LYNCHBURG, Va. -- Playing in their final road game of the regular season, the Christopher Newport men's soccer team suffered a 2-1 setback against the University of Lynchburg (9-2-4) on Saturday night, falling to 5-5-4 on the year. Fifth-year senior Mason Field connected on his first goal of the season to equalize in the second half, but the home team found a second goal in the 79th minute to sneak by the Captains. 

CNU found itself in an early hole when Lynchburg put a goal on the scoreboard in the 11th minute of action. The Captains defense failed to clear a pass across the middle in the box and the ball took a lopsided bounce over the hands of junior goalkeeper Hayden Dewey and into the back of the net. 

The Captains weathered the remainder of the first half with a save by Dewey in the 37th minute keeping the score at 1-0 heading into the break. In the second stanza, it was Christopher Newport that took on the role as the aggressor. 

Just under six minutes into the half, the Captains earned a corner kick that resulted in a shot by Asher Kuzemka. It sailed wide, but triggered the momentum moving forward for CNU. Four minutes later, rookie Carson Friedlein put a shot on target that was saved by Thomas Viscuso in goal. The very next time down the field, the Captains would get on the board. 

A long ball was played over the top for Matt Liss, who raced to beat the goalkeeper to the ball and was fouled in the box, resulting in a penalty kick. Mason Field stepped in, having converted three PK's in his career prior to Saturday night, and the veteran calmly deposited his fourth into the back of the net. After leading the team in goals last season, Field picked up his first strike of the 2024 campaign with the penalty, tying the game at one goal apiece. 

CNU continued to move the ball forward, getting attempts from Drew McWhinney and Josh Monzon over the next 15 minutes of game time, but the score remained tied at 1-1. Then, in the 79th minute, Manzi Shalita broke the tie for Lynchburg with a shot into the bottom left of the goal. 

Carson Friedlein took a shot that whistled wide in the 85th minute and Jason LaViola added a shot on target in the final minute, but with short time, the Captains were unable to find the game-tying goal again. 

Christopher Newport will look to bounce back at home on Wednesday night as the Captains host Salisbury University at 7:00 p.m. Live stats and a live video webcast will be available at CNUsports.com