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ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. -- For the first time this season, the #1 Captains men's soccer team suffered a loss, doing so in a 3-2 setback on the road at N.C. Wesleyan (9-3-1, 2-0-0). CNU falls to 12-1-0, 2-1-0 this season in an aggressive battle between the league's top two teams. Junior midfielder Brian Lybert (Honolulu, Hawaii) had a pair of assists to lift himself atop the nation's leaderboard in helpers, but a goal with 3:20 left in the game lifted the Battling Bishops to the win.

The two teams fought tooth and nail from the opening whistle in what turned out to be an extremely physical game. Six cards were awarded and nearly 30 fouls called as the two teams went back-and-forth. It was the Captains lighting up the scoreboard first, though, in the 29th minute of play.

Sophomore defender Kyle Rose soared in off a set piece by Lybert and headed it in for his third goal of the season, to give CNU a 1-0 lead. The two teams would go into halftime with that as the only tally, but the second half would prove much more eventful.

The league's leading scorer Mark Wielitzka would score the equalizer in the 55th minute on an awkward play. A cross from Owen White found Wielitska's body, but his touch just trickled into the right side of the net for the tie.

NC Wesleyan would take the lead, then, in the 70th minute as Irvin Herrera sent a long ball to reserve John Mendy. Mendy would go one-on-one with CNU keeper Justin Wolfe, who lost his footing and Mendy put it away for the 2-1 lead.

Christopher Newport pressed offensively, though, and looked to turn the momentum back in their favor on a gorgeous goal in the 82nd minute. Denny Arinello sent a long pass to Lybert on the left side of the pitch, who streaked into the box beyond his defender. He then crossed it to Danny Franklin, who scored his third goal in two games.

With under ten minutes to go, it was CNU remaining the aggressor, but the defense was vulnerable on a long ball by White.  For the second time he set up Wielitzka with a one-timer as Wolfe was forced to play in a 2 v. 1 situation.

The game was the first loss for CNU this season, and the first time a team had posted more than one goal in a contest against the Captains. CNU outshot the Bishops 15-11, led by Lybert, who took four shots and had the two assists. Wolfe made four saves in the contest, playing the full 90 for CNU.

Wielitzka led the way for NC Wesleyan, with two goals on four shots, all on-frame. Ville Ture played over 85 minutes in goal making three saves before being lifted for an injuyr, and Alex Bernststen closed out the game, earning the win.

The Captains will have two more games this week, as they face off against Methodist in USA South action this Saturday, October 16, and then making up a game against Virginia Wesleyan on the road this Sunday, October 17.

CNU        1   1     2
NCWC    0   3     3

28:37   CNU        Rose, Kyle (3) from Lybert
54:54   NCWC    Wielitzka, Mark (9) from White
69:49   NCWC    Mendy, John ( ) from Herrera
80:48   CNU        Franklin, Danny (4) from Lybert
86:40   NCWC    Wielitzka, Mark (10) from White

Shots: CNU (15), NCWC (11)
Corner Kicks: CNU (5), NCWC (3)
Saves: CNU-Wolfe (4); NCWC-Ture (3), Bernsten (0)

Cautions and Ejections:
YC-CNU #12 (41:51); YC-NCWC #2 (53:39); YC-CNU #10 (73:52); YC-CNU #31 (80:48); YC-NCWC #7 (82:11); YC-CNU #3 (85:13)