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NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Matching a program record for overtime games in a single season, the 20th-ranked Christopher Newport men's soccer team was stretched to extra time for the eighth time this season, forced to settle for a 1-1 draw against Salisbury University (9-3-2, 4-0-2) in Capital Athletic Conference action. With the fifth tie of the season, CNU also matched the program record for draws as their overall record runs to 10-1-5, with a 3-1-3 mark in conference play. 

The Captains took an early lead and held onto the 1-0 advantage for the bulk of the contest. The Sea Gulls, facing a loss in a game with crucial playoff implications, evened the score with just over two minutes remaining in regulation. CNU put two shots on-goal in overtime, but senior goalkeeper Drew Staedeli held on for Salisbury, making a season-high nine saves in the game.

Junior Patrick Burns scored in the 10th minute of action for the Captains (10-1-5, 3-1-3), giving CNU an early edge. Junior midfielder Harry Nodwell hammered a hard shot off a defender that bounced right to the Burns' feet inside the box. After collecting the ball, the Captains' leading scorer blistered a line drive into the right corner of the goal to give the Captains an early advantage. 

The goal capped early pressure on Staedeli as Sammy Blosser and Ryan Balfour also challenged the Salisbury keeper in the first ten minutes of action. Burns' second shot was on-goal in the 18th minute, but was turned away. The Sea Gulls offense managed just three shots in the first half, as CNU outshot Salisbury, 9-3, before intermission. In the second half, things evened out as both teams took seven shots in the second half. 

The Captains nearly took a two-goal advantage in the 55th minute when Hunter Simons got loose on the left side and blasted a hard shot just wide of the upper ninety. In the 70th minute, Burns flicked a header toward the goalmouth, over Staedeli, but the shot didn't have enough pace as a Sea Gulls defender tracked back and cleared away the attempt. 

Salisbury turned up the pressure in the final ten minutes and it would pay off in the 88th minute. Matt Greene found Nathaniel Eiben for the equalizer with just 2:13 showing on the clock.

In the first overtime, neither team managed a shot, but CNU took three shots in the second extra period. Mark Brewington smashed a shot high in the first minute of action, and Andrew Gogolin and Burns challenged Staedeli in the latter portion of the period. 

CNU outshot Salisbury, 19-10, including an 11-4 advantage in total shots on-goal. CNU also held Salisbury without a corner kick the entire game, posting a 5-0 advantage in total attempts. Burns led the way with four shots on-target in five total attempts. 

The Captains will now hit the road for their final two regular season contests, starting with a trip to Mary Washington on Saturday, October 24 at 3:30 pm.