NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Setting out to defend the conference crown the team has been collectively donning for three years, the seventh-ranked Christopher Newport women's soccer team will host third-seeded Mary Washington (9-10) on Wednesday night in the Capital Athletic Conference Semifinals. The Captains (15-1-3) will kickoff against the Eagles at 5:30 pm as both teams battle for a trip to the CAC Championship match. 

Admission to the postseason tournament game will be $5 for adults and $3 for children at Captains Field. Christopher Newport students will be admitted free of charge with a valid ID. Live stats and a live video webcast will be presented by the Christopher Newport Department of Athletics with links found on the women's soccer schedule at CNUsports.com. 

The Captains earned the No. 2 seed in the 2019 playoffs and will host the third-seeded Eagles after an opening round win over No. 6 Southern Virginia, 4-0. In the other first round matchup, #4 York (Pa.) handled St. Mary's (Md.), 3-0, and advanced to face top-seeded Salisbury at 2:30 pm on Wednesday afternoon. The two winning teams on Wednesday will advance to face off in the title bout on Saturday, November 9 at the highest seed remaining. 

Prior to Wednesday's matchup, the Captains moved up in the United Soccer Coaches Division III Women's Soccer Coaches Poll and are now ranked No. 7 heading into the conference tournament. Christopher Newport is also ranked No. 8 in the D3soccer.com Top 25 and are the second-ranked team in the South Atlantic NCAA Regional Rankings behind only TCNJ. 

Led by one of the most prolific scorers currently playing NCAA soccer at any level, Riley Cook, the Christopher Newport offense ranks is among the best in the nation in 2019. Cook has scored more goals in her career, with 66, than any non-senior in NCAA Division I, II, and III and ranks sixth among all players including seniors. This season, Cook has scored a program record 26 goals while adding three assists for 55 points, ranking fourth nationally. 

While Cook has been in the driver's seat offensively, the entire unit has been terrific with 187 points in 19 games this season (9.8 points per game). Six other players have scored 10 points or more this season with Madison Cochran and Emily Talotta tied for second with 18 points apiece. Cochran has scored seven goals with four assists while Talotta has added three goals and 12 helpers so far this season. 

While the offense has been sensational, the defense has been on a record-breaking pace of it's own. Having already set the single season record for shutouts in a season wtih 14, the Captains boast a 0.45 goals-against average and an .864 save percentage against opponents this season. Senior defender Keiley McCarthy and junior goalkeeper Haley Eiser have each started all 19 games to lead the stingy defense with senior Shaye Doherty also playing a major role. Eiser has nine solo shutouts and has made 56 saves on 65 shots on-goal this season. 

This will be the second year in a row and the fourth time the Captains and Eagles have squared off in the CAC Tournament. Last year, Christopher Newport won, 3-1, improving to 2-1-0 against Mary Washington in the postseason. The series now favors the Captains, 11-4-1, all-time with a pair of wins against the Eagles in the regular season. 

Mary Washington has won three straight since back-to-back 1-0 losses to Christopher Newport and Salisbury in the middle of September. The Eagles defeated St. Mary's, York, and Southern Virginia during their win streak, outscoring the trio, 8-1. Sophomore goalkeeper Allison Nork has led the way this season for the Eagles with a 1.16 goals-against average, ranking third in the league, and a save percentage over 78%. The defense has allowed 21 goals in 19 games so far this season. Offensively, senior Brielle Mitchell has scored a team-high 17 points on six goals and five assists while rookie Amanda Krest has added 12 points on 5 goals and 2 assists.