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NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- After falling behind twice in the game, the powerful Christopher Newport attack came to life and scored four unanswered goals in the second half to run away with a 5-2 win over California Lutheran University (1-1-0) on Friday night, as part of the 2017 CNU Captains Invite. The Captains (3-0-1), energized by a big crowd on a beautiful night at Captains Field, saw five different players score as they remained unbeaten through the first four games of the season. 

The Captains defense held Cal Lutheran to just one shot in the first half, but it would find the back of the net when Trinity Martinez connected on a long shot from the right side of the field just over eight minutes into the game. It was the second straight game the Captains trailed in the first half, forced to play from behind early. 

After dominating possession for the majority of the first half, to the tune of a 13-1 shot advantage, the Captains would equalize in the 32nd minute of play. Junior Kayla Locklear got by her defender down the right side and sent a hard cross into the box where the CLU goalkeeper tried to snare it out of the air, but could not corral the pass. The ball bounced right to rookie Maddie Cochran, who drilled home the game-tying shot for her first goal of the season. 

At halftime, Cal Lutheran keeper Gabby Flores had made five saves to hold CNU to a 1-1 tie, and then just under five minutes into the second half, the offense struck again to put CNU behind for the second time. Martinez factored into the strike again, as she played facilitator on the second goal scored by Kali Youngdahl.

Trailing again, it would not take long for the Captains to respond, as senior Alex Miller set up junior Gabby Gillis for a beautiful goal from distance just 25 seconds later. Gillis notched her third goal of the season, tying the game in the 51st minute of play. The next goal for CNU came in the 59th minute and would hold up as the gamewinner. Rookie Maxine Borris made a play into the box near the goal line and blistered a hard cross off a defender into the goal. 

With the lead for the first time, the flood gates opened, as CNU scored on a penalty kick in the 69th minute and off a free kick in the 74th minute to extend a big lead late. After a hard foul in the box, rookie Riley Cook stepped in to put away the PK goal to make it 4-2, and then sophomore Logan Montel delivered the insurance goal from about 30 yards out. Taking the direct kick, Montel booted a hard shot into the upper 90 for her second goal of the year. 

Both teams ratcheted up the offensive pressure in the second half, as Cal Lutheran actually outshot the Captains, 9-8, after the intermission. Carly Maglio made three saves in goal for CNU,. while Flores finishes with eight total saves for the Regals. 

A schedule change has been announced for the 2017 CNU Captains Invite, which will continue on Sunday, October 10. Originally scheduled to be played second on Sunday, the Christopher Newport contest against Methodist University will now be played at 1:30 pm. Cal Lutheran will now play at 4:00 pm against Virginia Wesleyan University in the final game of the tournament. Live stats and video of both contests will be available at CNUsports.com/live.