NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- As part of a doubleheader with the CNU women's team, the Christopher Newport men's soccer program will play the nightcap against Virginia Wesleyan University on Wednesday evening, with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 pm. The Captains (3-2-0) take on the Marlins (5-1-0) in the annual chapter in one of the longest rivalries in CNU soccer history. 

For fans unable to attend Captains Field on Wednesday evening, live stats and a live video webcast will be available at CNUsports.com/live. Links are also available on the men's soccer schedule at CNUsports.com. 

Wednesday night will mark the 43rd all-time meeting between the cross-water rivals, with Virginia Wesleyan owning a 24-15-3 advantage in the series. CNU has won three straight and boasts a 7-1-1 record since in the matchup since 2008. 

So far this season, the Captains have featured a potent offensive attack headlined by All-American Jimmy Grace, with 12 points, and junior forward Stephen Durbin, with seven. Grace is backing up his ceremonious senior campaign with a stellar start to his fifth year with five goals and two assists. Durbin has also been dangerous with two of his three goals punctuating victories. 

Defensively, CNU has allowed five goals in as many games with junior goalkeeper Zach Pedini getting all five starts. Pedini owns a 1.16 goals against average with one solo and one combined shutout. Playing in front of him, Bobby Seifert, Zach Douglass, Derek Cook, and Davis Pillow have played the bulk of the minutes on the back line to keep shots away from Pedini. 

Virginia Wesleyan is coming into the tilt riding a three-game win streak in which the Marlins have outscored their opponents, 8-1. They dispatched N.C. Wesleyan, 3-0, before beating Penn State-Berks, 3-0, and Albright, 2-1. 

The Marlins are paced by junior forward Ricky Perrault with four goals and two assists for 10 points. Five players have registered multiple goals, including sophomores Andrew Duenke and Tyriq Wellman, who each have a pair of game-winning goals. 

Following Wednesday night's matchup, the Captains will turn focus to the Capital Athletic Conference portion of the schedule as they open up league play on Saturday, September 23 at York (Pa.). Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 pm.