Alec Faulkner
Keller Gabriel

Men's Soccer

CNU Scores Three Second-Half Goals to Win First Ever CAC Game, 3-0, Over Wesley

Jalon Brown nets winner in 58th minute

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NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Led by a dominant performance from the offensive unit, the Christopher Newport University men's soccer team ran their win streak to five as they shut out Wesley College (3-5-2, 0-1-0) in their first ever Capital Athletic Conference matchup. The Captains improve to 6-2-1 overall, 1-0-0 in the CAC after a 3-0 win Saturday evening. 

Leading scorer Jalon Brown put away the gamewinner in the 58th minute, opening the flood gates for the CNU offense, with two more goals in the second stanza to run away with the win. The passing was crisp and precise all evening, leading to a trifecta of pretty plays for pay dirt. 

The first score came on a combination play started by Ryan Balfour. The sophomore forward split a pair of defenders to find Alec Faulkner making a run up the left side. Faulkner picked up his first point of the season with an assist, as he slipped a pass ahead to Jalon Brown, again splitting a pair of defenders, where the junior forward was able to put away the eventual gamewinning goal low and to the right. 

In the 74th minute, the Captains got another goal off of a set piece deep in Wesley territory. Faulkner stepped up to take the free kick, just outside the box on the left side. A host of Captains rushed the box and the ball found the head of Tommy O'Neal for the second goal of the night. It was O'Neal's third goal of the season and Faulkner's second assist of the night. 

Finally, CNU capped a terrific night of team soccer when rookie Jimmy Grace tickled the twine for the first time in his collegiate career. In the 88th minute, another terrific combination play led to Grace's tally, as Brown started it from the right side. Brown beat a defender to the goal line and lifted a long cross over the keeper's head, where Garrett Van Nutt was able to corral the ball and flick a soft chip into the box. Grace one-timed his shot past his Wesley defender and into the back of the net in the middle of the goal. 

The CNU offense had a handful of other opportunities, peppering the Wolverines keeper, Mark Mattern, with shots all night. Mattern made six saves in goal, facing nine shots on-frame in the contest. The Captains defense had a strong performance in their CAC debut, holding Wesley to just five shots with just one on-goal. Senior Sean Killion needed just one save to pick up his fourth shutout of the season. 

The Captains took 21 shots in the game, outshooting the Wolverines 21-6, with twelve different players factoring into the offense. 

CNU will be back in action this Wednesday, October 2 as they face their final non-conference test at 7:00 pm, playing host to former conference rivals from Greensboro College. Live stats will be available at CNUsports.com
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