NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- The Christopher Newport women's soccer team will play their home opener on Friday night, as part of the 2017 CNU Captains Invite, taking on California Lutheran University at 7:30 pm. The tournament will begin at 5:00 pm with a neutral site contest between Virginia Wesleyan University and Methodist University and the four teams will reconvene on Sunday afternoon for the conclusion of the event. 

Live stats and a live video webcast will be available for all four games at Captains Field. On Sunday, game times are 1:30 pm (Cal Lutheran vs. Virginia Wesleyan) and 4:00 pm (CNU vs. Methodist). Links to both live stats and video can be found at www.CNUsports.com/LIVE or on the women's soccer schedule at CNUsports.com. 

CNU is off to a 2-0-1 start through their first three games, and is coming off a 2-2 draw against Virginia Wesleyan on Tuesday night. Trailing for the first time all season, the Captains erased a 2-0 deficit in the second half to force overtime, which was never played due to a lightning delay. 

The CNU offense is averaging 3.0 goals per game and has already posted a marquee win this season with a 1-0 double-overtime victory against 5th-ranked Trinity (Texas). Junior Gabby Gillis and rookie Riley Cook have led the way with two goals apiece, while sophomore Carson Pokorny and junior Kayla Locklear have each pitched in a goal and an assist for three points. 

Defensively, senior goalkeeper Carly Maglio has faced 33 shots and made 12 saves while posting a 0.99 goals-against average. The back line features senior Danielle Pratt, sophomores Keiley McCarthy and Shaye Doherty, and rookie Alexi Manley. 

The Captains' first opponent of the weekend will be Cal Lutheran (1-0-0), making the cross-country trek to Newport News after a season-opening victory, 3-1, against St. Catherine (Minn.). In that contest, Jordan Miller scored two of three goals, while Bri Pinal put away the eventual gamewinner on a header in the 56th minute of action. The Regals return 18 players this season including a senior class of seven that features first team All-Conference forward Kali Youngdahl. Youngdahl is a two-time All-Region pick has scored 16 goals with eight assists in her career. 

CNU will also take on former conference foe Methodist University over the weekend, taking on the Monarchs Sunday at 4:00 pm. Methodist has opened the year 0-2-0 and is coming off a tough 3-2 overtime setback at Goucher last weekend. Capri Clark scored both goals for the Monarchs, while Kaylee Kraus picked up an assist for the USA South Athletic Conference program. Methodist was picked third in the East Division of the USA South preseason poll, receiving one first-place vote. 

Finally, rounding out the tournament field is the Virginia Wesleyan Marlins, making the return trip across the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel after CNU played in Virginia Beach for the first three games of the season. The Marlins are 0-2-1 to start the year, with the lone draw coming against the Captains. Marli Hayward has scored a pair of goals to lead the way for VWU, while Alex Davidson has also added one. The Marlins were picked third in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference Preseason Poll.