FREDERICKSBURG, Va. -- The nationally-ranked Christopher Newport men's soccer team will travel to Mary Washington Saturday in a pivotal pairing set to kick off at 12:00 Noon. The teams feature identical records of 7-3-2 overall this season and both were listed among the Region VI ranked teams in the first release from the NCAA earlier this week. 

The Captains are riding a four-match win streak that includes a 2-1 win over Mary Washington in the Newport News end of the home-and-home series this season. The first contest featured an even shot count and Christopher Newport won the match on a header in the 66th minute. CNU improved to 24-20-5 all-time against the Eagles, ending a stretch that saw Mary Washington win three of the previous five outings. 

Following the loss to CNU, the Eagles have gone unbeaten through three games with a 2-0 win against Catholic, scoreless draw versus Salisbury, and a 6-1 win at St. Mary's (Md.). 

Christopher Newport checked back into the national rankings this week after their current four-match roll and will carry the No. 23 designation into the weekend tilt. The game is the penultimate regular season showing for the Captains, who will close out the year at home against Salisbury on October 27 in preparation for the postseason. 

Senior Will Collins has taken over the team's scoring lead with three goals and three assists for 9 points so far. Cory Hogge and Chris Schram have each scored seven points on three goals and an assist this year, while Owen Burnett, Colin McMunn, and Ethan Larson each have a pair of scoring tallies as well. 

In goal, Cole Irvin has made ten starts for the Captains to lead the way with a 1.12 GAA. Sophomore Gabe Barros has started the last two contests, making seven saves and earning Coast-To-Coast Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week plaudits. In front of the CNU keeper, seniors Daniel Hulett and Davis Pillow lead the back line with Jacob Dudley and Jonathon Leiding helping shut down opponents to the tune of just 7.8 shots allowed per game. 

Mary Washington has been led by junior Josh Kirkland, scoring five goals with two assists for a team-high 12 points so far this year. Rookie Carter Berg has notched a pair of goals to go with his team-best five helpers for a nine-point first year while All-Region senior forward Jeremy Hokenson has added seven points on two goals and three assists. 

Senior goalkeeper Ken Kurtz, who did not play against CNU in the first matchup, has started 10 games with a 0.57 GAA this season. He has five solo shutouts to lead the Eagles to a 6-2-2 record in his 10 games played. 

For fans unable to attend at the Battlefield Complex in Fredericksburg, Va., live stats and a live video webcast will be provided by the Mary Washington Department of Athletics. Links can be found on the men's soccer schedule at CNUsports.com. 

Following Saturday's afternoon tilt, the Captains will return home for a 5:00 pm showing against Salisbury on Wednesday, October 27 to close out the regular season.