SALISBURY, Md. -- The postseason begins on Saturday for the Christopher Newport men's soccer team, the sixth seed in the 2018 Capital Athletic Conference Tournament. The Captains (7-8-0) will travel to #3-seeded Salisbury University (11-3-2) for a 2:00 p.m. kickoff in the opening round at the Sea Gull Soccer Stadium.

The Captains are coming off a 2-1 win over St. Mary's (Md.) in the regular season finale while the Sea Gulls dropped a 5-0 decision at York (Pa.) in their last contest. Sophomore Tanner Dail scored both goals in the win for CNU, who snapped a three-game losing streak. 

For fans who can't attend the game in Maryland, a live video webcast and live stats will be presented by the Salisbury athletics department. 

The matchup is one of the most even series all-time for Christopher Newport men's soccer, with just one game separating the two teams over 37 matchups. With a 1-0 win earlier this season, Salisbury holds a 17-16-4 advantage in the all-time series. The one-goal victory this year came courtesy of a Salisbury goal with just 1:38 left in regulation despite the Captains outshooting the Sea Gulls, 13-6. 

The CNU defense has held opponents to just 15 goals in 15 games this season, with senior Zach Pedini starting every contest in goal for the Captains. Pedini ranks fourth all-time with 39 career wins while also playing in part of 19 career shutouts. His back line includes All-Region senior defender Bobby Seifert with junior Derek Cook and sophomores Daniel Hulett and Davis Pillow on the outside. The defense has held opponents to just 7.5 shots per game this season while allowing one or fewer goals in eight straight games. 

The Salisbury defense is also formidable, hold opponents to just 12 goals, including only seven prior to their final game of the regular season. Senior goalkeeper Trevor Brookhart owns a 0.69 goals-against average with an 84.1% save percentage and 58 stops this season. He has played all but 45 minutes in goal this season and has nine shutouts. 

Salisbury has won eight CAC Championships with the last coming in 2015, while CNU has a pair of conference trophies, including their last in 2016. 

The winner of the first round game will advance to face the winner of the #2-St. Mary's (Md.) and #7-Penn State Harrisburg matchup in the semifinals, set to be played on Wednesday, October 31. All the games in the CAC Tournament will be played at the site of the higher seed remaining.