NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- In an evenly matched bout against Widener University (1-2-1) on Saturday night, the CNU men's soccer team remained unbeaten with a thrilling finish that saw junior Barry Jones convert the game-winning goal in the final five minutes of the match. The Captains defeated the Pride, 2-1, and improved to 2-0-2 on the season after a back-and-forth match that featured key plays on both ends of the field. 

All three goals in the contest were scored in the second half as Christopher Newport took a 1-0 lead on a penalty kick in the 51st minute before the visitors answered with a tally of their own in the 59th minute. The game would remain locked in a stalemate for the remainder until Jones created his own shot with just over four and a half minutes remaining in the contest. 

The first half played out like a chess match with both teams challenging the net and controlling possession for spurts of the first 45 minutes. Mason Field had the first attempt on frame in the first half, but Widener keeper Ryan Van Pelt made the first of several dynamic saves in the contest. Sean Fatiga took the first shot for the Pride and Christopher Newport netminder Hayden Dewey repaid the favor with a stop of his own in the 19th minute. 

After the intermission, the chances ticked up in intensity including a pair of near would-be scoring opportunities -- one for each team -- called offsides in the first three minutes. Then, in the 51st minute, a foul was whistled in the box after Yazan Yaghmmour attempted a bicycle in the box off a corner kick. The foul went against Widener and allowed Trevor Smith to step up to the spot and deliver the first goal of the match. 

The Widener attack was ignited by the call and took control for the next several minutes as they challenged for the equalizer. Trying to take advantage of a counter attack after a corner kick, Fatiga had an attempt blocked by Yaghmmour in the box after a long run by himself. Two minutes later, Eddie Grant got loose for an attempt in the box but Dewey stoned the attempt with his chest; off the rebound, Fatiga roped a header toward the left pocket but it whistled wide. 

The increased pressure would result in the game-tying goal in the 59th minute when Fatiga would not be denied after a long pass from John Axtman sailed the CNU defense in the box. The Widener forward took one touch and then sailed one into the netting from point blank range. 

With the match knotted at 1-1, the second half went much like the first from there on out, with both teams working for strong chances denied by both keepers and maintaining possession playing a key role. In the final ten minutes, Mason Field took control offensively for the Captains and had three excellent looks at the goal as he searched for the go-ahead strike. The first came on a long pass by Dewey that bounced beyond the defense and Field volleyed a screamer that rattled the crossbar, narrowly missing the top pocket. Just over a minute later, Field smashed another shot off a defender and had another attempt blocked as the CNU attack continued to apply pressure.

Finally, the pivotal score would come in the 86th minute when Barry Jones took control. The play started after John Axtman headed a shot off the crossbar for Widener, but the Captains were able to release on the counter attack after the miss. Joe Summerfield had the ball around midfield before a full field switch set Jones free down the right side with just one defender to beat. He slowed down his dribble, turned inside and found just enough space to burn a left-footed rip perfectly placed on the ground through the crowd and into the goal. 

The gamewinner was the first of Jones' career and his fourth career goal. The unassisted strike lifted Christopher Newport to its second win of the season as the Captains remain unbeaten through the first four games of the year. 

Christopher Newport will return to action at home next weekend as they welcome Rutgers-Camden on Saturday, September 14 at 2:00 pm before also facing Catholic on Sunday afternoon at 2:00 pm.