NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Looking to right the ship after a four-game skid, the Christopher Newport men's soccer team returns to Captains Field for the first time since the opening weekend of the season this Saturday, September 29 as they host Penn State Harrisburg in the Capital Athletic Conference opener. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 pm as part of a doubleheader with the women's teams, kicking off at 4:00 pm.
The Captains are 3-4-0 this season after suffering four straight one-goal setbacks, including three in overtime, marking the first time since 1995 that CNU has lost four in a row. Two of the losses came in extra time against nationally-ranked competition, as CNU fell 1-0 at No. 21 Lynchburg and 2-1 at No. 18 Lycoming. A return home is welcome, as CNU is 8-1-1 in the last ten games at Captains Field.
Penn State Harrisburg offers a stiff test for the Captains, riding an undefeated 11-game roll to start the season entering Saturday's action. In their last game, five different Lions scored in a 5-1 victory over Wilson on Tuesday, September 25, and Penn State Harrisburg has outscored their last four opponents, 19-1.
The Captains own a 5-1-0 advantage in the all-time series against the Lions, including a 4-1 victory at Captains Field last season.
This season, Christopher Newport opened the year with convincing victories against Greensboro (6-1) and Pfeiffer (6-0) before earning a 3-2 win at N.C. Wesleyan. The offense is led by senior
Stephen Durbin, who has scored 9 points on 3 goals and 3 assists.
Derek Cook and
David Eddleton have added three goals apiece for the Captains, who are averaging 2.57 goals per game.
Cook also helps anchor the back line with
Bobby Seifert,
Davis Pillow, and
Daniel Hulett. The Captains defense has played in front of senior goalkeeper
Zach Pedini all season long, who has played all but 24 minutes this season. Pedini has a 1.45 goals-against average and has saved 72.2% of shots on goal.
The Lions are receiving votes in the D3soccer.com Top 25 poll and are led by the league's leading scorer in Joey Aman. The sophomore has 22 points on 10 goals and 2 assists this season, while three more Penn State Harrisburg players are in double figure scoring for the Lions. Toma Nichik has 18 points (7g, 4a), Ethan Hoover with 17 (6g, 5a), and Luis Velasco has added 10 points (5g). That quartet has accounted for eight of the 11 game-winning goals this year for Penn State Harrisburg.
Defensively, the Lions have been tough against their opponents so far, posting eight shutouts and boasting a 0.27 goals-against average. Sophomores Nicholas Guglielmetti and Carlos Acosta have split most of the time in goal with four starts each, while Hunter Cooper has two and Joshua Myers one.
For fans who can not attend the game at Captains Field, live stats and a live video webcast will be available with links at CNUsports.com.
