VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- Playing in the Atlantic Orthopaedic Specialist Classic, hosted by Virginia Wesleyan College, the Christopher Newport University women's soccer schedule will kick off on Friday evening, as the Captains are slated to take on 11th-ranked Emory University at 5:00 pm. The matchup is the first of two for CNU in the classic format, as the Captains will also take on DeSales University at 6:00 pm on Saturday.

The Captains first opponent of the 2014 season will provide a stiff test right out of the gates for the young Captains' squad. The Eagles posted a 16-4-1 overall mark last season and advanced to the NCAA Round of 16 before falling to Wheaton in double overtime. Emory returns its top two leading scorers from a year ago in seniors Karina Rodriguez and Charlotte Butker, along with four more starters from last season. 

CNU will counter with a young, but talented group of returning stars paired with an exciting set of newcomers welcomed into the fold for second-year head coach Dan Weiler. Despite graduating CAC Player of the Year Bupe Okeowo and all-time leading scorer Emma O'Reilly, the Captains will welcome back eight starters from the 14-4-2 team a year ago. Expectations are high for the Captains, who were selected to win the Capital Athletic Conference crown in a preseason coaches poll released earlier this week.  

Leading the way is All-Region midfielder Joy Piirto, returning for her final season after garnering second team NSCAA All-South Atlantic honors last season. Piirto tied for the team lead in assists last season, with six, and will look to help control the offense again this season. Sophomore Victoria Perry is also poised for a strong return in 2014 after joining Piirto atop the team assist charts, with six helpers of her own. 

Defensively, the Captains expect to be very strong with CAC Rookie of the Year Sam Rabinek leading the way. The strong central defender will have plenty of experience on the back line with her, as seniors Kelsey Thomas, Erin O'Shaughnessy and junior Abby Johnson all return after collecting the bulk of the minutes in 2013. In goal, sophomore Haley Casanova started all 20 games last season and played in all but 45 minutes of game action. She helped lead CNU to ten shutouts and a 0.77 goals against average. 

On Saturday, CNU will return to the pitch for game two of the 2014 season, taking on DeSales University at 6pm. The Bulldogs were picked fourth in their preseason conference poll after posting a 7-8-3 overall record a year ago.

Live stats and a live video webcast will be available for both of CNU's games this weekend. Links to each can be found at CNUsports.com.