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FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- The Captains fell behind with under 25 minutes remaining, but scored twice in the final 15 to pull out a late victory at Methodist (2-2-1) on Saturday, 2-1. Christopher Newport improves to 2-2-1 overall, after senior Jack Cooper scored the gamewinner in the 82nd minute. 

CNU was taking on the Monarchs for the first time since leaving the USA South Athletic Conference and the first time ever outside of conference play. Prior to Saturday, the two teams had played eachother 43 times, dating back to the first season of CNU men's soccer in 1974. 

It was the defenses on display in the first half, as neither team was able to break through before the intermission. Each squad put two shots on-goal, but Nolan Mann for CNU and Nick Martens for Methodist denied both attempts. Just nine shots were taken in the frame, with the home team holding a slight 5-4 advantage in the first 45 minutes.

In the 67th minute, senior Hank Tobener would give the Monarchs a 1-0 lead in the hotly contested battle. He scored on a corner kick that he took from the right side. 

The CNU offense would ratchet up the pressure for the final 25 minutes, but still did not break through with the equalizer until the 77th minute of action. Connor Brittan crossed the ball in from the right side, where defender Sean Christein powered in the score.

With new life, CNU would waste little time to put away the winner, as it came just over five minutes of game time later. Senior Caleb Lewis made a run up the left side before crossing a head-high ball to Cooper, whose shot cleared the outstretched hands of Martens for the game-winning goal. It was Cooper's first goal of the year, and second game-winning tally of his career. 

Nolan Mann made five saves in the win, playing all ninety minutes and allowing just one goal. He picked up his first win of the year in the contest. 

Both teams managed five shots in the second half, but CNU put one more shot on-goal, holding a 7-6 advantage in the game.  

CNU will continue their five-game swing away from home as they travel to N.C. Wesleyan for a weekday contest on Wednesday, September 18 at 4:00 pm