NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Powered by an impressive weekend that saw the team take down a pair of top-25 opponents, the Christopher Newport men's soccer team surged back into the United Soccer Coaches National Rankings up to No. 22 in the nation. The Captains are now 5-1-0 to start this season and will next take the field on Saturday, September 24 against Mary Washington.

Christopher Newport opened the year ranked No. 11 in the preseason coaches poll and dropped out after a loss to unranked Clarkson University.  CNU rebounded with wins over then No. 23 Covenant and No. 25 UT Dallas to right the ship and re-enter the poll this week. Clarkson also turned enough heads with a 5-0-0 start to enter the poll for the first time this week.

At the top of the coaches poll, the University of Chicago moved up to No. 1 and is followed in order by Messiah, Stevens, Kenyon, and North Park to round out the top five. The D3soccer.com Top 25 was also released for the first time in 2022, listing the Captains in the 'others receiving votes' category. CNU's next opponent, Mary Washington, is also receiving votes in both polls.

The Captains have been led by a dominant defense that has allowed only two goals all season, ranking 13th nationally in goals-against average with a 0.34 mark. Fifth-year senior Ethan Larson has been at the head of that defense with three solo shutouts and one combined effort between the pipes for four clean sheets as a team. The back line -- including Jacob Dudley, Jonah Fitz, Ryan Kiely, Jonathon Leiding, and Kyle Stenzel -- has held opponents to just 5.3 total shots per game so far this season.

On the offensive end, eight different Captains have scored 10 goals so far this year. Rookie Asher Kuzemka and senior Brendan Todd lead the way with two apiece.

The 22nd-ranked Christopher Newport men's soccer Captains will be back in action this Saturday against Coast-To-Coast Athletic Conference foe Mary Washington at 6:00 p.m. Live stats and a live video webcast will be available on CNUsports.com.