Box Score in HTML Format

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. -- After trading goals in the middle portion of the first half, the 20th-ranked Christopher Newport men's soccer team suffered a quick-hitter in the second half and could not rally for its second equalizer. The Captains (10-2-5, 3-2-3) fell on the road at Mary Washington, 2-1, as the Eagles improved to 11-5-1 overall and 4-3-1 in CAC action. 

With just one game remaining for most teams in CAC action, the Captains slipped to sixth place in the congested conference standings. Whether the Captains' season continues will come down to the regular season finale as they will travel to face seventh-place Marymount in a game that will decide postseason positioning.

In Saturday's matchup at the Battleground Athletic Complex, the Captains took on the Eagles in front of a crowd of 3,000 as Mary Washington celebrated Homecoming. The massive home crowd was rewarded with the first goal of the game in the 24th minute, but the lead wouldn't last as CNU responded with an equalizer just 1:26 later. 

First, off a corner kick, the Eagles got on the board as Mitchell Williams' cross found the head of Jack Saslowsky.  Then, CNU answered when defender Sean Christein played a ball for sophomore midfielder Andrew Gogolin. The second-year player connected on his second goal of the year and the game was locked at 1-1. 

The score remained tied for the remainder of the first half, with CNU holding a slight 6-4 edge in total shots. The Captains put three shots on frame compared to just one for the Eagles.

The CNU defense did a solid job of limiting opportunities throughout the game, but a quick chance in the second half would hold up as the gamewinner. Just 4:19 into the second stanza, Mike Bennett found Ben Cisse for the goal. 

The Captains registered five of their six corner kicks in the second half, and took 10 shots, but could not net the second game-tying goal. Gogolin led the offense with four shots, all on-frame, while Ryan Balfour had four, and Christein added three total attempts. 

Rookie Zach Pedini suffered the loss in goal, saving two shots while allowing two goals in a complete game effort. Matt Spencer made four saves in goal for the Eagles, picking up the win. 

Christopher Newport will travel to Arlington, Va. on Wednesday, October 28 for a matchup with the Saints (7-8-1, 3-4-1). Live stats and a live video webcast will be available of the pivotal match, set to kick off at 7:00 pm.