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NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- In its first year as part of the Capital Athletic Conference, Christopher Newport University has made an immediate impact on the league, with no better evidence than the home events this Saturday, November 9. In one of three conference championship games to be held on the campus of CNU this Saturday, the top-seeded Christopher Newport women's soccer team will host second-seeded York (Pa.) at 2:00 pm.

Also hosting with a chance at the CAC automatic qualifier is third-ranked field hockey, at 1:00 pm, and top-seeded women's volleyball, at 3:00 pm. Both of those Captains' programs will be taking on counterparts from Salisbury University. Live stats and video will be available for all CNU events, with links found at CNUsports.com on the sport schedule. 

Tickets for Saturday's action are $5 for adults and $3 for children, seniors and members of the military. Christopher Newport University students will be admitted free with a valid ID.

On the soccer pitch, the Captains (14-3-1), ranked sixth in the most recent NCAA South Atlantic Regional Rankings, will host a talented Spartans program that ranked ninth in the same poll. York (Pa.) is 12-4-2 on the season and the two teams battled to a 1-0 decision in favor of CNU earlier this season.

It will be the first time since 2008 that Captains Field will play host to a conference championship game, as the Captains' previous league, the USA South Athletic Conference, moved their soccer tournament to a neutral site for the last four years. That means that CNU's accomplished senior class, who have played in three conference title games, will be playing for championship at home for the first time in their careers.

That group includes CNU's all-time leading scorer, Emma O'Reilly, and senior breakout star Bupe Okeowo. The latter has been red hot in the final stretch of the season, scoring in seven straight games and climbing up the CAC stat leader charts with 30 points on 13 goals and four assists. O'Reilly is second on the team with 24 points, on 10 goals and four helpers, and has scored over 100 points in her career. 

Other seniors looking to finish out their career with the Captains' first ever CAC title include midfielder Carly Utterback and defender Alexis Stahlman. Stahlman has started nearly every game in her career, and this season, has helped CNU pitch 10 shutouts with a 0.65 goals against average. Utterback, one of the most prolific passers in CNU history, has one goal and is starting in a very tough midfield for CNU.

Joining Utterback in the center of the park are double-digit scorers Joy Piirto and Lindsay Mondloch. Both have a team-high six assists while Piirto, a junior, has added three goals compared to the sophomore's pair.

In goal, the Captains have leaned entirely on freshman Haley Casanova, who has played all but one half this season. The rookie has impressed in starting time, making 78 saves for a save percentage of .867. 

While CNU has been strong both offensively and defensively, the Spartans come into the game unbeaten in nine of their last ten games and hungry for a conference title -- of which they don't have since 2007.  In 18 games this season, York (Pa.) has allowed just 11 goals, while scoring 36 total of their own. 

Four double-figure scorers lead the attack, as Clare Chatham has scored four goals and added eight assists for a team-high 16 points. Kayla Kovalsky, powered by a crucial two-goal performance in the conference semifinals, has 13 points along with Beth Bunn, and Jamie Sokolis has added 11 total points. 

Junior goalkeeper Melanie Glessner has started all 17 games she has played, and boasts a 0.65 goals against average between the pipes. She has made 51 saves with nine goals allowed, posting a save percentage of .850.

The game will kick-off at 2:00 pm on Homecoming Saturday at Christopher Newport, with links to live stats and live video available at CNUsports.com.