NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Continuing to flex one of the top defenses in the nation, the Christopher Newport men's soccer team collected it's fifth Coast-To-Coast Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week selection on Monday when junior Jonathon Leiding was picked for the second straight week.

CNU has earned the honor in five of a possible seven selections this season. Leiding and the rest of the Captains' defense held one of the nation's top offensive units scoreless in their only game this week, picking up a 1-0 win at St. Mary's (Md.) on Saturday evening. Heading into the contest, St. Mary's ranked fourth nationally in total goals, ninth in scoring offense, and had not been shut out all season long. In fact, it was only their second shutout against during fall competition since September 28, 2019. 

Leiding helped CNU lock up the team's third consecutive shutout and fourth in the last five games. CNU has eight shutouts in 12 games, ranking ninth natinoally in shutout percentage (.667) and 21st overall in goals-against average (0.593). 

While helping keep opposing tacks off the scoreboard, Leiding also contributed on the offensive end this week with the game-winning goal against the Seahawks. His first goal of the season came after a corner kick was not cleared away and the junior defender collected the loose ball at the top of the box, cut back on one defender, and blistered a hard shot through traffic for the score. 

CNU is now unbeaten in eight of the last nine games with seven shutouts in that stretch. The defense has allowed only seven goals through the first 12 games, boasting a 0.59 goals-against average. 

The Captains will put their record to the test on Wednesday as they host Salisbury University in a doubleheader at Captains Field with the women's team. First up, the nationally-ranked CNU men's program will take on the Sea Gulls at 5:00 p.m. followed by a 7:00 p.m. women's soccer game between the Captains and University of Mary Washington Eagles. 

2022 C2C Men's Soccer Weekly Award Winners
Sept 5: OFF - Josh Kirkland (UMW), DEF - Ethan Larson (CNU)
Sept 12: OFF - Clayton Mobile (UWP), DEF - Kyle Stenzel (CNU)
Sept 19: OFF - Jack Gentilli (UWP), DEF - Ethan Larson (CNU)
Sept 26: OFF - Christian Mendoza-Huynh (FIN), DEF - Seth Aiken (UWP)
Oct 3: OFF - Sebastian Carranza (UWP), DEF - Brant Mueller (UWP)
Oct 10: OFF - Chinedu Ikem (FIN), DEF - Jonathon Leiding (CNU)
Oct 17: OFF - Josh Kirkland (UMW), DEF - Jonathon Leiding (CNU)