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GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Making the program's first ever appearance in the NCAA Division III Women's Soccer National Semifinals, the Christopher Newport women's soccer team is set to face off against defending national champion Williams College (17-1-4) on Friday night. Kickoff against the Ephs, ranked No. 5 in the nation, is scheduled for 7:45 as the final game of four being played at the UNCG Soccer Stadium on Friday. 

Tickets are available for fans attending the 2018 NCAA Division III Men's & Women's Soccer Semifinals on Friday, with the link to purchase found at the top of this page. Tickets will also be available at the ticket window adjacent to the stadium on the UNC Greensboro campus. Parking is available in the Walker Avenue parking deck across from the field. 

The Captains, entering Friday's final four matchup with an overall record of 21-1-0, is looking to extend a 16-game winning streak with the national championship berth on the line. CNU is making the program's first appearance while taking on Williams, who has won two of the last three national championships. In the other semifinal matchup, No. 1 Washington University (Mo.) is facing No. 3 Middlebury College at 5:00 pm. The two winning teams will advance to play for the 2018 title on Saturday at 7:00 pm. 

Leaning on a high-powered offense and suffocating defense, the Captains have enjoyed their finest season in the 22-year history of the program. Setting program marks for wins in a season (21), points scored (223), and goals-against average (0.54), Christopher Newport's historic performance has been led by first team All-Americans Riley Cook and Gabby Gillis. The CNU duo were named All-Americans during Thursday night's NCAA National Championship banquet while making history for the Captains by marking the first time more than one player earned All-American honors. 

Cook leads the scoring with 56 points on 25 goals and 6 assists while the sophomore leads the nation in game-winning goals with 12. Gillis, a two-time first-team All-American and two-time CAC Player of the Year, has set career highs in every statistical category while becoming just the third Captain to eclipse 40 points in a single season. While the dangerous tandem leads the way, the CNU offense features six double-figure scorers and 21 different players factoring into the scoring this season. 

Defensively, CNU has been led by juniors Keiley McCarthy, Shaye Doherty, and sophomore Lulu Manley on the back line, while sophomore goalkeeper Haley Eiser has started the majority of CNU games between the pipes. Holding opponents to just 8.5 shots per game, the back line has helped Eiser post a 0.61 goals-against average. The Captains have allowed just 12 goals in 22 games this season and has allowed more than one goal in a game only once. 

The Captains will be taking on an equally impressive defense on Friday night as Williams enters the semifinal with just 11 goals allowed in 22 games this season. Led by All-American junior defender Sarah Kelly, the Ephs back line registered eight straight shutouts early in the season and boast a 0.48 goals-against average. Senior goalkeeper Olivia Barnhill has started all 22 games and has made 73 saves for an .880 save percentage while boasting a 0.45 GAA. 

Offensively, All-American sophomore Sydney Jones has led the Ephs with 22 points on 10 goals and two assists. Like the Captains, Williams is bolstered by a relatively young roster with only three seniors in the starting lineup. Jones headlines a group of seven players at the top of the scoring chart for the Ephs that includes four sophomores, two freshmen, and one junior. 

The national semifinal bout will be the first matchup between the two teams all-time. 

For fans unable to attend the game in person, a live video webcast and live stats will be available on NCAA.com at the start of the contest. Direct links to both can be found at the top of this page and on the women's soccer schedule at CNUsports.com.