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FREDERICKSBURG, Va. -- With a 2-0 win on the road Saturday afternoon, fifth-seeded Christopher Newport men's soccer advances to take on top-seeded Salisbury University (12-1-5) in the CAC Semifinals this Wednesday, November 5. The Captains (14-3-4) earned quick redemption over the University of Mary Washington (8-8-3), after suffering a regular season loss to the Eagles just two weeks ago. CNU's leading scorers, Jalon Brown and Patrick Burns, were the difference, scoring one goal apiece. 

The Christopher Newport defense put together a stellar performance in Saturday's first-round action, holding the home team to just four shots in the game, with none testing starting goalkeeper Sam Lesko. All four CNU defenders played a full 90 minutes in the lock-down effort, as junior Sean Christein played in the back with seniors Alec Faulkner, Tommy O'Neal and Stephen Landry. 

On the other end of the field, the Captains challenged Mary Washington keeper Tyler Back early in the game, forcing him to make saves on back-to-back attempts in the first ten minutes. Brown cracked the first attempt in the ninth minute, followed by an attempt from senior Alex Makumbi under a minute later. Junior Ryan Balfour had a good look blocked in the 18th minute as the Eagles defense tried to hold. 

In the 28th minute, though, the CNU scoring leader came through yet again, scoring an unassisted goal after a first attempt was saved by Back. The rebound went right to Brown's feet where he wasted no time screaming a hard shot into the back of the net. His 17th goal of the season, paired with six assists, gives the senior forward 40 points on the year.

He is just the fourth player in program history to reach the 40-point plateau, and the first since Michael Caro's 41-point season in 2007. He continues his assault on the CNU record books, scoring his 49th career goal, just two shy of the CNU record. The goal also stood up as the game-winning strike, giving the Yorktown, Va. native his 16th career winner, just four shy of the program record in that category. 

The Captains carried a 5-1 advantage in total shots in the first half, including three shots on-frame. CNU also managed three corner kicks in the opening stanza while the Eagles were held empty. 

In the second half, sophomore Patrick Burns would add an insurance goal in the 62nd minute on a long breakaway attempt, one-on-one versus Back. After a Mary Washington shot caromed off the post, Burns was loose for a long run by himself. His shot was over Back's head for his 11th goal of the season. 

Defensively, CNU continued its excellent performance in the second half, as rookie Zach Douglass came in to help solidify the defense down the stretch. At the final whistle, the Captains outshot Mary Washington, 9-4, with a 5-0 edge in shots on-goal. 

With the win, the nationally-ranked Captains travel to Salisbury University for another key matchup with the Sea Gulls. Earlier this season, the two teams played to a 1-1 draw in Maryland. Game time is yet to be determined; stay tuned to CNUsports.com for updates.