GLASSBORO, N.J. – Senior forward Will Collins scored twice in the first 22 minutes and Christopher Newport University went on to a 3-0 victory over Eastern Connecticut State University in the opening round of the 2021 NCAA Division III Tournament at Rowan University.

In its first NCAA tournament appearance since 2013, Eastern (13-7) carried a season-high five-game winning streak into its seventh NCAA tournament – all under head coach Greg DeVito – but was limited to only seven shots in a shutout loss in its first-round NCAA loss for the third straight time after winning its NCAA openers, by shutout, in 2010 and 2011.

By winning for the eighth time in its last nine outings, Christopher Newport (11-4-2) advances to the regional final Sunday at 3 p.m. against host Rowan, which eliminated Mount Saint Vincent College, 2-0, in Saturday's first game.

Christopher Newport sophomore goalkeeper Gabe Barros, who has played behind fifth-year senior Cole Irvin for much of this year, made four saves in posting his second full shutout of the year.

Following Collins' early goal in the seventh minute and insurance goal midway through the first half, the Captains could not add to their lead and the Warriors could not slice into the deficit until sophomore Mason Field converted a penalty kick with roughly six minutes left to put the game away for CNU.

Eastern sophomore goalkeeper Dylan Pallanck (Willington) was credited with three saves.

Christopher Newport was making its 12^th NCAA tournament appearance this year, looking to advance to the Final Four for the first time. Rowan, a 30-time national NCAA qualifier, has reached the Final Four seven times and has won national titles in 1981 and 1990.