Red Dragons Play #1 CNU to 1-1 Draw
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- The top-ranked Christopher Newport men's soccer team (4-0-1) held a decided 11-4 advantage in shots after halftime, including the game-tying goal in the 79th minute, but were unable to strike again and Oneonta State earned a 1-1 draw against the Captains. The Red Dragons improve to 3-2-1 after the tie.
Oneonta State scored a quick goal to take a 1-0 lead over the Captains, when Eric Fortier beat his defender and sent a hard shot into the middle of the goal from the top of the box. The goal came in just the 12th minute as CNU was forced to play from behind.
The CNU offense cranked up the rest of the way, putting eight shots on-goal in the contest. The pressure led to 12 corner kicks, including a string of four within a four minute span late in the second half. The last of which was taken by senior Brian Lybert (Honolulu, Hawaii), who put a nice ball into the box. The ball was deflected by a defender to the feet of Brendan Cook (Williamsburg, Va.) who one-touched it in for the equalizer.
The goal was the first of the defender's career, coming with just under 12 minutes to play in regulation. Lybert, the Captains all-time leader in assists, notched his fourth helper of the year.
CNU remained the aggressor after the game-tying goal, taking six shots in the overtime periods while holding the Red Dragons empty. Oneonta State goalkeeper Max Siegelman had to make six saves on the night. CNU still nearly won it in the last minute of action when a defender had to make the save of a Lybert shot on-frame, and freshman Alec Faulkner's last-ditch attempt struck the post with just 26 seconds remaining.
CNU outshot Oneonta 14-9 while also taking 12 corner kicks to just five for the Red Dragons. The Captains will return to action on Sunday, as they travel to Vassar College in Poughkeepsie for a 1:00 pm game.
