NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Fresh off their first national ranking of the season, both of the Christopher Newport soccer programs will be in action at home on Wednesday night, hosting a non-conference doubleheader at Captains Field starting at 5:00 pm. First, the 8th-ranked CNU men's team will face Methodist University, followed immediately by the 11th-ranked CNU women hosting Virginia Wesleyan College. 

The National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) released their first national Top 25 of the regular season on Tuesday, listing both of CNU's soccer programs among the nation's elite after matching 4-0 starts. It has been an exciting start for both the men and women, pairing stellar offensive output with stingy defensive efforts through the first two weeks. 

On Wednesday evening, the CNU men will return to Captains Field for a 5:00 pm kickoff against their third matchup with a USA South Athletic Conference opponent. Already this season, the Captains have dispatched of Greensboro College, 7-2, and N.C. Wesleyan College, 6-0, in games against former conference rivals. With a 2-0 win last season, Christopher Newport improved to 29-15-2 all-time against the Monarchs, running their current unbeaten streak to eight (7-0-1). 

So far this season, the Captains have outscored opponents 18-2 in four games, with 11 different players already getting on the season scoring ledger. Sophomore transfer Stephen Durbin and senior defender Sammy Blosser currently lead the attack with seven points apiece, while seniors Patrick Burns and Jimmy Grace each have six points as well. Defensively, the Captains gave up two goals in the season opener, but have posted three straight shutouts with over 300 straight minutes without a goal allowed. 

They will be facing a Methodist University team that is 0-2-1 on the season, coming off it's first draw of the year, against Randolph College. Tyler Ursuy scored the lone goal in a 1-1 tie with the WildCats, and the Monarchs were shut out in the first two contests of the year. 

Following the men's action, the CNU women's team will take the pitch as a nationally-ranked team for the first time since 2007. The Captains will face a team they are very familiar with, and vice versa, as the two programs have played in front of eachother three times already, as part of two season-opening tournaments. Virginia Wesleyan is 1-2-0 to start the year, with a double-overtime loss to then-6th ranked Carnegie Mellon with just 30 seconds remaining. 

The Marlins have been led by sophomore forward Brooke Adamchak, who has factored into all three of the Virginia Wesleyan goals so far this season. She has one goal, and two assists, while Katie Roberts and Marli Hayward have also added one goal apiece. In goal, rookie Taylor Chapman has played all but one half this season, allowing just two goals for a 0.90 goals against average. 

She'll be facing a tough CNU offense that has looked in mid-season form already this year, scoring 13 goals in their first four games. Senior forward Victoria Perry has continued her usual dominating pace up top, leading the Captains offense with nine points (3g, 3a). She has been joined by freshman Carson Pokorny, who has scored eight points already in her young career, with two game-winning goals. Seven different CNU players have scored goals in the first four games, and another four have at least one assist. 

Defensively, the CNU back line has been a brick wall, allowing just one goal in four games. Junior goalkeeper Carly Maglio has played every minute between the pipes, and sports an impressive 0.25 goals against average with three shutouts. On defense, CAC Defensive Player of the Week Keiley McCarthy and fellow freshman Shaye Doherty have started all four games on the outside, while juniors Kira Warner, Danielle Pratt, and sophomore Lauren Ciccone have done the bulk of the work in the middle. 

Live stats and a live video webcast will be available for both games in the doubleheader. Following the action, both teams will hit the road for a pair of games away from home this weekend.