NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — The Catholic University men's soccer team defeated nationally-ranked Christopher Newport on Sunday afternoon to book its place in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament.

The Cardinals defended well for 90 minutes before scoring two goals in three minutes of the first overtime period to down the Captains on their home turf.

Darius Siahpoosh netted his team and conference-best 12th goal of the season five minutes into the extra stanza to seize control for the Cardinals. 

Gordie Bernlohr and Domenic Caltabiano did brilliant work to press high up the pitch and eventually turned over the Captain right back. Caltabiano found Bernlohr infield, who fed Siahpoosh on the edge of the area before the markman produced a brilliant finish as his shot went through the legs of a defender before nestling in the bottom corner.

Just two minutes later, Bernlohr and Caltabiano were involved again, this time feeding Connor Bailey for his second goal of the season.

It was brilliant strength from Caltabiano who picked the ball up in midfield, and after shrugging off two challenges, found Bernlohr in a central position. Bernlohr produced a stunning chipped pass before Bailey, who had just returned to the field as a substitute, held off a defender and finished calmly with his right foot.

The Cardinals have now played 200 minutes in the NCAA Tournament without conceding a goal. Austin Coron has been immense in net for the Cardinals, tallying five saves to keep his second clean sheet in as many days.

The back four of Andrew Lowman, Maximilian Penczar, Owen Maher and Liam Giblin again produced inspired performances, all featuring for the entire 110 minutes. Brian Murphy was key as a holding midfielder, logging 103 minutes himself.

With Caltabiano's ninth and 10th assists of the season, he sets a new program record for most assists by a player in a single season. Siahpoosh's tally means he moves into solo-fifth on the Landmark Conference's all-time goals list.

This marks the first time in Travis Beauchamp's 16 years at Catholic that his team advances to the last 16 of the NCAA Tournament.

Catholic will now face the winner of the Johns Hopkins/John Carroll second round matchup. More details on the opponent, location, date and time of the Sweet Sixteen match will be confirmed and announced in the coming days.