HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, Va. -- Capitalizing on a well-balanced attack and a swarming defense, the 16th-ranked Christopher Newport men's lacrosse team ran past Hampden-Sydney, 12-9, during a non-conference showdown on Saturday afternoon at Hellmuth-Gibson Stadium.
 
During the contest, CNU caused 15 turnovers, including three apiece by Will Cogan, Miles Collins, and Drew Cornell. Collins and Cornell also added four ground balls apiece, while Scott McAneney made 14 saves and caused a pair of turnovers.
 
Meanwhile, on the offensive end, Brady Altobello led the way with five points, including four strikes. Lucas Barry, Jackson Deal, and Dylan Rice also added two goals apiece. Overall, 11 different Captains collected at least one point during the game.
 
With the victory, Christopher Newport improves to 2-1 on the season. The setback is the first of the year for Hampden-Sydney, who now sits at 3-1.
 
In the first quarter, CNU set the tone. On the defensive side, McAneney led the opening stand with four quick saves, including back-to-back stops during an early assault by the hosts. Campbell Pozin also forced a turnover to help end a threat before the CNU attack unloaded on the other side.
 
With less than four minutes remaining in the opening period, Griffin Hanes dished to Altobello, who kicked off the scoring with a dart. Just over a minute later, Deal tacked on his first goal to push the lead to 2-0.
 
Although the Tigers retaliated with a strike of their own to cap off the period, Christopher Newport regrouped entering the second stanza. Once again, the defense stepped up in the early going. Cogan stripped an attacker before McAneney added four more saves during a suffocating defensive stand that stole back the momentum.
 
Taking advantage on the other end, the Captains tormented the HSC defense. Lucas Barry kicked off the rally with a bullet before Altobello added two straight daggers with assistance from Will Stockhausen and Glenn Doering to grab a 5-1 advantage.
 
Once again, Hampden-Sydney retaliated with a goal at the tail end of the first half to inch back within three entering the break.
 
Following halftime, the Captains came out on fire. Although the Tigers managed to score the first goal of the second half, CNU responded with a rapid-fire attack. Deal kicked off the surge with a man-up missile before Altobello came through with his fourth goal of the contest. Keeping the pressure on, Rice slammed home two straight rockets to push the lead to six at 9-3.
 
Continuing the trend from the first two quarters, Hampden-Sydney rallied again at the end of the third period as the Tigers tacked on a pair of late goals to inch within four entering the final stanza.
 
Unfazed by the sudden momentum shift, Christopher Newport put an end to the action early in the fourth quarter. After Phoenix Hines won the opening faceoff, Barry capitalized off a feed from Pozin. Later, Stockhausen and Thomas Mark found the back of the net as well to lock down a 12-6 lead with less than eight minutes remaining in regulation.
 
Capping off the contest, the defense held strong during a late push to keep an insurmountable lead. Once again, Cogan forced a turnover to start the rally before the rest of the squad stood tall against an onslaught. The Tigers unloaded six straight shots in less than two minutes of action, but the back line helped force each attempt to sail wide.
 
Although Hampden-Sydney eventually found its rhythm with three goals in the final two minutes, the surge was too little, too late.
 
Overall, Christopher Newport held a 39-37 advantage in shots, while Hampden-Sydney led the way in ground balls, 38-32. The Tigers also won 20 of the game's 24 faceoffs, but the CNU defense stood up against the extra possessions and limited HSC's offensive opportunities.
 
CNU will return to action on Wednesday when the Captains host No. 13 Roanoke at 7 p.m.
 
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