FREDERICKSBURG, Va. -- After CNU men's soccer took over the top spot in the Capital Athletic Conference standings on Wednesday night, a pivotal matchup against the 16th-ranked and second-place Mary Washington Eagles is on tap for Saturday afternoon at 3:30 pm. The Captains (11-2-1, 6-0-1) will hit the road to put their 11-game unbeaten streak on the line against the nationally-ranked Eagles (11-3-1, 6-1-0) as part of a doubleheader with the women's teams. 

The conference showdown between two of the top teams in 2017 will have major conference tournament implications as the Captains and Eagles vie with St. Mary's (Md.) for the coveted first round byes awarded to the first- and second-place finishers. Mary Washington is coming off a 2-0 loss to St. Mary's (Md.) as the Seahawks drew even with the Eagles in the conference standings. CNU holds a one-point edge over the pair after a 1-1 draw with Salisbury the last time out. 

For fans unable to attend the match in Fredericksburg, Va., live stats and a live video webcast will be available courtesy of the Mary Washington Department of Athletics. Links to both can be found at CNUsports.com on the men's soccer schedule. 

The conference bout figures to feature plenty of goal scoring opportunities as the Captains' league- and nation-leading offense is paired up against Mary Washington's second-ranked offense in the CAC. CNU comes into the game averaging 4.07 goals per game while the Eagles are pouring in 2.13 per contest. 

Leading the attack for Christopher Newport are three of the top four scorers in the CAC, including league leader Stephen Durbin with 27 points.  Durbin has poured in 12 goals with three assists while being followed closely by senior Jimmy Grace, ranking second in the CAC, with 24 points. Senior Andrew Gogolin, with 17 points, is ranked fourth in the league in scoring giving the Captains a dangerous trio at the top of the pitch. 

Mary Washington counters with a dominant defense that has seven shutouts and a 0.73 goals-against average this season. Senior goalkeeper Matt Spencer has started all but one game this season and leads the defense in his final campaign. Offensively, rookie Jeremy Hokenson has five goals and four assists to lead the attack with 14 points. Junior Justin Carey has added five goals for 10 points. 

Following Saturday's action, the Captains will travel to Marymount University to wrap up the regular season on Wednesday, October 25. Kickoff against the Saints is scheduled for 7:00 pm.