NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- The nationally-ranked Christopher Newport women's soccer program is headed back on the road Wednesday for a mid-week matchup at the University of Lynchburg, set to kick off on Shellenberger Field at 6:00 pm. The heavyweight bout will feature the undefeated 11th-ranked Captains at 5-0-0 on the season, taking on the host Hornets, boasting a 7-1-0 overall record. 

In addition to Wednesday's matchup, the United Soccer Coaches and D3soccer.com released updated rankings through play this weekend. The Captains are tabbed No. 11 in the USC poll and ranked No. 9 in the D3soccer.com Week 4 rankings. Lynchburg is not far behind in the D3soccer.com Top 25, ranked No. 12 after the strong start while also hauling in a No. 20 tabulation in the preseason United Soccer Coaches poll. 

Live stats and a live video webcast will be available for fans who can not attend the road game for the Captains, with links found on the women's soccer schedule at CNUsports.com. 

The all-time series against the Hornets favors Lynchburg, 11-4-2, including last year's NCAA Tournament second round matchup. The Hornets won, 2-1, to end a program record 17-game winning streak for the Captains. CNU last defeated Lynchburg in 2015, 3-2 in overtime, when then freshman Gabby Gillis notched a two-goal game, including the winner over the Hornets. 

Gillis leads the team this season with 16 points on six goals and four assists, including a pair of game-winning strikes. The senior midfielder has helped guide the Captains to a 5-0 start, outscoring opponents 18-3. Lynchburg is also riding a five-match winning streak, outscoring opponents 19-1 in that run. Leading the way is senior Caitlin Mertens with back-to-back hat tricks. 

Mertens has 24 points on 11 goals and 2 assists this season, while fellow senior Kennedy Jakubek has added 11 points on 3 goals and 5 helpers. The veteran-led Hornets have also been strong defensively with six shutouts in eight games for a 0.25 goals-against average. 

Behind Gillis, sophomore Riley Cook has added 12 points on 5 goals and 2 assists to help lead an offense that has seen six different goal scorers in the first five games. Sophomore Maxine Borris ranks second in assists, with three, while CNU ranks 11th nationally in assists per game with 3.0 per contest. As a team, CNU also ranks 27th nationally in scoring offense with 3.60 goals per game. 

Following Wednesday's non-conference matchup at Lynchburg, CNU will host Penn State Harrisburg on Saturday, September 29 in the CAC opener.