SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- Heading to the Lone Star state for non-conference action this weekend, the Christopher Newport men's soccer team will return to action this weekend on the campus of Trinity University in San Antonio. The Captains are off to a 3-0-0 start and will face the host Tigers (1-2-1) on Friday night at 7:00 pm locally, 8:00 pm Eastern before also taking on Hardin-Simmons University (5-0-0) on Saturday evening at 8:00 pm.
Live stats and video will be available for both games with links found on the men's soccer schedule at CNUsports.com.
Under the direction of first-year head coach
Justin Chezem, the Captains are off to a 3-0 start for the first time since 2016. Senior defender
Derek Cook has scored a pair of goals and have added a pair of assists for a team-leading six points this season while also leading a defense that has allowed just three goals. Sophomores
Will Collins and
Lincoln Kickbush have also added a pair of goals for four points to rank second on the team.
In goal, senior
Justin Piercy has started all three games with a 1.09 goals-against average, making 10 saves in 13 shots on-goal so far this season.
The Captains are facing Trinity for the first time since 2014 and trail the all-time series, 1-3, while this will be the first ever matchup against Hardin-Simmons. The Tigers opened the season with a 2-1 overtime win against Texas-Dallas before sliding to 1-2-1 including a 3-1 setback to Hardin-Simmons. The Cowboys are off toa perfect 5-0-0 start while outscoring opponents 11-4.
Trinity was picked to win their eighth consecutive conference title in the preseason poll and was ranked 9th nationally in the pre-season United Soccer Coaches Division III poll. Five different veterans have scored goals for the Tigers this season. Hardin-Simmons has been led by senior Frane Vidosevic with three goals and an assist while rookie Freddy Hernandez has burst onto the scene with three goals in his first five games played.
Following the trip to Texas, the Captains will return to campus to host the University of Lynchburg next Wednesday, September 18. Kickoff against the Hornets is slated for 7:00 pm.
