MIDDLETOWN, Pa. -- After their first draw of the season, the 15th-ranked Christopher Newport women's soccer team confronts a busy weekend with a long road trip to Penn State Harrisburg on Saturday, followed by a clash with nationally-ranked Lynchburg College in the non-conference finale at home on Sunday. The Captains (12-1-1, 6-0-1) will kick off against the Lions in Capital Athletic Conference action at Noon, as part of a doubleheader with the men's teams, before returning to Newport News to kick off against the Hornets at 5:00 pm on Sunday. 

With just three games left in the season, and only two conference matchups, the Captains are positioning for a potential postseason run, having already locked up a spot in the CAC Tournament. A win on the road Saturday would clinch a first-round bye for the Captains, while also adding to the team's nine-game unbeaten streak. CNU will be facing a Penn State Harrisburg squad that is 6-10 overall with a 3-4 record in CAC action, clinging to one of the last postseason berths, tied for sixth on the league standings. 

Following the conference matchup, the Captains will journey from the northernmost point in the CAC back to Newport News to prepare for a nationally-ranked showdown with Lynchburg College at 5:00 pm on Sunday. The Hornets were ranked No. 2 in the first NCAA Regional Rankings released earlier this week, while CNU checked in at No. 7. The NSCAA Coaches' Poll lists CNU at No. 15, and the Hornets No. 19, setting up the second nationally-ranked bout of the season for CNU women's soccer. Lynchburg is 10-1-3 overall with wins in four of their last five games. 

CNU will combat both teams with a powerful offensive arsenal and stifling defensive unit. The Captains lead the Capital Athletic Conference in every NCAA statistical category except for saves per game, which is more indicitive of the suffocating defense that has only allowed 6.8 shots per game this season. Junior goalkeeper Carly Maglio has moved up to 24th among active players in career goals-against average, as the CNU defense has only allowed six goals this season. In 2016, Maglio has eight shutouts with a 0.42 goals-against average, while saving 89.1% of shots on-goal. 

Offensively, three Captains are in double figures in an attack that has seen all but four field players register at least one point this season. Of those four, three are defenders, including junior center back Kira Warner, one of the top defensive players in the league. Leading the attack, senior Victoria Perry has eight goals and eight assists for 24 points, while rookie Carson Pokorny has added 16 points on four goals and eight helpers. 

Penn State Harrisburg has been led by 2015 CAC Rookie of the Year Kristen Stark, as the sophomore has 17 points on eight goals and one assist. Stark has factored into nine of the Lions' 14 goals this season, while rookie Madison Hemler is second on the team with seven points with two goals and three assists.

Lynchburg continues its roll as one of the most dominant programs in the region, and comes into Sunday's contest having allowed just two goals all season. Senior goalkeeper Tess Frelick ranks fourth nationally in goals-against average with a 0.16 mark, boasting a .917 save percentage between the pipes for the Hornets. Her back line features a pair of seniors that are the Division III active leaders in games played in Natalie Deacon (91) and Marina Clark (90). The trio, and the rest of the LC defense, have only allowed 17 goals over the last three years. 

Offensively, Lynchburg is equally dangerous, scoring 56 goals in 14 games played this season to rank fifth in the nation in scoring offense with 4.0 goals per game. Sophomore Caitlin Mertens leads the way with 22 points on nine goals and four assists, while six different Hornets are in double figures this season. 

Live stats and a live video webcast will be available from Captains Field starting at 5:00 pm, with links found at CNUsports.com/live. Saturday's contest at Penn State Harrisburg will include live stats, and that link can be found through the CNU women's soccer schedule at CNUsports.com. 

Following this weekend's action, the Captains will close the regular season on Wednesday, October 26 at Marymount University with kickoff slated for 4:00 pm.