NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- The eighth-ranked Christopher Newport women's soccer team will kick off conference play on Saturday, September 23 as the Captains (7-0-1) hit the road to take on York College of Pennsylvania at 4:00 pm. The Capital Athletic Conference opener will be played as part of a doubleheader with the men's teams, who kickoff at 7:00 pm. 

For fans unable to attend the game in York, Pa. the Spartans Department of Athletics will provide live stats and a live video webcast. Links to both can be found on the Women's Soccer schedule at CNUsports.com. 

The Captains are 4-0-1 all-time against the Spartans, including a 4-0 victory at home last season. York has started the year with a 1-4-1 overall record, but is coming off the team's first win of the year against Juniata, 4-0. 

Christopher Newport is coming off the program's first ever unbeaten non-conference schedule as they enter conference play the rest of the season. CNU has quickly surged to the top of the national rankings with the early season run, now ranked No. 8 in the nation according to the United Soccer Coaches, formerly the NSCAA, and No. 5 in the D3soccer.com Top 25. 

Rookie Riley Cook has burst onto the scene in her first year with the Captains, leading the league in goals scored and total points with seven goals and 15 points so far this season. She has at least one goal in all but three games this season, and a pair of multi-goal efforts. Also to a hot start offensively is sophomore Carson Pokorny with 11 points (4g, 3a) and junior Gabby Gillis with 10 (4g, 2a). 

Defensively, CNU has collected two of three Defensive Player of the Week honors in the CAC this season, as Danielle Pratt and Carly Maglio each picked up the honor once. Maglio, a senior goalkeeper, won her 40th career game in the Captains' win on Wednesday night, and boasts a 0.89 goals-against average in over 700 minutes so far. Pratt and the rest of the back line are allowing just 9.5 shots per game and a 1.00 goals-against average this season. 

York has been led by senior forward Maxine Herman, who has scored two goals with an assist for five total points. Junior Caitlin Rankin has added two goals and Alyssa Rankin has also pitched in one goal, the gamewinner against Juniata. The Spartans lean on two rookie goalkeepers, including freshman Jess Wieber, who has started all six games. Wieber has a 1.51 goals against average with a .788 save percentage. 

Following Saturday's tilt at the Spartans, CNU will return to Captains Field to host Wesley College on September 30 at 2:00 pm.