Christopher Newport University Men's Soccer Faces Challenging 2025 Schedule

The Christopher Newport Captains are set to face a tough 2025 schedule, following a grueling 2024 season in which they faced the nation's toughest schedule in Division III men's soccer. Under the guidance of head coach Justin Chezem, the team will open the season with a six-game homestand, featuring matchups against six teams that competed in the 2024 NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Championship. The Captains will face four teams ranked in the preseason top 25, including No. 4 Washington and Lee, No. 8 Dickinson College, No. 9 Mary Washington, and No. 11 Trinity University (Texas).

Key Takeaways:

The Christopher Newport Captains face a challenging 2025 schedule, featuring six games against teams that competed in the 2024 NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Championship.
The team will open the season with a six-game homestand, including matchups against No. 4 Washington and Lee, No. 8 Dickinson College, and No. 11 Trinity University (Texas).
The Captains will face four teams ranked in the preseason top 25.
Returning forwards Manzi Siibo (4g, 1a) and Zach Ruhlman (3g) will lead the offense, while defenders Asher Kuzemka and Declan Karney will provide defensive strength.
The team's 2025 season will begin on August 29 against the United States Merchant Marine Academy.

Statistics:

6 games against teams that competed in the 2024 NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Championship.
4 teams ranked in the preseason top 25: No. 4 Washington and Lee, No. 8 Dickinson College, No. 9 Mary Washington, and No. 11 Trinity University (Texas).
6 games against Newport University in the first 3 weeks of the season.
21 total games in the 2025 season.
The Captains reached the C2C Championship in 2024, where they suffered a heart-breaking 2-1 overtime loss to the host and top-ranked Eagles of Mary Washington.

Sources:

Christopher Newport University, The State of Virginia
United Coaches Association (UCA) Preseason Top 25 Rankings