NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (Aug. 29, 2025) – The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy men's soccer team battled back from an early deficit but came away with a 1-1 draw at Christopher Newport on Friday night at Captains Field. The Mariners, now 0-0-1 on the season, trailed by a goal for much of the first half before junior forward Robert Derwin (East Meadow, N.Y.) netted the equalizer early in the second half.
 
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• Box Score 

Christopher Newport struck first in the 16th minute when Barry Jones finished a right-side effort into the left side of the net to give the Captains a 1-0 advantage. Merchant Marine responded in the 49th minute as Derwin played up the right side on a breakaway and chipped a shot past Christopher Newport goalkeeper Hayden Dewey, tying the game 1-1. The goal came off assists from sophomore Blake Landreneau (Lafayette, La.) and sophomore Cal Lutz (Charlotte, N.C.).
 
Junior goalkeeper Ethan Howell (Alexandria, Va.) finished with 10 saves, keeping the Mariners in contention despite Christopher Newport outshooting USMMA 16-10. The Mariners recorded four shots on goal, with Derwin leading the team with two on frame.
 
The game saw its share of discipline issues, as Merchant Marine had three players booked, including sophomore Tyson Mallas (Los Angeles, Calif.) and senior Drew Boukidis (Charlotte, N.C.), the latter receiving a red card in the 88th minute. Christopher Newport also had two cautions, including Ben Sullivan.
 
Merchant Marine had multiple scoring chances late, including a header from senior Jackson Justice (Winchester, Va.) that was saved by Dewey and a shot by freshman Colin Robertson (Milford, Mich.) that hit the post. Despite the late surge, the Mariners were unable to find the go-ahead goal.
 
The Mariners will look to pick up their first win of the season on Sunday, August 31, when they travel to Virginia Wesleyan to close out their season-opening trip down to the Old Dominion State.