YORK, Pa. -- The third-seeded Christopher Newport men's soccer team will face a tough test on Wednesday, as they travel to the second-seeded and seventh-ranked Spartans of York College (Pa.) for a mid-morning kickoff in the Capital Athletic Conference semifinals. The Captains (13-5-1) will look to knock off the top ten team in their first ever appearance in the CAC Tournament, following a 3-2 opening round win over sixth-seeded Wesley. 

The Spartans are 16-2 overall this season and are winners in 12 of their last 13 games. York has been ranked as high as No. 2 this season, and currently check in at No. 7 according to D3soccer.com. Top-seeded and ninth-ranked Salisbury University will host the other semifinal match, against fifth-seeded Frostburg State.

Earlier this season, the Captains took a 1-0 lead against the Spartans but York would come back and tie in the final five minutes and pull out a heart-breaking double overtime win. The series is close, with the Spartans holding a 5-4-2 advantage in 11 all-time matchups. 

This season, the Christopher Newport attack has led the way with 49 total goals for a 2.49 per game average. League-leading scorer Jalon Brown paces the attack, with a 35-point season. He leads both the goals and assists categories in the CAC, with 13 scoring strikes and nine helpers. Four more CNU players are in double figures this season, as sophomore Ryan Balfour (22 pts), seniors Caleb Lewis (16 pts) and Jack Cooper (12 pts), and Jimmy Grace (10 pts) round out the group.

Defensively, juniors Tommy O'Neal and Alec Faulkner lead the back line in front of senior goalkeeper Sean Killion. The Captains have a 1.02 goals against average with eight shutouts this season. 

On the other side of the field, York features a well-balanced team that has a stingy defense paired with a potent offensive group. The defense, led by goalkeeper Brad Schmidt, has allowed just eight goals this season for a 0.44 goals against average. The Spartans have 12 shutouts in 18 games this season, ranking fifth in the nation in shutout percentage.

Offensively, 17 different players have factored into the scoring column, led by three double-figure scorers. Jake Hower has scored 19 points on six goals and seven assists, while Brendan Saberton (15 pts) and Chris Weaver (14 pts) have helped pace the attack. Eight different Spartans have scored more than one goal this year. 

The game will kick off at a time not traditional to college men's soccer, with an 11:30 a.m. start at Graham Field on the campus of York College (Pa.). Live stats and a live video broadcast will be available, with links found at CNUsports.com.