CNU Bounces Back With 2-0 Win Over Shenandoah
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- A pair of second-half goals overcame stellar goalkeeping work as the Captains (1-1-1) picked up the first win of the season on Friday night, dropping Shenandoah University (1-3) in a 2-0 final. Junior Michael Breske and rookie Hunter Hartnett recorded scores for CNU while the Hornets keeper James Dutcher stopped 17 shots in goal.
The game was the first non-conference match between the two programs since 1992, as Shenandoah exited the league for the Old Dominion Athletic Conference this summer.
The Captains peppered Dutcher all night as the offense dominated the former USA South foe. On the night, CNU outshot Shenandoah 36-1, including 19 on frame. While CNU keeper Sean Killion was relatively untested in his first career clean sheet, stopping just one shot, Dutcher made a career-high 17 stops, just four shy of the Shenandoah record.
Despite the big edge in shots, the game remained scoreless through halftime as the Captains put 11 shots on-frame. It wasn't until the 58th minute that CNU would finally light up the scoreboard. Sophomore midfielder Jalon Brown found junior midfielder Michael Breske, who unleashed a hard shot from 15 yards out into the right side of the goal to break the tie.
CNU tacked on an insurance goal in the 80th minute of action when rookie Hunter Hartnett notched his first career tally from inside the box. Junior forward Alex Makumbi slipped a pass down the right side, where Hartnett made a run and took the shot from about 10 yards out, finding the back of the net for the two-goal edge.
The Captains potent offense on Friday night was led by Breske, taking five shots including two on-goal. Four more Captains picked up four shots, while Brown and junior Caleb Lewis each placed three on-frame.
CNU will return to action on Saturday, as they play host Virginia Wesleyan College at 7:30 pm.
