NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- As the NCAA released the bracket for the 2018 Division III Women's Soccer Championship Tournament, the 12th-ranked Christopher Newport women's soccer team learned it would host a first- and second-round pod for the second year in a row. The Captains (17-1-0) will play the College of Staten Island (12-6-0) in the first round while welcoming Scranton (15-1-3) and Arcadia (12-5-3) for the other opening round action.
Riding a 12-game winning streak, the CNU women's soccer team captured the program's third straight Capital Athletic Conference Championship to earn it's 11th NCAA Tournament appearance. It is the fifth NCAA appearance in six seasons under head coach
Dan Weiler and the second time CNU has been selected to host.
In the first round, CNU will take on the Dolphins, making their fourth NCAA Tournament appearance after winning the CUNYAC Championship to earn an automatic berth. Staten Island won, 6-2, in the CUNYAC title game against John Jay to earn their fourth straight NCAA Tournament appearance.
In the other first-round matchup at Captains Field, Scranton is making the team's 18th overall and third straight postseason appearance with an at-large berth for the Royals. Scranton fell in a penalty kick shootout to Susquehanna in the Landmark Conference championship game. Arcadia University also earned an at-large berth into the NCAA Tournament after suffering a 1-0 double overtime loss to No. 3 Messiah in the MAC Commonwealth Championship Game.
The selection by the NCAA National Championship Committee marks the sixth time in program history, and second straight, that CNU will host the tournament, including their historic run to the NCAA Elite Eight in 2004.
The first game, featuring CNU and CSI, will be played at 5:00 pm on Saturday, November 10 followed by the first-round matchup between Scranton and Arcadia at 7:30 pm. The second round matchup will be played on Sunday, November 11 at 6:00 pm. Live stats and a live video webcast will be available for all three games, with links at CNUsports.com. Tickets will be $6 for adults and $3 for children.
