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NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Neither team could get much going for the first 60 minutes of action in the finale of the 2014 Joe Pombriant/CNU Soccer Classic, but a four-minute burst by the Christopher Newport offense, namely sophomore Patrick Burns, paved the way for a second Captains victory in as many days. CNU (2-0-0) scored three goals in just under four minutes, including a pair from Burns, to run away from Whitman College in the second half on Saturday night. 

In the first two games of the season, CNU has struggled to find opportunities in the first half, but have responded in a big way after the intermission. With seven goals scored in the two second halves played so far this season, the Captains are outscoring their opponents 7-1 after halftime. Three of those scoring strikes came on Saturday against the Missionaries in rapid succession.

The first goal of the match came in the 65th minute of action as senior forward Jalon Brown unleashed a hard shot that ricocheted off his defender right to the feet of Sean Christein. The junior defender saw clearance and unleashed a rocket into the right corner of the goal, which would prove to be the gamewinner. Then, after just 2:08 had ticked off the clock, the Captains saw Burns turn in the first of his two scoring strikes. Newcomer Harry Nodwell, a sophomore transfer, played a ball in the box to Burns, who converted for his first goal of the season. After another minute and a half, junior Mark Brewington set up the final tally for CNU with a brilliant through ball to the speedy forward, slotting a pass through the right side. Burns got to the ball first and shot past the diving keeper for his second goal. 

Burns had his eyes set on a hat trick with two more close attempts in the following minutes, but one glanced off the left post and another chance sailed just wide of the net. Three goals would prove plenty for the Captains offensively, though, as the defense stood tall to preserve the shutout. Whitman managed just five shots in the contest, including one on-frame, turned away by junior goalkeeper Sam Lesko. 

CNU held a 10-0 advantage in corner kicks and finished the game with a significant advantage in total shots, 21-5.

The Captains will return to action on Friday, September 5, as they play host to former conference rivals from N.C. Wesleyan College at 5:00 pm.