NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- As hundreds of families descend onto campus for the annual CNU Family Weekend, the first athletic event available at home will feature the nation's top-ranked Christopher Newport women's soccer team playing host to the Stevens Institute of Technology Ducks (1-3-3) at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday morning. The Captains have opened the year with a 7-0-1 with a 31-match unbeaten streak heading into this weekend.
The No. 1 CNU women's soccer team is coming off a hard-fought 1-0 win against Randolph-Macon College on Wednesday night, running the team's win streak to six straight games. Stevens has played a grueling schedule with their most recent matchup coming against No. 16 TCNJ, falling to the Lions 1-0. The Ducks also opened the year playing Messiah, currently ranked No. 2 in the nation, and dropped that matchup, 3-2. This will be the first-ever matchup between Christopher Newport and Stevens.
Live stats and a live video webcast will be available at CNUsports.com and admission to the game is free of charge. Fans are advised that there is a 2:00 p.m. CNU Football game and Lot I will be closed for tailgating. Recommended parking for Captains Field includes Lots E2, E3 and E4. For a complete campus map,
click here.
The Captains continue to be led by the team's dominant defense which ranks in the top-30 nationally with a 0.50 goals against average through the first eight games. CNU has a .625 shutout percentage, ranking 25th nationally, including the first career clean sheet for sophomore goalkeeper
Jaya Daniel on Wednesday night. Daniel has started six games in the goal for CNU, making 17 saves with a perfect 6-0-0 record.
The back line has been led by All-American
Jill McDonald, who has scored two goals this season, and rookie
Kate Eissenberg, who has yet to come off the field during a game through the first eight. On the outside,
Nyah Savage and
Sarah Rhiel continue to be dangerous offensively as well as helping to lock down the back line, while sophomore
Ellie Cox has been a player to watch in the defensive midfield.
Offensively, rookie
Kyleigh Gough scored the lone goal on Wednesday night and now ranks second on the team in scoring with six points on three goals this year. Fellow freshman
Molly Seventko has one goal and three helpers to rank tied for third with five points and is one of six different players to log the seven game-winning goals already this year.
Stevens enters the Saturday matchup having lost two straight after a scoreless draw against NYU on September 11. The Ducks are led offensively by Amelia Rehrig with three goals and one assist for seven points. Jana Mucci has added two goals, including the team's lone winner.
Following Saturday morning's matchup, the Captains will hit the road for four straight games away from home. First will be a trip to Roanoke College on Wednesday, September 28 at 4:30 p.m.
