NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- After Hurricane Ida ruined the Captains' plans to open the season earlier this week, Christopher Newport men's soccer will now host the Steve Shaw Classic this weekend to kick off the 2021 season. Five teams will take on the pitch at Captains Field with four games scheduled between Saturday and Sunday's opening weekend for CNU. For the Captains, after nearly 660 days away from their home field, the opening whistle will blow at 3:00 p.m. against Covenant College on Saturday afternoon. 

Following the Saturday matchup, the Captains will return to the field for a Sunday matinee at 3:30 p.m. as they take on Gettysburg College.  Betwixt, the first game on Sunday will feature the University of Lynchburg taking on Greensboro College at 1:00 p.m. Also facing off this weekend at Captainss Field will be Gettysburg and Greensboro in the first game of the second Annual Steve Shaw Classic at 12:30 p.m. Saturday. 

Live stats and live video will be available for all four contests with links found at CNUsports.com. 

The Captains have not played an official contest since the conclusion of the 2019 season when they appeared in the NCAA Tournament Second Round at home. Since then, the COVID-19 pandemic caused the cancellation of the entire 2020 season and forced a nearly two-year gap in official game action in Newport News. On Saturday, after 657 days, head coach Justin Chezem will embark on his second season at the helm for the Captains after the team went 14-2-5 in his debut campaign in 2019. 

Returning to the field for the Captains are a pair of fifth-year defenders in Daniel Hulett and Davis Pillow to lead what was statistically the best defense in program history two years ago. Jacob Dudley also contributed to the stingy defense and returns for his junior year while Clark Chapman is back in action as well to help fortify the back line. 

After leading the team in scoring in 2019, Lincoln Kickbush is back to headline the returning offensive group while Tanner Dail and Will Collins are also back in the fold for 2021. A host of midfield options including Colin McMunn, Brendan Todd, Harry Whittleton, and Sam Dickinson will help provide veteran leadership on both sides of the ball. The Captains' roster is up to 40 at the start of the season including nearly 30 of whom who have previous collegiate experience. 

The veteran squad will take on Covenant first after the Scots posted an impressive 18-2-2 season during the 2019 scampaign. Led by Conference Coach of the Year Scott Bosgraf, the Scots posted the most wins in a season since 2002 while going a perfect 13-0 in USA South play. 

On Sunday, Christopher Newport's opponent is Gettysburg College. The Bullets feature just one senior on a team that includes 19 players who have yet to make their collegiate debut due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Jonathan Molina was a second team All-Conference pick and junior Connor O'Donnell was an honorable mention All-League pick. 

Christopher Newport is ranked No. 22 in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 to start the year and carry a seven-match unbeaten streak into the season.