NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Christopher Newport senior midfielder Barry Jones connected on an impressive season-opening goal in the first half but the visiting Mariners from the United States Merchant Marine Academy leveled the score in the second half and the two teams settled for 1-1 draw in the first game of the 2025 season. The Captains (0-0-1) outshot USMMA (0-0-1) by six, 16-10, including a 12-4 advantage in shots on-goal. 

The early stages of the game favored the Captains attack as the Mariners narrowly escaped an early deficit. CNU junior Drew McWhinney took two shots on-goal in the first five minutes but the Merchant Marine keeper managed to turn them both away. The first came on a long ball from the back and McWhinney had a tough angle, but got a shot off the goalie's chest; then, minutes later, another break came beyond the defense after an excellent pass by Ryan Buckon and McWhinney delivered his shot toward the left but a sprawling save from point-blank range denied the goal. 

CNU had another shot on-goal before the visitors took their first attempt, which was easily picked up by senior goalkeeper Hayden Dewey. The Captains kept pushing and would get two more shots on-goal in the next ten minutes. The first came from Barry Jones in the 14th minute and, like McWhinney before him, nearly found the back of the net but a Merchant Marine defender was able to clear the shot off the line.

In the 17th minute, Jones would get another chance. Junior defender Yazan Yaghmmour played a beautiful diagonal pass across the length of the field to find Jones near the top of the box on the right side. With one defender to beat, the senior midfielder used a shifty hesitation move to clear him out and create space into the box. After the stepover move, Jons was free to rip a low bouncer by the keeper and into the left pocket of the goal. His fifth career goal staked CNU to a 1-0 lead in the first half. 

The Captains closed out the first half with an 8-2 advantage in total shots including a 7-1 edge in attempts on frame. In the second half, the Mariners were able to play more evenly, as the two teams each attempted eight shots with eight combined shots on-frame. 

The match evened in the 50th minute when Robert Derwin scored off a pair of passes from Blake Landreneau and Cal Lutz. Playing passes up the right side set Derwin free for a breakaway and Dewey came out trying to stymie the chance but the Mariners forward managed to chip into the netting for the equalizer. 

Looking to retake the lead, the Captains had back-to-back shots in the next five minutes. Josh Monzon made a run up the middle and blistered a hard shot on frame and then, less than a minute later, senior Caleb Jones was on the receiving end of a long pass in the box and his header whistled just wide left of the goal. 

Dewey finished with three saves in the match and the defense held for the remainder of the match with a handful of players getting into the action. Starters Carson Friedlein and Monzon each needed spells for injury but Declan Karney and Yaghmmour played the full 90 minutes. Coming on in relief, Ben Sullivan and Alex Stell settled the back line along with a group of defensive midfielders. 

Offensively, McWhinney led the team with four shots, all on goal, while Jones, Yaghmmour, and transfer Riley Usher each added two shots apiece. 

Christopher Newport will return to action on Saturday as they play host to eighth-ranked Dickinson after the Red Devils also played to a 1-1 draw on Friday night against Virginia Wesleyan. Live stats and a live video webcast will be available at CNUsports.com with kickoff scheduled for 5:00 p.m.