Complete Bracket

GAMBIER, Ohio -- After a pair of wins in the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament, the 17th-ranked Christopher Newport men's soccer team has earned a trip to the NCAA Sectional Round, and will face off against 12th-ranked Whitworth University (17-1-3). The Captains (18-3-4) will take on the Pirates on a neutral field on the campus of Kenyon College, who hosts the Sweet 16 matchup at 1:30 pm, with live stats and a live video webcast available.

The sixth-ranked Lords (18-1-2) will host conference rival Ohio Wesleyan University (16-4-3) immediately preceding the Captains game, with first kick slated for 11:00 am. The two advancing teams will advance to the Sectional Final on Sunday, November 23 at 1:00 pm. 

For full rosters, stats, schedules and more, including ticket information, click here for the tournament website. 

Christopher Newport is making its fourth appearance in the NCAA Sweet 16, with the last coming in 2009 when CNU advanced on a shootout victory following a scoreless draw with Stevens. This year, the Captains advanced with a 1-0 win over Lynchburg College in the opening round, followed up by a thrilling come-from-behind win over Stevens, 4-2, in the second round. Whitworth traveled clear across the country for their opening round pod, slated to play Covenant College on the campus of Emory University in the first round. The Spokane, Washington-based team picked up a first round win, 1-0, over Covenant before eliminating Berry College, 2-0 for their second straight shutout. 

CNU, like it has all season, leaned on its potent offense to get through the opening weekend. After a 1-0 shutout over the Hornets, CNU posted four second-half goals against Stevens to race past the Ducks, 4-2. Although it is a small sample of just two games, the Captains rank third among all 61 teams in the tournament in goals scored, fourth in assists and fifth in points. Overall this season, CNU ranks fourth nationally in total points, and is pouring in 2.76 goals per game, good for 19th in the country. 

Senior forward Jalon Brown, a three-time conference Player of the Year selection, has led the offensive group with a career-high 45 points. With a goal against Stevens, Brown tied the program's career goals scored record, with 51, and also broke CNU's all-time scoring mark earlier this season. Sophomore Patrick Burns has added 12 goals and 12 assists this season, carrying 36 points into this weekend's sectional. 

Defensively, seniors Alec Faulkner and Tommy O'Neal rank among the program's all-time leaders in games played, games started and minutes played. They are joined by classmate Stephen Landry and junior Sean Christein to string together a stingy defense that allows just 7.2 shots per game and boasts a goals against average of 1.12. 

Whitworth, who has yet to surrender a goal in this year's NCAA Tournament, is riding a ten-game unbeaten streak heading into the game against CNU. The Northwest Conference champions pair a top-40 offense with a top-60 defense, balancing a back line that has collected nine shutouts with an attack averaging 2.5 goals per game. Senior forward Michael Ramos leads the team with a 40-point season after scoring 14 goals and adding 12 assists. 

Directions to Mavec Field are available at the tournament website. For those not making the trip to Ohio, a live video webcast and live stats will be available by clicking here.