NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Playing in front of the home crowd for the first time this season, the No. 1-ranked Christopher Newport women's soccer team left Captains' fans abuzz as they left the field on a hot Saturday afternoon following a thrilling late-game winner against Susquehanna University (2-2-0). For the third time in as many wins this season, the Captains scored the go-ahead goal in the final ten minutes of play as rookie Molly Seventko put away the River Hawks in the 89th minute of action to put CNU ahead, 2-1, improving the Captains to 3-0-1 this year. 

Unfazed by a one-goal deficit in the second half for the second straight game, the Captains offense collected the equalizing goal from Sarah Smith in the 70th minute and continued to threaten the River Hawks defense throughout the remainder until finally pushing across the winner with 1:55 showing on the clock. 

With the victory, the Captains extend their program record unbeaten streak to 27 games and enter into the top-20 best runs in NCAA Division III history. Having not suffered a loss through the start of the 2021 season, the Captains now are tied for the 17th longest unbeaten streak all-time.

In the matchup at Captains Field, Christopher Newport held a distinctive advantage offensively, outshooting the River Hawks by a final count of 28-10. It was Susquehanna, however, that took a 1-0 lead early in the second half on a shot from distance by Emily Wertz. Just 2:38 into the second half, Wertz launched a 32-yard strike off the bottom of the crossbar and into the Captains' goal, forcing the home team to play from behind. 

Off the ensuing kickoff, the CNU offense ratcheted up the attack and started peppering Paisley Tornatore, the Susquehanna keeper, with the first flourish of 15 total shots taken in the second half. Smith tried to replicate Wertz' scoring strike with a long shot of her own in the 56th minute, but the River Hawks keeper snared it out of the air. Seventko added a shot in the box blocked by a defender and Emma Ricci sent an attempt high minutes later. 

The momentum would shift in the 70th minute when the Captains worked the ball through the middle of the field near the top of the box. In a game where only seven whistles were blown against both teams combined, and only one free kick awarded in the second half, CNU took advantage of the rare set piece chance. The center official blew the play dead on a foul about 23 yards away from the goal a shade to the right of the middle of the field. Smith eyed the wall 10 yards in front of her, waited for the restart, and then smashed home a beautiful bender into the right side of the goal. 

Smith's second tally of the season tied the game for Christopher Newport and renewed the Captains offensive energy with just 20 minutes left on the clock. Moments later, Smith nearly went back-to-back with a shot crashing off the crossbar and the rebound was sent high by Corinne Kulik. Jessica Zimmernann used her left foot to pressure Tornatore in the 79th minute and Smith saw three looks in a three minute span each sail just wide or just high of the goal. 

The Captains pressure continued and would eventually break through with the winner in the 89th minute. After the midfield pushed the ball outside to Emily Talotta, the senior worked by the last defender and cut back for a cross into the box. Smith collected for a mere moment before turning and adding one touch to the back post where Seventko stood all alone with no one in front of her. The rookie made sure to pay off the pretty passing, beating the keeper to the right for the thrilling finish. 

While the offense continues to come up with dramatic finishing touches, the defense has stood solid through four games this year. Jaya Daniel saved six shots and allowed one goal in the complete game effort as the starting goalkeeper for the Captains. Defensively, Jill McDonald, Kate Eissenberg, Nyah Savage, and Sarah Rhiel locked down another strong game defensively. 

Christopher Newport will look to carry the momentum into the team's next game on Sunday when they welcome Methodist University for a 4:30 p.m. kickoff. Live stats and a live video webcast will be available at CNUsports.com.