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NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- For the fifth time in the first nine games, the 4th-ranked Christopher Newport men's soccer team stretched their game to overtime, coming away with their second draw of the year on Wednesday night against Lynchburg College (4-1-2). The Captains (7-0-2) fell behind after a Hornets goal late in the first half, but found the equalizer in the second and hung on for 1-1 tie. 

Both teams traded offensive chances early in the game as the tone was set to what looked like could turn into a high-scoring offensive. Lynchburg's junior goalkeeper Cory Budka made four saves in the first 13 minutes as CNU looked to control the pace. Then, it was Lynchburg's turn and were it not for a pair of sensational saves by senior goalkeeper Nolan Mann, the Captains might have found themselves in a bigger hole. 

In the 18th minute on a corner kick, the Hornets got a head on the ball for a deflection toward the left side of the goal, but Mann dove to his right and with full extension from his right arm, knocked the ball away. He then quickly collected the ball to avert a second attempt on the back post.  {HIGHLIGHT}

Then, just over a minute later the Hornets got another great opportunity after a long ball from the back found Ben Grossfuss with a one-on-one attempt against Mann. He rose to the occasion again and turned away the Lynchburg shot to keep the game scoreless. {HIGHLIGHT}

The Hornets would get on the board first, though, with just over five minutes remaining in the half. Dan Jobrack battled for a 50-50 ball near midfield and dribbled toward the top of the box before dumping a pass to the left for Adam Reynolds. After one touch, Reynolds slipped an outside foot shot into the right side of the goal, just under the outstretched hands of Mann, getting Lynchburg on top, 1-0. 

It was the fourth time this season the Captains have trailed, and all three times before Wednesday night the CNU faithful were treated to a come-from-behind victory. And on Wednesday night it was almost like deja vu all over again when they came from behind to tie things up in the 58th minute. The play started on the right sideline when sophomore Andrew Gogolin sent a pass down the middle for junior Harry Nodwell. After  a few dribbles downfield, he found junior Patrick Burns streaking into the box, who slipped a shot under a pair of defenders and the goalkeeper for the equalizer. {HIGHLIGHT}

The goal was Burns' sixth of the season, leading the Capital Athletic Conference. 

With things knotted up again, both teams tried to take advantage of the tired legs on defense, but neither could capitalize. CNU held a 10-4 advantage in total shots after halftime, and picked up eight corner kicks in that same span. It ain't over 'til it's over and the Captains battled to the final minute, forcing Budka and the Lynchburg defense to face four shots in extra time with five corner kicks. Overall, CNU held a 14-3 advantage in set pieces from the corner flag. 

The Captains are now 3-0-2 in five overtime games this season. 

The nationally-ranked Captains will be back in action this Saturday as they open up conference play at home against the Penn State Harrisburg Lions (2-2-2). The game will kick off at 7:00 pm at Captains FIeld.