NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Three Captains registered hat-tricks and 10 posted at least one point as the 20th-ranked Christopher Newport men's lacrosse team rolled past Randolph-Macon, 16-5, during a non-conference battle on a gorgeous Wednesday evening at Captains Turf Field.

Against the Yellow Jackets, Dylan Rice continued the torrid start to his career. The freshman, who was named to the USILA National Team of the Week on Tuesday, returned to the field with five points, including three goals, against RMC. Matthew Crist and Griffin Hanes also added hat-tricks for CNU, while Jackson Deal contributed three points, including two assists. Joining the fun, a pair of long-poles also found the back of the net as Conor James and Phoenix Hines lit up the scoreboard.

Meanwhile, on the defensive end, Jake O'Connell forced two turnovers and grabbed seven ground balls. Scott McAneney also made five saves in 45 minutes of action between the pipes to earn his third straight victory.

With the win, Christopher Newport improves to 3-0 and extends its home winning streak to 12 straight contests dating back to April 19, 2016. That is tied for the third-longest active streak in the nation. Meanwhile, on the other side, Randolph-Macon falls to 0-3.

In the early going, the Captains methodically moved the ball around the field. Eventually, the referees called for a shot clock on the team's first possession, but Drew Magnusson quickly made the Yellow Jackets pay after driving home a dagger from the near side of the field.

Picking up the tempo, James flashed his offensive skills over the next three minutes. After a tremendous save by McAneney, Deal and Christopher Albright jump-started the clear. After moving the ball across midfield, James took control and flipped a feed over the defense to Crist, who unloaded on the doorstep. Shortly thereafter, Albright dropped the hammer on a midfielder to force a turnover before Drew Cornell grabbed the roller. Connecting with his fellow long-pole, Cornell lobbed a pass to James, who broke free, pulled up, and laced a screamer into the back of the net for a 3-0 lead.

Continuing the assault early in the second quarter, Hines picked up a bouncing ball near midfield and scorched the turf. With an opportunity for his first career goal, the freshman cut towards the crease before burying a laser under the crossbar. Feasting at the 'X,' Tony Cruz kept the onslaught going. He won the ensuing battle cleanly before Deal connected with Crist for the squad's fifth goal. Five seconds later, after Cruz won the faceoff forward again, the senior dished to Rice, who found the back of the net for a 6-0 lead.

After a Randolph-Macon timeout, the Captains continued to flash their passing skills. In the 19th minute, O'Connell grabbed a loose ball and kicked off the clear. Within a flash, O'Connell hit Crist, who immediately found Rice on the near side of the field. Capitalizing, the first-year sensation laced a liner inside the pipe to snatch a 7-0 advantage.

Still looking for more, Deal slipped free with a perfect cut along the interior before converting a pass from Rice. Although Randolph-Macon retaliated with its first goal of the game, Cruz won the ensuing faceoff and took it by himself. The senior cruised towards the crease before landing the squad's ninth blow with less than two minutes remaining in the opening half.

Shooting for a 10-spot, Corey Hart stepped in for Cruz and won the next faceoff. Controlling possession, Hanes eventually added the final dagger of the second quarter to secure a 10-1 lead entering the break.

In the second half, the Yellow Jackets managed to find a few more openings in the CNU defense, but the Captains matched them shot-for-shot. In the 35th minute, Crist took a huge hit along the interior but still snapped off his third goal. Minutes later, Hanes curled around the back of the crease, spun past a defender, and sniped his second strike for a 12-3 edge.

Picking apart the Macon defense, Magnusson dropped in another tally with two minutes left in the third before Rice and Deal joined forces again on a man-up goal to push the lead to double-digits at 14-4.

With little left to prove, Christopher Newport eased into the victory over the final 15 minutes. On the defensive side, Tristan Peschka forced two turnovers early in the final stanza, while William Gingerich and Spencer Shipman caused miscues as well. Ian Peaslee also ate a pointblank shot with his facemask in the final minute to help close out the period. Meanwhile, offensively, Hanes and Lucas Barry added the final two nails to lock up the 16-5 triumph.

Overall, CNU out-shot Randolph-Macon, 40-20. The hosts also held a 47-18 lead in ground balls while winning 17 of the game's 25 faceoffs. Along with O'Connell and Peschka, Will Cogan and Max Wayne both forced two turnovers apiece as well.

Christopher Newport will return to action on Saturday when the squad hosts Hampden-Sydney at 6 p.m.

---CNU---