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NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Christopher Newport University freshman Kimmie Kerstiens scored her first career goal as the Captains (2-1-2) earned a 1-1 draw against Virginia Wesleyan College (2-3-1) on Thursday evening. CNU outshot the Marlins, 16-5, but would have to settle for the tie after the two teams traded early scores in the second half. 

Opportunities were scarce in the first half for both teams, with the Captains offense controlling much of the action. CNU managed five corner kicks in the first half, but could not convert putting just one of their six shots on-goal. The Virginia Wesleyan offense sputtered, unable to get a single shot off in the opening stanza. 

It wouldn't take long into the second for the action to get revved up, however, as CNU converted on the games first goal just under seven minutes into the frame. A nifty combination of passes led to the Kerstiens goal, started by rookie Carly Melkus. The freshman threw the ball in to the head of sophomore Victoria Perry, who passed it right back to Melkus on the sideline. The defender lofted a perfect cross into the box, where Kerstiens went up against a defender and headed the ball to the near post. The ball would scoot past the outstretched hands of Marlins goalkeeper Megan Gerhart for the opening score. 

The Captains would hold the lead only a short period, however, as Virginia Wesleyan responded in the 55th minute of play. On another CNU corner kick, the Marlins cleared the ball toward midfield where Lauren Shular and the last CNU defender Kelsey Thomas raced. Thomas got there first, but Shular ran through her clear attempt and had a long run one-on-one with CNU keeper Haley Casanova. Once Shular reached the box, she laced a shot into the right side of the goal past Casanova for the equalizer. 

With the score still tied at the end of the second half, the overtime periods followed the same pattern. Neither team managed a big opportunity in the first overtime, but the second ramped up the excitement, at least for the CNU offense. With three shots in the second overtime period, the Captains put two on frame. With just 30 seconds remaining, the last, and one of CNU's best attempts of the night, was turned away as Gerhart held on for the draw. Junior Lindsay Mondloch unleashed a laser headed for the center of the goal, just under the crossbar, but Gerhart punched it away for the Marlins. 

Gerhart made six saves in net for Va. Wesleyan, and Casanova stopped a pair of shots for the Captains. CNU held a 16-5 advantage in shots, including a 5-1 edge in overtime. Kerstiens led the way for CNU with three shots, all on-frame. 

The Captains will be back in action this Saturday, September 13 at 5:00 pm against Roanoke College.