NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Following the action on day two of the 2019 Steve Shaw Classic, the Captains of Christopher Newport men's soccer assured Whitman College's (0-2-0) fearful trip to Newport News was done after a 3-1 win on a beautiful late summer night at Captains Field. The prize sought was won as the Captains improved to 2-0-0 behind a goal in the first half and two more in the second. 

Playing in front of nearly 500 exulting fans, Christopher Newport outshot their west coast opponent by a final tally of 17-8 with a 7-3 edge in shots on-goal. Three different players scored in the game for the Captains, and rookie Chris Garbarini picked up his first career goal and gamewinner in the middle of the second half. 

Eyes following the steady keel of the Captains offense were rewarded early in the match when Jordan Boone grimly knifed through the heart of the Whitman defense. Just under seven minutes into the opening stanza, the senior midfielder played off the deck a beautiful entry pass into the box where his fellow Captain Will Collins lie in wait. Collins made a leaping try for the ball in the middle of the goal box and connected for the first goal of the match on a header slammed by the goalkeeper. 

The score was Collins' second of the young season after connecting for a goal against Greensboro in Friday night's season-opening matchup. Boone added his first point of the season with the assist, getting in the scoring column for the first time after leading the team in points last season. Boone also nearly scored his first goal of the season in the 22nd minute when he found himself at a loose ball in the box and smashed a hard shot right at the Whitman keeper from point blank range, but it was saved. 

Despite a 5-1 advantage in shots during the first half, Christopher Newport carried just the one-goal advantage into the intermission. With the stands a-crowding at the start of the second half, the Captains offense picked up a critical goal in the 72nd minute to appease the swaying mass. Sophomore Harry Whittleton started the play by cutting through the center of the field before ripping a shot off a defender that ricocheted right to the feet of Garbarini. The freshman wasted no time delivering a hard line drive into the right side of the goal. 

The pivotal tally would hold up as the game-winning score as Whitman erased the potential shutout just minutes later with an answer. Playing off a corner kick by Erik Nielsen, the Captains defense cleared the ball out of the box but it landed with defender Adam Reid. Reid played the ball back into the box and the Captains were caught still before the ball scooted into the left side of the goal where it's voyage closed for the Blues score. 

With the game back to being just a one-goal differential, the action intensified as Christopher Newport searched for an insurance goal late in the game while the defense was anchored safe and sound with veterans Derek Cook, Daniel Hulett, Khari Jones, and Davis Pillow holding strong. After allowing the first goal of the season, the back line gave up just three more shots in the contest. 

The insurance score would come with just over three and a half minutes remaining. Pillow steered the victor ship with the object won on a beautiful chip pass from Joshua Niblo in the 87th minute of play. The junior tandem hooked up for the third and final score as Niblo's cross into the box met Pillow's header in a 50-50 ball against the keeper. The ball bounded high and had enough forward spin to bounce over the goal line for the game-clinching score. 

Justin Piercy started for the second straight night in goal for the Captains and picked up his first complete game victory. He made two stops and allowed one goal in the game. Nibo led the team in total attempts with four while Collins added three shots. 

Christopher Newport will return to action on Wednesday, September 4 as they play host to North Carolina Wesleyan College at 7:00 p.m.