VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- After an offseason of anticipation with ten starters returning for the 2019 version of the Christopher Newport women's soccer program, the season will begin on Friday night against Westfield State University (0-0) as part of the Virginia Wesleyan University kickoff tournament. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. against the Owls as the first of two games for the Captains across the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel, as Christopher Newport will also take on Luther College (0-0) at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday. 

The fourth-ranked Captains are coming off a 21-2-0 season that saw the team win the program's third consecutive conference championship and earn the team's first ever trip to the NCAA Division III National Semifinals. This season, the target is affixed squarely to the backs of the Captains as they open the season with the highest national ranking in program history at No. 4 nationally. 

The Captains' first opponent also reached the NCAA Tournament a year ago as Westfield State won the MASCAC and is picked to repeat as conference champs this season. The Owls have been training in Virginia Beach all week and open the season against the Captains with returning conference player of the year Bella Eduardo and 2017 conference rookie of the year Lydia Kinsman. Last season, Westfield State was 10-7-3 overall. 

On day two of the Virginia Wesleyan tournament, Christopher Newport will take on a Luther squad out of Iowa. Leading the Norse in 2019 is All-Conference goalkeeper Kennedy Bergren after posting a 0.719 goals-against average and an .833 save percentage. 

For Christopher Newport, the depth of veteran talent is unprecedented with three All-Region returners set to lead the contingent in 2019. At forward, first team All-American Riley Cook returns after the finest individual offensive season in program history. After just two seasons, she is already closing in on the career scoring record at Christopher Newport after becoming the first player, men's or women's, to eclipse the 50-point plateau in a season last year. Also earning All-Region honors last season was senior defender Keiley McCarthy, a repeat selection as one of the Captains outside backs. She and All-Region goalkeeper Haley Eiser helped Christopher Newport post one of the best defensive seasons ever in Newport News. Eiser notched 11 shutouts and a 0.61 goals-against average for the Captains last season. 

Head coach Dan Weiler was named the D3soccer.com National Coach of the Year in 2018 and led the United Soccer Coaches South Atlantic Region Staff of the Year. Heading into the 2019 season, he falls just three wins shy of 100 with a 97-19-9 overall record at Christopher Newport. His 81.2% winning percentage is the best all-time in the Capital Athletic Conference and his overall coaching record ranks 20th among active Division III women's soccer coaches. 

For fans who can not attend the game live in Virginia Beach, a live stream will be provided online courtesy of the VWU Department of Athletics. A full recap and box score will be available at CNUsports.com following the action.