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GLASSBORO, N.J. -- Making the team's second NCAA Tournament appearance in as many chances under head coach Justin Chezem, the nationally-ranked Christopher Newport men's soccer team will take on Eastern Connecticut State (13-6-0) in a neutral site opening round matchup Saturday, November 13 at 3:30 p.m. The Captains (10-4-2) will play at the Rowan Soccer Complex where the first two rounds will be played on the campus of Rowan University. 

The opening round matchups feature the host Profs entertaining the College of Mount Saint Vincent at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday prior to the 3:30 kickoff between CNU and Eastern. Live stats and a live video webcast will be available for all the action, presented by the Rowan University Department of Athletics. 

The winning teams will advance to play at 3:00 p.m. in the second round on Sunday with a bid to the NCAA Sectional Round on the line. 

Christopher Newport is making it's 12th all-time NCAA Tournament appearance this weekend after capturing the Coast-To-Coast Athletic Conference championship. The Captains and Warriors have only faced one time prior to Saturday's billing, with Christopher Newport capturing a 4-0 win in the 1998 regular season matchup. Eastern Connecticut State is making the team's seventh NCAA Tournament appearance this weekend. 

Fifth-year senior defender Davis Pillow has anchored another exceptional back line for the Captains this season, leading the team back into the postseason. The C2C Defensive Player of the Year headlined seven All-Conference selections for the Captains this year as the defense has allowed 1.12 goals per game while holding opponents to just 8.8 shots per game. Fellow fifth-year Daniel Hulett has helped calm the back line with his experience while Jacob Dudley and Jonathon Leiding have made up the bulk of the defensive minutes for CNU this year. 

Offensively, Leiding has also made an impact as he was named the MVP of the C2C Tournament following a pair of goals in the event. The first two goals of his career, Leiding earned the gamewinner in the championship game against Mary Washington. Senior Will Collins has four goals and three assists for a team-high 11 points while Chris Schram and Cory Hogge are each chipping in with nine points apiece. 

Eastern Connecticut State is making the team's first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2013 after capturing the Little East Conference Championship. The Warriors have won five straight and seven of their last eight en route to the postseason and are 13-6 overall this season. Eastern is tough defensively, allowing only 17 goals in 19 matches with eight shutouts this season. 

The winning team will advance to play at 3:00 pm on Sunday in the second round.