NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- In his first collegiate action as a netminder, Christopher Newport fifth-year senior Ethan Larson (Hampton, Va.) picked up a pair of wins and one shutout to help the 11th-ranked Captains open the season 2-0-0 this weekend. For his efforts, Larson was named the Coast-To-Coast Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Monday afternoon.

Transitioning from the midfield to between the pipes, Larson started in goal in both wins for the Captains as they defeated Eastern University, 1-0, and Moravian University, 2-1. He played the full 90 minutes in both games and opened his career with three saves in the two games played with one shutout and a 0.50 goals against average. Though relatively unchallenged against Eastern, the Hampton, Va. native made a tough 50-50 play on a ball in the box late in the game that stymied an offensive opportunity by the Eagles.

In the Moravian game, however, Larson made the play of the game in the final moments to help secure the win. With his team staking him to a 2-1 advantage and time waning off the clock, Moravian threw everything forward in an attempt to find the equalizer. With less than 30 seconds remaining, the Greyhounds settled the ball in the box and played back for a shot from about 25 yards out in the middle of the field -- the hard rip got through and Larson leaped to his left, stretched out his arms and made the diving save to keep the Captains ahead. The ball trickled off his fingertips out of bounds and Moravian could not get another shot on frame during the ensuing corner kick as the final seconds ticked away. 



It is the first Conference Player of the Week recognition for Larson in his career. He is the third different goalkeeper to garner the recognition for the Captains in the last three seasons.