Live Stats ||
Live Video
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- With a dramatic double overtime victory against Frostburg State in the CAC Semifinals, the top-seeded Christopher Newport men's soccer team earned the right to host the conference championship game for the first time. The Captains (16-2-1) will host the second-seeded University of Mary Washington (14-3-1), with kickoff slated for 8:00 pm at Captains Field.
The Captains are hoping to capture their second Capital Athletic Conference Championship in three years, while the Eagles are looking to pick up their first since 2001. Live stats and live video will be available just before kickoff, which is set for 8:00 pm as part of a doubleheader with the women's soccer championship, kicking off at 5:30 pm. Fans can find links to live stats and video at CNUsports.com/live or directly through the men's soccer schedule at CNUsports.com. Tickets will be on sale at $5 for adults and $3 for children, cash only. Admission will be good for both games.
CNU will look to carry momentum into the title game, after a thrilling finish in the CAC Semifinal lifted the Captains past the Bobcats, 2-1. Sophomore
Stephen Durbin connected on a game-winning diving header with just under four minutes left in double overtime, eliminating Frostburg State from the tournament. Mary Washington also went to overtime in their semifinal matchup with York (Pa.), winning 2-1 on a dramatic goal by Jack Saslowsky just over two minutes into extra time.
This season, the Captains' offense has been the driving force behind another stellar season under head coach
Steve Shaw. The Dean of CNU head coaches is headed to his 11th conference championship game at the helm of CNU men's soccer, looking to capture the team's fifth conference title and second since joining the CAC in 2013. Offensively, senior midfielder
Jimmy Grace is a front-runner for Conference Player of the Year consideration after leading the league in goals (11), points (28), and tied for third in assists (6). He and the rest of the CNU offense have scored multiple goals in all but one game this season, averaging 2.89 goals per game and ranking among the nation's top 20 in scoring offense.
Durbin's game-winning goal tied him with Grace at the top of the league stat chart for goals scored, as the transfer student continues to impress in his first year with the Captains. The sophomore is just one point shy of Grace's league-leading 28, adding five assists to his 11 goals this season. Seven different players have scored in double figures for the potent CNU offense, including senior defender
Sammy Blosser, putting together a fantastic final campaign with three goals and four assists.
Mary Washington comes into Saturday's game knowing they forced the Captains into overtime during the regular season meeting in Newport News, before falling to CNU 2-1 in extra time. The Eagles are also looking for another tournament win over the Captains after defeating CNU in the 2015 tournament via a penalty kick shootout. Back in goal with that win on his resume is Matt Spencer, posting a 1.08 goals-against average this season. The Eagles defense has allowed 18 goals this season and is paired with an offense that is second in the league to Christopher Newport in goals scored. Seniors Jacob Burke and Riley Fisher lead the way with 21 and 18 points, respectively.
The Eagles have won four straight, and nine of their last ten with the loss to CNU being the only blemish, while the Captains are riding an 11-game unbeaten streak, The winning team will secure the conference's automatic entry into the NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Championship, with the field being announced in an online selection show Monday at 1:00 pm.
