NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- The Christopher Newport women's soccer team is in action at home this weekend, taking on Houghton College (2-1-0) and Methodist University (2-0-0) as part of the 2015 Captains Classic. The Highlanders and Monarchs will also play against Virginia Wesleyan College (1-3-0) on the Captains' neutral field with games being played through Sunday, September 13.
First, the host Captains (2-0-1) will look to continue their strong start to the season on Friday at 4:00 pm against Houghton. CNU, receiving votes in the first D3soccer.com national rankings of 2015, is coming off a 1-1 draw with Berry College in the Atlantic Orthopedic Specialists Classic last weekend, and also captured wins over Randolph-Macon and Carthage in the opening week.
The tournament will continue on Saturday, September 12, as the Marlins host Houghton at 1:00 pm, followed by the Captains against Methodist at 3:00 pm. Finishing out the three-day event will be a neutral site contest at Captains Field, with Virginia Wesleyan taking on Methodist at 1:00 pm on Sunday, September 13.
Victoria Perry and
Kaylie Deshler each have a pair of goals for CNU, while five different players have chipped in assists to start the season. The Captains defense has allowed just one goal on 28 shots, with junior
Haley Casanova leading the way with a pair of shutout wins. The CNU netminder has played all 290 minutes and boasts a 0.31 goals against average.
Houghton has started the year 2-1 with a loss to Rochester paired with a couple shutout victories against Lancaster Bible College and Penn State Behrend. Sarah Gabriele has led the offense with a pair of goals and one assist, while Shawna Sprout has played every minute in goal with a 1.00 GAA and 10 saves.
The Methodist Monarchs were picked to finish fourth in the USA South Athletic Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, and are off to a 2-0 start. The Monarchs went on the road to capture a 5-0 win over Chowan before returning home for a 1-0 overtime win against St. Mary's (Md.). Amanda Hayes connected on the extra time winner against the Seahawks for her second goal of the season, and four other Monarchs have scored this season. In goal, Taylor Ross has started both games and has yet to give up a goal while making four saves.
Finally, the Virginia Wesleyan Marlins come into the weekend after a 1-3 start while playing a tough opening schedule. Losses to Salisbury, Berry and nationally-ranked Messiah are already behind the Marlins, with a 2-1 win over Carthage also on record. VWC was picked to finish third in the ODAC Preseason Poll, and have gotten goals from three different players this season.
Live stats and a live video webcast will be available for all four games, with links found at www.cnusports.com/live.
