NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- In what's billed as a heavyweight battle between two of the top offensive teams in the country, the 21st-ranked Christopher Newport men's soccer team will take on New Jersey Athletic Conference champion Montclair State University in the NCAA Tournament first round on Saturday, at 7:30 pm. The Captains and Red Hawks will battle on a neutral field at Messiah College, following the hosts' first-round matchup with Centenary College at 5:00 pm. 

The host Falcons of Messiah College have released a tournament website, with links to stats, rosters, video and more being updated throughout the weekend's events. Fans can find that site here, or by browsing directly to: http://gomessiah.com/sports/2016/11/8/MS111316-20161st2nd.aspx. 

CNU will carry a 17-2-1 overall record into the match against Montclair State, while the Red Hawks made the tournament with a 16-5-1 mark. The winning team will advance to face No. 4 Messiah (17-0-3) or Centenary (13-5-1) at 5:00 pm on Sunday in the second round.

According to D3soccer.com, the Captains are ranked No. 7 in the nation heading into the Saturday night tilt, facing off against Montclair State, ranked 24th. The two teams have caught fire down the stretch, with CNU posting a 12-game unbeaten streak and the Red Hawks sneaking into the NJAC Tournament and posting three impressive road wins to capture the league title. MSU defeated Rowan and Rutgers-Newark en route to their conference crown, a pair of nationally-ranked conference foes. On the other side, the Captains have not dropped a game since September 21, rolling through the Capital Athletic Conference regular season and tournament to capture the team's second CAC Championship in three years.

Both teams are ranked in the nation's Top 25 in scoring offense, with Montclair State slated at No. 12, scoring 3.09 goals per game, while the Captains are 23rd nationally, pouring in 2.80 goals per game. CNU has scored multiple goals in all but two of their 20 games this season, led by CAC Player of the Year Jimmy Grace and sophomore first team All-Conference forward Stephen Durbin. The two have combined for 22 goals and 11 assists this year, leading the Captains' dominating offense all season long. 

CNU is playing in the program's 10th NCAA Tournament, including nine under head coach Steve Shaw. CNU has reached the Elite Eight four times, and have won at least one game in seven of the nine appearances under Shaw. Montclair State is a perennial NCAA Tournament contender, appearing in the postseason for the 17th time since 1989 and this is the 11th consecutive season in the tournament. The Red Hawks have advanced to the National Semifinals once and the Elite Eight twice. Head coach Todd Tumelty has guided the Red Hawks to the NCAA Tournament in each of his first six seasons with the team. This will be the first time the two programs have ever squared off. 

Scouting the Montclair State Red Hawks, the potent offense is led by one of the top goal scorers in the country, Lucas Terci. The senior midfielder has scored 28 goals with four assists for an even 60-point season to this point, including six game-winning goals. Terci has factored into nearly half of the Montclair State scores this season, and ranks second in the nation in total goals and points. Five more Red Hawks are in double figures scoring this season, including senior forward Mike Olla, with nine goals and seven assists for 25 points. Montclair State has scored three or more goals in a game 17 times this season. 

Live video and live stats will be available for all three matches in Grantham, Pa. as host Messiah College will stream games for free online.