NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- The Christopher Newport women's soccer team hits the road this weekend as the Captains will travel to face Methodist University (4-6, 2-1) and N.C. Wesleyan College (2-5-1, 0-2) in USA South Athletic Conference action. CNU will face the Monarchs on Saturday at 2:00 pm and will then travel to Rocky Mount for a 2:00 pm tilt against the Battling Bishops on Sunday. 

The Captains are 3-7 overall, 1-2 in USA South play so far this year, coming off a 9-1 win over Ferrum College last Sunday. CNU boasts a strong offense, ranking 87th in the nation, behind junior Emma O'Reilly and senior Dani Gunderson. The team is averaging 2.60 goals per game, led by O'Reilly's nine scores so far this year. Gunderson has added six goals and four assists and eight more Captains have scored so far this year. 

The 2012 season is CNU's final in the league and they will be tested this weekend against the two teams that have the most conference wins over the Captains in program history. CNU holds a 12-6-4 advantage all-time over Methodist, and a 16-6-1 edge against North Carolina Wesleyan; no other conference opponent has more than five victories over CNU. 

The Methodist offense is scoring 2.0 goals per game, led by Kristin Habig with 12 points on five goals and two assists. The defense, though, is giving up 2.5 goals per as the Monarchs have struggled to a 4-6 season-opening record. After opening the season just 1-4, though, Methodist has won three of their last five games and looks to be hitting stride. Methodist is coming off an overtime victory against Greensboro last weekend, 1-0.

On Sunday, the Captains will take on the Battling Bishops at 2:00 pm. N.C. Wesleyan has also endured a rough start defensively, posting a 2.78 goals against average through their first eight games. Sophomore forward Rebecca Staylor has been a bright spot offensively, posting five goals and five assists for 15 total points this season.

The conference swing will be pivotal in determining postseason seeding as the USA South standings. Only the top eight teams will advance to the postseason tournament and the top four finishing teams in the USA South will earn first round home games. Live stats will be available with links at CNUsports.com