Live Stats // Video Stream
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Two days after earning the program's first-ever spot in the USILA National Coaches Poll, the 20th-ranked Christopher Newport men's lacrosse team will face stiff competition on Wednesday at 5 p.m. when CNU hosts No. 1 Salisbury in a top-20 showdown during a Capital Athletic Conference bout at Captains Turf Field.
Coming into the contest, Christopher Newport has a 10-2 record, including a 4-0 mark in conference action. Meanwhile, Salisbury sits at 13-0 on the season and 5-0 in CAC play.
For those fans unable to make it to Wednesday's contest, live stats will be available at CNUsports.com. The Captains will also provide a video broadcast of the action with Andy McGregor and Jake Myers on the call. Direct links to both features can be found at the top of this release and on the CNU schedule page.
A LOOK AT THE CAPTAINS Christopher Newport has featured a dynamic offensive attack throughout the season, which has been even stronger during league action. Against conference foes, the Captains rank second in the league with a 15.50 goals-per-game average and a .358 shooting percentage. The squad has also converted 50 percent of its man-up opportunities against league opponents, which ranks as the second-finest mark in the CAC.
In conference action,
Matthew Crist ranks third in the league with 23 points and fourth with 15 goals. The reigning CAC Offensive Player of the Week is also tied for third with eight assists during league play. Meanwhile,
Joey Rolando has seven helpers against CAC opponents this season, while
Randy Foster is second on the team with 15 points during conference action.
On the defensive end, Christopher Newport has limited its league foes to just 8.75 goals-per-game while forcing 45 turnovers.
Brandon Moloney and
Harrison Drier both rank among the top-10 in the conference in caused turnovers during CAC action.
Matt Hayden also sports a .453 save percentage and an 8.64 goals-against-average in league tilts.
LAST TIME OUT On Saturday, Christopher Newport extended its winning streak to four straight games with a 20-10 triumph over Southern Virginia. Foster, Crist, and
Will Geise all notched four goals against the Knights, while
Ryan Mills and
Joey Rolando chipped in with hat-tricks.
Tony Cruz also secured seven ground balls, while Moloney collected five. Hayden came through with nine saves to earn the victory.
SCOUTING THE SEA GULLS Salisbury is averaging 23 goals-per-game during league action, which leads the conference. The Sea Gulls also boast a league-high .449 shooting percentage against league foes. Equally lethal on the defensive end, SU has limited its opposition to just 5.40 goals per game while boasting a .591 save percentage. Both of those rates rank first among conference teams as well.
Well tested this year, SU has five victories over nationally-ranked opponents, including No. 2 Lynchburg and No. 5 Gettysburg. The Sea Gulls have also won 16 consecutive regular-season contests against CAC foes dating back to an 8-7 overtime setback at CNU in 2014.
On an individual level, Thomas Cirillo leads the conference with 57 points this season. The squad also features the conference's top-three assist leaders with James Burton boasting a CAC-high 25 helpers, while Cirillo and Nathan Blondino are tied for second with 22. Carson Kalama also has seven man-up goals in 2016, which ranks first in the league as well.
Defensively, Andrew Ternahan and Kyle Tucker are tied for second in the league with 25 caused turnovers, while Joshua Dean has a 6.17 goals-against-average and a .510 save percentage. Duncan Campbell has also won 154 of his 236 faceoffs, including 70 percent of his battles during CAC play.
SERIES HISTORY CNU and Salisbury have met twice with both teams boasting one win apiece. Last year, SU registered a 16-3 triumph in Maryland.
UP NEXT Following Wednesday's contest, Christopher Newport will return to action on Saturday when the squad travels to Dover, Delaware for a 2 p.m. showdown with Wesley.
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