NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- The third-ranked Christopher Newport women's soccer team played to a 1-1 draw against the University of Lynchburg (4-2-1) on Wednesday night, closing out non-conference play with a 7-0-2 overall record.
The Captains improved to 14-0-2 in home games over the last two seasons including an unbeaten record in four games this season (2-0-2). In the contest, Christopher Newport gave up just the second goal scored against them this season, but rallied for an equalizer to force overtime.
With the game-tying goal in the 66th minute, Christopher Newport junior
Riley Cook tied Victoria Perry as the program's all-time leading scorer with 109 career points. Cook reached the record in just 50 career games in the middle of her third year. Her 2.18 points per game is the best in program history by over half a point per game (1.58 per game by Emily Renkin from 2004-06).
The goal came on a well-crafted play started by senior
Keiley McCarthy around midfield. Playing the ball on the sideline, McCarthy drove a long pass beyond the defense into the corner for sophomore
Emily Talotta. Talotta reached the ball first, worked into the box and then slipped a quick pass to the middle for Cook who hammered home the shot on her first touch.
The ninth goal of Cook's season marked the fourth straight game with at least one tally for the junior forward. This week's National Player of the Week now has 19 points on 9 goals and one assist. Talotta, the team's second leading scorer, picked up her third assist on the season and now has nine points on the year.
The goal would tie the game after Lynchburg scored first on a shot from the top of the box by Sarah Barnes. A header from Amanda Wigboldy found the foot of Alyssa Rudy in the right side of the box, where the senior spun and passed back to Barnes. Barnes then delivered a shot off the left post and in for the goal.
The score was just the second goal allowed by the stalward Captains defense this season.
Haley Eiser has led the charge and had an exceptional night in goal for the Captains on Wednesday night. She stopped several one-on-one opportunities in the game, including a sensational diving save to her left in the first half on a shot that looked destined for the right side of the goal. Eiser stabbed at the shot with her outstretched left hand and deflected the shot off it's line just wide of the goal.
After scoring the game-tying goal, the potent Christopher Newport attack took over, outshooting the Hornets 15-6 the remainder of the game. That included a 10-3 disparity in overtime in which the Captains nearly pulled out the winner in extra time on multiple occasions. The best chance came when Cook was loose beyond the defense and took a left-footed shot that got beyond the Lynchburg keeper's hands, but trickled just wide of the right post.
The Captains will now shift focus to the conference season as they open Capital Athletic Conference action this weekend against York College of Pennsylvania. Kickoff against the Spartans is set for 5:00 pm on Saturday, September 28 as part of a doubleheader with the men's teams.
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