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ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. -- In their first game as non-conference opponents, the Christopher Newport Captains (3-2-1) blew past the N.C. Wesleyan Battling Bishops (1-3-1), behind the first career hat trick by Jalon Brown. The CNU junior scored all three goals in a 3-0 shutout over the Bishops, leading CNU to their second straight win over a USA South opponent. 

Brown, CNU's leading scorer, wasted no time getting the Captains an early lead. It was just over seven minutes into the game when sophomore Ryan Balfour slipped a pass by the Bishops keeper, Drew Thompson, where Brown was waiting to put away the goal.

The eventual game-winner started one of the best games in Brown's career, but the Captains still led just 1-0 with 25 minutes to go. Torben Vennemann was carded in the 66th minute, giving way to a CNU penalty kick. Brown stepped up and drilled his second goal of the contest for an insurance tally. 

The Captains defense was strong behind Brown, allowing just two shots on-goal in the game. Senior keeper Sean Killion stopped both attempts to preserve his second shutout of the season. Sean Christein, Charlie Dodge, Tommy O'Neal and Zack Hopkins led the defensive effort, allowing nine total shots in the game. 

Brown capped off his first career hat trick on an unassisted tally in the 80th minute. With just over 10 minutes remaining, senior Caleb Lewis played a ball into the box that the defense tried to clear. Brown was the first to get the second ball, however, and his first touch found the bottom right pocket of the goal. 

It was the 36th hat trick in program history, and the first since Winston Mattheisen's in 2011. It is just the second time that a CNU player scored three times against the Bishops. 

In the game, CNU dominated the pressure going forward, out-shooting North Carolina Wesleyan 17-9, including a 10-2 advantage in shohts on-frame. Thompson made seven saves in goal for the Bishops, while Killion's pair lowered his season goals against average to 0.64.

The Captains wrap up a five-game road trip this weekend as they travel to Roanoke College on September 21 at 7:00 pm.