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VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- The Christopher Newport University women's soccer team opened their 2011 slate with a heartbreaking setback on Saturday afternoon, falling 3-2 to the College of St. Benedict (1-0) in the final minute of the game. The Captains had clawed back to a 2-2 tie with a goal in the 90th minute, but the Blazers answered just seven seconds later with the gamewinner.

The two teams battled to a scoreless draw in the first half of the neutral site contest. Both teams managed just one shot on goal in the first 45 minutes, as each team's starting goalkeeper made the save.

The second half would more than make up for the lack of scoring in the first. St. Benedict jumped out to the lead quickly, scoring on a touch that just made it beyond the goal line in the 51st minute. Jess Pellegrene gave the Blazers a 2-0 lead in the 74th minute, heading in a cross from the right side.

The Captains offense geared up to mount the comeback, as just over three minutes later junior forward Dani Gunderson put away a free kick from outside the box. Gunderson lined up for the shot at the top of the box and lofted a hard liner over the wall and the outstretched arms of St. Benedict keeper Sarah de St. Aubin.

Time ticked away on the Captains as they pressed for the equalizer late in the game. CNU put six shots up in the second half, the last of which came with just 56 seconds remaining. Sophomore Carly Utterback connected on a 15-yard strike from the middle of the box into the left side of the net and CNU thought they had enough to force overtime. St. Benedict, though, would answer immediately, just seven seconds later, scoring the gamewinner as the Blazers long shot bounced past the defense and goalkeeper.

Four of the five goals were unassisted on Saturday, as St. Benedict edged CNU in total shots, 12-10. Each team put five shots on frame.

CNU (0-1) will return to action on Sunday at 1 pm, taking on DeSales University in Virginia Beach.

CSB    0   3       0
CNU   0   2       2

50:19   SBC   Bouchard, Colleen unassisted
73:59   SBC   Pellegrene, Jess from Wee
77:06   CNU   Gunderson, Dani (1) unassisted
89:04   CNU   Utterback, Carly (1) unassisted
89:11   SBC   Olson, Paige

Shots: SBC (12), CNU (10)
Corner Kicks: SBC (2), CNU (2)
Saves: SBC-O'Brien (1), de St. Aubin (2); CNU-Gumbs (2)