Box Score in HTML Format
Box Score in PDF Format

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- The 12th-ranked Christopher Newport men's soccer team had a tough draw to open the 2014 Capital Athletic Conference regular season schedule, hosting five-time conference champion York College (Pa.) in a re-match of the semifinal match a year ago that ended in a shootout loss for the Captains. A quick goal off the foot of leading scorer Jalon Brown put CNU in front, but the Spartans answered before the end of the first half and the two teams played to a 1-1 draw. 

CNU's record ran to 7-1-2 overall with a 0-0-1 start to CAC action, and York (Pa.) secured their fourth tie of the season, improving their record to 3-2-4 overall. Playing in front of a standing-room only crowd of over 1,200 fans on a beautiful fall afternoon, both teams managed five shots on-goal after combining for 37 total attempts. 

The Captains offense looked in control of the match in the early going, as an opening burst was capped by Brown's scoring strike in the 14th minute of action. Jimmy Grace had a pair of early attempts and Preston Key was just wide on his first shot before the senior forward connected from just inside the box. Midfielder Garrett Van Nutt, fresh into the game after a substitution, slid a through ball down the left side for the sprinting All-American. Brown was all alone in the box and lofted a perfect chip over the keeper's head into the right side of the goal for the score. 

Brown's eighth goal of the season gave him a round 40 for his career, moving into fourth all-time at Christopher Newport in both goals scored and total points. He surpassed Brian Lybert ('12) with the two points, giving him 106 total.

CNU's pressure kept coming, but could not convert on any of its other attempts early in the first half. Van Nutt had a sterling opportunity of his own, blasting a shot over the keeper's outstretched hands, but just high off the crossbar. 

In the 32nd minute, the Spartans would draw even on a quirky play from Ryan Phelps. After Phelps got in behind the defense on a bounding ball toward CNU goalkeeper Nolan Mann, Phelps got a head on a shot that Mann stopped, but could not secure, giving the York forward another chance at it, heading it in for the score. 

As the game progressed, both teams had opportunites, but the CNU offense continued to control the pace of the game, outshooting the Spartans by a 23-14 advantage in the game. York had the only attempt in the first overtime, but Mann made the save, and CNU then held a 4-1 advantage in the second overtime period. Brown had what looked to be a chance at the gamewinner with just over five minutes remaining, going one-on-one with Jack Pebole, the York keeper, but this time Brown's chip would go high. 

Pebole and Mann each had four saves and one goal allowed in 110 minutes of work. Offensively, Jimmy Grace and Van Nutt had the most attempts for CNU, taking four shots with one on-goal. York was led by Phelps, with three shots on-goal. 

The Captains return to action this Wednesday, October 1, as they travel to Greensboro College for the final non-conference game of the season. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:00 pm.