No. 3 CNU needs OT to slip by Virginia Wesleyan

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- A stellar effort by the Virginia Wesleyan College men's soccer team against nationally-ranked Christopher Newport University was stopped in overtime Friday on Captains' Field.

Andrew Bonorden (Yorktown, Va./Grafton) was in the right place at the most opportune time to knock the ball into the net after VWC goalie Jay Coble (Portsmouth, Va./Churchland) came up with a big time stop on a shot by CNU's Brian Lybert (Honolulu, Hawaii/Woodbridge, Va.).  Bonorden's knock back in the 99th minute lifted CNU to a thrilling 4-3 win before an overflow crowd on hand to watch the annual battle between the Hampton Roads rivals.

It was a goal that ended an impressive battle and brought a collective sigh of relief from the CNU camp.  The No. 3-ranked Captains battled from behind the entire game to overcome a Marlin team that led 3-1 after Roberto Rosales (Eastville, Va./Northampton) scored in the 53rd minute off an assist by Paul Messier (Manassas, Va./Osbourn Park).

Virginia Wesleyan, which dropped its second consecutive overtime contest on Captains Field, never trailed.  Josh Richardson (Hampton, Va./Kecoughtan) evoked a roar from the large VWC contingent of fans when he scored the first goal of the game, ripping it into the right corner off a cross from John McKenzie (Virginia Beach/Landstown) in the 14th minute.

Caleb Lewis (Mechanicsville, Va./Lee-Davis) put CNU on the board 18 minutes later, finishing a pass from Lybert for the score in the 33rd minute.  But, Virginia Wesleyan caused some concern for the Captains when the Marlins scored the next two goals to push out to a 3-1 lead.  Rookie Philip Smith (Fredericksburg, Va./Massaponax) hit a shot in the 45th minute and Rosales followed with his goal minutes later.

The three goals were the most scored by a non-conference team against CNU on its home field since Sept. 28, 2008, when York College pinned a 4-1 loss on the Captains.

But, the Captains came back gradually, starting with a Lybert goal in the 55th minute.  Steven Farmer (Poquoson, Va./Poquoson) came up with the crucial goal for CNU, finding a loose ball and booting in into the goal to tie the game in the 72nd minute.

CNU finished with a 26-13 advantage in shots and a 9-7 edge in corner kicks.  Coble recorded nine saves for the Marlins.  CNU goalie Justin Wolfe (Williamsburg, Va./Lafayette) recorded three saves.

CNU returns to action in less than 24 hours, as the Captains take on Marymount University in Virginia Beach in VWC's Chick-Fil-A Invitational.  That game starts at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 10.  VWC will also play Marymount in the event, facing the Saints at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 11.

--AMDG--