CNU Comes From Behind For 2-1 Overtime Win
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- On the first day of the 2011 Captains Classic, the Christopher Newport Captains (2-2) escaped with a come-from-behind overtime victory over visiting Western Connecticut State University (2-1). CNU took the 2-1 decision in the 94th minute of action as senior Kendall Dishaw connected on a hard liner for her first goal of the season.
The Captains controlled the pace early and pressured the WestConn goalkeeper often. CNU took the first six shots of the game, including three on-net and one that hit the crossbar. After the opening barrage, though, both teams settled in and each managed six shots the remainder of the half. The biggest of which came right at the end of the 37th minute, as WCSU midfielder Ashley Hutkowski put the Colonials on the board first.
Hutkowski connected on a one-time shot off a pass from Lauren Francisco. Francisco's ball came in from the right side and Hutkowski shot it in to the left side of the net for her third goal of the season.
At the break, WCSU led 1-0 despite the Captains holding a 12-6 advantage in shots. The equalizer would come early in the second half, though, as CNU freshman Sarah Perrett scored her first collegiate goal. Sophomore Jackie Bond received a pass down the left side from senior Julie Jennings and lofted a perfect cross over the goal mouth to the back post, where Perrett headed in the score.
Defense dominated the rest of the period, as the two teams who had combined for 18 first-half shots were held to just five in the second 45 minutes.
WestConn goalkeeper Caitlin Avery made seven saves in regulation to lead the way for the Colonials. In extra time, though, Avery managed just one more save before the Captains would score for the win. Newcomer Kelsey Thomas had the ball on the right side and slipped a through pass to Dishaw, who was sprinting down the field into the box. After two touches, she laced a hard shot into the back corner of the net for the win. The goal was the 23rd in her career, moving her into a tie with Emily Chesbro for sixth all-time at CNU.
The Captains outshot the Colonials in the game, 18-8, and put ten shots on-goal, compared to just four from WestConn. Avery made eight saves to lead the way for the visiting team, while Hutkowski's goal on two shots were tops for the offense. CNU was led by Dani Gunderson and Emma O'Reilly with six and five shots, respectively.
Both teams will return to Captains Field on Sunday, September 11, for the conclusion of the 2011 CNU Captains Classic. Western Connecticut State will take on Virginia Wesleyan College at 1:00 pm and Christopher Newport will face Kean University tomorrow at 3:00 pm.
