NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- After seeing a 12-game winning streak snapped with a scoreless draw in their last outing, the third-ranked Christopher Newport women's soccer team will look to extend an unbeaten streak that has spanned nearly four seasons on Tuesday evening when they host Methodist University at 5:00 p.m.

The Captains are 12-0-2 overall this season and 72-0-9 since the start of the 2021 season when coach Jamie Gunderson took the helm for his first career head coaching position. The 81 consecutive games without a loss is an NCAA Division III record and CNU is only the second program at any level to reach as many games without suffering a defeat, joining Division I North Carolina. 

Live stats and a live video webcast will be available for all the action on Tuesday evening as CNU hosts Methodist at Captains Field. Admission to the penultimate game of the regular season is free of charge. 

Methodist has faced off against the Captains 30 times prior to Tuesday night, with Christopher Newport owning a 20-6-4 advantage in the all-time series. Twice during the 81 game streak did the Captains take down Methodist, with a 1-0 win in 2023 and a 6-0 victory in 2022. Those wins extended an 11-game win streak against Gunderson's alma mater, dating back to the 2009 season, the same year the CNU helmsman graduated. 

This season, Methodist is 6-6-0 including back-to-back wins over Pfeiffer and Mary Baldwin heading into the mid-week matchup against the Captains. The Monarchs have played three common opponents with the Captains this season: vs. Southern Virginia, falling 1-0 to the Knights, Mary Washington, a 7-0 loss, and a 4-1 setback at Salisbury, who CNU will face in the finale this Saturday. CNU toppled SVU, 5-0, and Mary Washington, 2-0, in back-to-back games earlier this month. 

The CNU defense has headlined the impressive campaign thus far, ranking in the top-ten nationally in goals-against average and shutout percentage. With 11 clean sheets in 14 games, the back line has been impressive and are currently in the midst of the second longest shutout streak in program history with a roll of 700:53 heading into Tuesday night. Sophomore goalkeeper Amy Sidaway has been between the pipes for almost the full duration while the defense has been primarily Reanna Slate, Nyah Savage, Bella DiTommaso, and Kyleigh Gough. 

Two-time first team All-Region midfielder Ellie Cox and three-time All-Conference forward Emma Ricci just played in her 80th career game, just one shy of Savage's team-high 81. Reanna Slater has also been involved in 72 matchups as the quartet continue to lead one of the most consistent starting lineups in Division III. Cox has continued her career as a cool-headed presence in the midfield, adding five points on two goals and one assist while Ricci is among the team leaders in scoring for her fourth straight season, pouring in nine points on three goals and three assists. 

Methodist enters the game being led by three players with four goals apiece this season. Kelsey Burge and Lola Campbell each have two goals while Corrine Shovlain has added one goal and two assists for the Monarchs attack. Methodist has surrendered just 19 goals in 12 games this season with Carolina Simpkins taking the lead in goal with a 1.06 goals-against average and save percentage nearing 81 percent. 

Following the Tuesday evening matchup, Christopher Newport will host Senior Night against Salisbury University this Saturday, October 26. Game time is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.