GREENSBORO, N.C. -- The 13th-ranked Christopher Newport men's soccer team heads out on the road for the non-conference regular season finale on Wednesday night, taking on Greensboro College (4-5-0) at 4:00 pm. The Captains (7-1-2) will look to extend their season-high five-game unbeaten streak against their former conference opponents.
CNU, who dropped one spot in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) National Rankings this week to 13th, is coming off a 1-1 draw versus York College (Pa.) in the Capital Athletic Conference opener. Greensboro shook off three straight losses by winning two of their last three, including a tight 2-1 victory over N.C. Wesleyan.
For fans that can't make the trip to Greensboro Wednesday afternoon, live stats will be available with links at the Greensboro Athletics website or via the CNU Men's Soccer schedule on CNUsports.com.
The all-time series between the Captains and Pride is one of the longest-standing in CNU soccer history, dating back to the 1974 season. Greensboro owns a slight 22-20-4 advantage in the head-to-head rivalry, taking the lead with a 2-0-1 mark in the last three meetings.
For head coach Steve Shaw, the Captains offense has been rolling, currently ranked the 19th best offense in the nation with 2.90 goals per game. CNU is ranked in the top 20 nationally in total goals, assists and points, while the team's eight points per game rank 21st nationally. Leading the charge has been senior All-American and two-time Player of the Year
Jalon Brown. With eight goals and three assists, Brown's 19 points lead the CAC and rank 24th nationally. Sophomore
Patrick Burns is also ranked in the Top 75 players in the nation with 15 points through his first nine games this season, on five goals and a team-high five assists.
So far this season, the Pride has been led by sophomore forward Shaun Watt, scoring six goals and adding an assist for 13 points. The offense has been almost entirely generated by Watt, as only four other players have registered goals this season, and no other player has multiple scores through the first nine games. Defensively, junior goalkeeper Logan Rohde has played every minute of the season, allowing 12 goals for a 1.29 goals against average and a save percentage over 71%.