NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- The Christopher Newport women's soccer team returns to action on Wednesday night when the Captains host Virginia Wesleyan University (9-2-2) at 7:30 p.m. Heading into the mid-week matchup, CNU enters the contest ranked No. 13 in this week's national poll while boasting a 9-1-2 overall record.
Live stats and a live video webcast will be available on Wednesday night for fans unable to attend in person. Links to both can be found on the women's soccer schedule at CNUsports.com.
The United Soccer Coaches released updated national rankings on Tuesday with Christopher Newport sliding up one spot into a tie for 13th with Brandeis University (7-2-3). Also of note, the Captains other opponent this week, Swarthmore College, vaulted to No. 12 in the poll ahead of the Senior Day tilt on Saturday.
Wednesday night will be the 32nd meeting between CNU and Virginia Wesleyan. The matchup is one of the most evenly matched series all-time for Christopher Newport women's soccer, with the Captains posting a 12-13-6 record against their cross-water rivals. CNU is currently riding a nine-game unbeaten streak against Virginia Wesleyan with a 6-0-3 record since 2017.
Christopher Newport is coming off a 1-0 win against Southern Virginia last week and is now 6-1-0 at home in 2025. The defense ranks eighth in the country in goals-against average (0.33) while being led by junior goalkeeper
Amy Sidaway. The Shelby Township, Michigan native ranks fifth nationally in shutouts (7) and 11th in GAA (0.34); for her career, she ranks second across all three levels of NCAA play with a 0.40 goals-against average.
The back line has done a tremendous job despite relative inexperience, with three freshmen starting beside junior
Bella DiTommaso. Rookies
Malayah Warner,
Addy Hennessy, and
Nora Cook have played the bulk of the minutes while holding opopnents to just four goals in 12 games played. The CNU defense has surrendered just 6.8 shots per game including only 3.0 shots on-goal per contest.
Offensively, seniors
Hanna Heaton and
Molly Seventko top the scoring charts with 11 points apiece having scored four goals and added three assists each. Junior
Lexi Hazelgrove ranks third on the team with eight points on three goals and two assists.
Virginia Wesleyan has won four of the last five games with a five-game unbeaten streak heading into the Wednesday night matchup. On Saturday, the Marlins scored six goals in a shutout against Averett with six different players finding the back of the net. Shyenne Diaz leads the attack with eight goals and two assists for 18 points while Alexis Manfredi and Kaylyn Seitz have each added double figure scoring seasons. In goal, Allie Greco has started 12 of the 13 games played with a 0.80 goals-against average.
Following the Wednesday night game, the Captains will turn its focus to the final regular season home game of the season on Saturday, October 18. CNU will host 12th-ranked Swarthmore College for Senior Day at 4:30 p.m.
