NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- The nationally-ranked Christopher Newport men's soccer team picked up a 1-0 win at home on Saturday night in front of a sparkling Homecoming Weekend crowd as the Captains took down Salisbury University (7-5-3). A beautiful combination pass led to the game's lone goal as senior Barry Jones connected on the winner in the 24th minute of play for his third goal of the season. 

The first-half goal proved to be the difference in a physical matchup against the foes from the Coast-To-Coast Athletic Conference. The Captains took the in the all-time series, 21-20-7, in the 48th all-time meeting between the two teams while extending a home unbeaten streak against the Sea Gulls to nine (6-0-3). 

In the 24th minute, senior Asher Kuzemka slipped a long pass into the box for Joe Summerfield on the right side. Summerfield held off his defender and waited for the ball before adding a beautiful, tactful heel flick toward the middle. Sprinting into the box on a tear, Jones reached the ball and powered home a low shot into the left side of the goal. 

The two-pass connection gave Kuzemka his second assist of the season and Summerfield also added his second. Jones tied for the team lead in goals scored with his third and picked up his first gamewinner of the 2025 campaign. 

The Captains controlled most of the offensive action in the first half which included a nifty shot by Drew McWhinney that inched just outside of the pipe on the left side. An entry pass found McWhinney streaking into the six-yard box and he stabbed at the ball for a flick toward the goal, but the pop-up arced just wide of the net. Luke Peri added a shot on goal and Ryan Buckon challenged the Salisbury keeper with one of his first touches in the game. 

In the second half, Yazan Yaghmmour played a big role in creating chances for the Captains in the early stages of the period. He lost his defender on a run up the left sideline and smashed a shot on target, but the Salisbury keeper continued to hold the score to just 1-0. 

The midfield unit, including Kuzemka and juniors Colin Skwirut and Miles Maggioncalda, paired with a strong effort by the back line for another shutout. Senior goalkeeper Hayden Dewey made two saves, including one on a missile from short range in the second half, and picked up the win for CNU. Dewey notched his 25th career victory to tie Nolan Mann for seventh most all-time at CNU and passed Mann for sixth all-time in career shutouts with his 12th. 

On the back line, Yaghmmour and Ben Sullivan patrolled the outside with Declan Karney and Carson Friedlein handling the majority of the duty at center back.

Christopher Newport outshot Salisbury, 12-7, including a 4-2 advantage in shots on-goal. 

CNU will return to action on Wednesday, October 22 as the Captains travel to North Carolina Wesleyan for a 4:00 p.m. kickoff.