounding her on either end of the field, Ellie Cox helped lead the team in the midfield. Cox missed only a single game, after an in-game injury forced her out, and still managed to rank fifth on the team in total minutes played. She started all 21 games played and chipped in a pair of assists on the offensive end. She was a key player in bolstering the Captains stingy defense, eliminating opposing opportunities before they could begin. 

Adding to the spectacular defense were second- and third-team honorees Nyah Savage and Jaya Daniel. Savage was a dangerous weapon as an outside back, scoring twice and adding an assist offensively. She was also a tenacious defender, especially in one-on-one situations. Daniel capped a record-setting first year as the starter in goal, posting an 18-0-2 record in net with a 0.38 goals-against average and 10 solo shutouts. She ranks second all-time in save percentage, GAA, and wins while setting a program record for consecutive wins to open a career with 14 straight. 

Honorees will now be eligible for All-American plaudits, which will be announced by the organization on Wednesday. 

Led by the five All-Region picks, the Captains finished the season 19-0-3 after winning the conference regular season and tournament championships and advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the sixth consecutive season. CNU advanced to the NCAA Division III National Quarterfinals before falling in a PK shootout, 4-3, to Virginia Wesleyan after a scoreless draw. The Captains are undefeated in two years under Coach Gunderson (41-0-4).