NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- With his first goal of the season coming at a pivotal moment, Christopher Newport senior Will Collins lifted the CNU men's soccer team to a 2-1 victory over Mary Washington (5-3-1) on a beautiful, mild Saturday night at Captains Field. Collins finished the day with a goal and an assist against the Eagles, factoring into both goals as CNU improved to 4-3-2 on the season. 

The always entertaining matchup between the Eagles and Captains lived up to it's billing on Saturday night as over 1,100 fans were treated to a back-and-forth battle that extended CNU's home unbeaten streak to 17 games (12-0-5). CNU improved to 24-20-5 against Mary Washington all-time in a series that dates back to the 1977 season. 

The match would feature no shortage of quality chances as Mary Washington ripped 11 shots and the Captains had 12. Two of the three goals came on restarts, including the Captains' winner that the start of the 67th minute of action. 

Prior to the second-half heroics, though, the Captains took a 1-0 lead in the 15th minute on a goal from Colin McMunn. Defender Davis Pillow powered a 50-50 ball up toward the top of the box where Collins created a chance for McMunn with a nifty head flick down toward the six-yard box. McMunn got one touch with his right foot before he swung hard for a shot toward the goal that deflected off a defender's challenge and popped straight up and over the Eagle's goalkeeper for the score. 

The goal set ablaze the frenetic pace already ignited for the first half as CNU then ripped five more shots in the next six minutes of action. McMunn had a pair of hard shots blocked in the box and Jason LaViola narrowly missed a quick second goal when he pounded one off the right post. McMunn added another shot high as his flurry of four attempts in the first 22 minutes helped lead CNU. 

In the second half, Mary Washington notched the equalizer and the Captains' scored the game-winning goal less than three minutes between eachother. A third goal was sandwiched between as the Eagles thought they had taken the lead but an offsides call nullified the scoring strike by Jeremy Hokenson in the 65th minute. 

Just prior, the Eagles tied the game on a corner kick goal from Joren Santana. Gabe Francesconi sent in the cross and Santana made contact through a pair of defensive players to score the goal. 

After the celebration by Mary Washington on the would-be go-ahead goal, the Captains triggered a big celebration of their own with 24 minutes left on the clock. A free kick from just inside the Mary Washington half was taken by Daniel Hulett and lifted to the perfect spot in the box where Collins elevated in a one-on-one battle for the ball. The senior forward connected with a dart over the outstretched hands of the 6-5 Mary Washington goalkeeper for the header goal. 

Both teams kept the pressure up going toward goal but chances on frame were limited. With 37 minutes left the Captains were awarded a free kick from a dangerous distance on the near sideline. Collins stepped up and slipped a pass toward the corner for Cory Hogge and Hogge delivered a superb ball across the goal mouth with three teammates crashing for the pass. The ball wound up just inches in front of each of the Captains' attackers as Mary Washington evaded the would-be second goal of the contest.

Cole Irvin made a pair of saves in goal for CNU in picking up his fourth career win. 

Christopher Newport is scheduled to take on York (Pa.) next on Wednesday, October 6.