YORK, Pa. -- Matthew Crist set a pair of single-season scoring records, while Brandon Moloney and Matt Hayden established new standards on the defensive side, but the Christopher Newport men's lacrosse team dropped a 13-8 decision to 10th-ranked York (Pa.) during the Capital Athletic Conference semifinals on Saturday afternoon at Kinsley Field.
 
Against the Spartans, Crist posted four points, which bumped his total to 58 this year. That toppled the previous single-season mark of 54 set by John Thompson in 2015. With his two goals on Saturday, he also increased his output to 39 this season. That broke the old mark of 37 set by Britt Hoover in 2010 and matched by Thompson last year.
 
Also making history against York (Pa.), Moloney scooped up four ground balls and became the first player in program history to reach 100 in a single season. Ari Elgort held the previous mark of 97 since 2010. Hayden also made 14 saves against the Spartans, which increased his total to 190 and eclipsed the old standard of 176 set by Andy McGregor in 2013.
 
Meanwhile, Michael Mabry made his 65th career appearance, establishing a new program record. Fellow senior Joey Rolando also contributed a pair of goals and became just the sixth player in CNU history to reach 100 career points.
 
With the setback on Saturday, Christopher Newport falls to 13-5 on the season. The victory moves York (Pa.) to 15-3 and earns the squad a berth in the CAC title bout against top-ranked Salisbury on April 30.
 
Early in the contest, the two teams traded blows as York continued to grab leads before CNU shot right back. Dave Magdeburger landed the first two strikes for the Captains, including a gorgeous swim move to dodge a defender before blistering a rocket from the top of the zone. Later, Rolando joined the fun and added his 100th point with a goal just before the end of the first period to knot the score at three entering the second stanza.
 
Although the Spartans kicked off the second quarter with two straight goals, Christopher Newport settled in on the defensive end. Suffocating the YCP attack, Hayden made back-to-back saves and corralled two ground balls after forcing his way through a pair of scrums. Later, Christopher Albright dropped an attacker to his knees with a great ride on the right side of the field before Trevor Royce buried a Spartan to force a turnover. Keeping up the intensity, Moloney used a devastating hip check along the sidelines to cause another miscue before grabbing the ground ball just before the horn sounded to cap off the first half.
 
Staring at a 5-3 deficit, the defense continued its magnificent run early in the third quarter. On a quick break, Mabry stood tall in front of the crease and saw a Spartan bounce off him before Harrison Drier grabbed the roller. Moloney also caused another turnover with a huge back check, while Hayden went down to the ground to stone a low liner in the first seven minutes of the new half.
 
Although York was able to toss two more tallies on the board, the Captains never relented. After the hosts grabbed a four-goal advantage, CNU began to chip away at the deficit. Following another solid defensive stand, which saw Royce pluck a high ricochet out of the air in the middle of a cluttered zone, the offense went to work.
 
With just seconds left in the third quarter, Crist corralled a high pass and kept control through several bruising hits on the interior before wiggling free. After earning some space, he fed inside to Ryan Mills, who grabbed the pass, faked high, and ripped a low laser to pull the Captains back within three at 7-4.
 
In the fourth, the Spartans struck quickly again before Christopher Newport retaliated. Crist shoveled a long feed from Rolando, who took a quick hop before unleashing a missile from long range to inch back within three. Just over a minute later, Crist showed off his speed as he cut around the near post, cruised past a defender, and launched a goal from the doorstep while brushing off a brutal hit that sent him flipping head-over-heels.
 
Down by two at 8-6, CNU won the ensuing faceoff as Moloney earned his milestone 100th ground ball. In typical fashion, the senior standout used hustle and muscle as he battled through a defender and ran past another to grab possession. Unfortunately, the Spartans eventually forced a turnover and used two straight goals to nail down a 10-6 edge with seven minutes remaining.
 
With the game slipping away, Crist came back with his second goal after burning a bullet under the crossbar following a quick run around the crease. Minutes later, he assisted on a dagger by Mills, but York continued to respond and eventually inched away for the 13-8 triumph.
 
Overall, the Spartans held a 45-41 edge in shots and a 36-30 lead in ground balls. The hosts also won 15 of the game's 25 faceoffs, although Shane Palmateer did commendable work and won eight of his battles. Royce also finished with four ground balls and three caused turnovers for the Captains, while Drew Cornell scooped up three rollers and forced a turnover.
 
---CNU---