NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- For the first time in 2018, the nationally-ranked Christopher Newport women's soccer team is set to take on the track at Captains Field, scheduled to host Penn State Harrisburg in Capital Athletic Conference action on Saturday, September 29. Kickoff for the Captains is set for 4:00 pm as part of a conference doubleheader with the men's teams, taking the field immediately following the conclusion of the women's matchup.
The Captains (5-1-0) are coming off their first loss of the season coming at nationally-ranked Lynchburg, 2-1, on Wednesday night. CNU has yet to play a home game at Captains Field this season due to weather concerns; the Captains did start a game against Johns Hopkins at Captains Turf Field, but that game was postponed due to heavy rainfall at halftime.
It is the latest home opener in program history by nearly two weeks -- the first home game in 2008 was September 19 -- and also the most games played away from home before the first game in Newport News. Last season, the Captains set a new program record for consecutive home victories, with 13 in a row, and CNU is 20-1-1 against the Capital Athletic Conference in regular season home games.
Penn State Harrisburg enters Saturday's contest with a 5-4-1 overall record, coming off a 3-1 setback against Lebanon Valley on Tuesday, September 25. The Lions have played into overtime three times this season, and boast five shutouts defensively.
The Captains own a 5-0-0 advantage in the all-time series, including a 1-0 victory against the Lions last season. Three of those wins have come at home.
CNU, ranked as high as number nine nationally, featuring a pair of the league's top goal scorers in senior
Gabby Gillis and sophomore
Riley Cook. Gillis leads the league and Cook ranks second with 18 and 12 points, respectively, as both have a pair of game-winning strikes. Gillis has seven goals and four assists, while Cook has added five goals and a pair of helpers. The senior midfielder ranks 18th nationally in points per game and in the top 25 in goals scored per contest.
Defensively, sophomore
Lulu Manley is flanked by juniors
Shaye Doherty and
Keiley McCarthy as the defense plays in front of sophomore goalkeeper
Haley Eiser. Wednesday's two-goal effort by Lynchburg was the first time this season the Captains defense allowed more than one goal in a season, good for a 0.83 goals-against average.
Penn State Harrisburg has been led by rookie Kaeleigh Smedley with nine points in her first 10 games. Smedley has scored three goals and added three assists, while junior defender Madison Hemler has added three goals and two assists for eight points. The Lions defense has allowed a 1.25 goals-against average, with senior Kayla Arnold starting all 10 games and playing all but 40 minutes this season. She has four solo shutouts and one combined effort as all five of the Lions wins have been clean sheets.
Live stats and a live video webcast will be available for the action from Captains Field, with links found on the women's soccer schedule at CNUsports.com.
