NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- The nationally-ranked Christopher Newport women's soccer team is set to open the 2026 season on Tuesday afternoon with a 5:00 p.m. kickoff at Captains Field against Methodist University. Live stats and a live video webcast will be available at CNUsports.com. 

Starting the sixth season under head coach Jamie Gunderson, the Captains have lost just one regular season game at home in his first five. Prior to a season-ending setback at home in the NCAA Tournament, the Captains boasted a 55-1-6 record in home games since October 23, 2016. The home field dominance in that stretch includes four straight wins against Methodist at Captains Field with the last matchup being a 5-1 victory for the hosts on October 22, 2024. 

All-time, the Captains and Monarchs have matched up 32 times with CNU leading the all-time series 22-6-4. Heading into Tuesday's season opener, the Captains are riding a 13-match win streak and a 15-game unbeaten streak against Methodist. 

With a .908 career winning percentage (93-4-12), Gunderson, a Methodist graduate, entered the NCAA record books after reaching the minimum required five seasons at the helm. He is currently the NCAA all-division leader in winning percentage among active head coaches as he embarks on his sixth season leading Christopher Newport. 

This season, he will lean on a veteran core that includes senior All-Region stars Bella DiTommaso, Lexi Hazelgrove, and Amy Sidaway. DiTommaso anchors a back line that includes returners Malayah Warner, Addy Hennessy, and Nora Cook, while Hazelgrove is the team's leading scorer returning in 2026. Sidaway has put together a record-breaking career in net for the Captains with a program-high 33 shutouts and program-low 0.41 goals-against average. 

Offensively, the Captains boast a group of dangerous weapons including veterans Grace Shifflett, Ellie Diehl, AP Webb, and Brooke White. Each found the back of the net a year ago while senior Bella Ventimiglia and sophomore Julia Joyner each added two assists. 

CNU finished last season with a 14-2-3 overall record and will take on a Methodist squad that finished out the 2025 campaign with a 5-5-6 mark. Head coach Bryan Madej is entering his 16th season and is the all-time leader in wins at Methodist with NCAA Tournament appearances in 2017 and 2022. The Monarchs are picked fourth in the 2026 USA South Women's Soccer Preseason Poll and returns third-leading scorer Brynn Ludka to lead the offense after scoring six points a year ago. 

Following the mid-week matchup for the season opener, the Captains will stay at home for a pair this weekend as the Captains take on Hardin-Simmons University (Sep 4) and Chapman University (Sep 6).