WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The 15th-ranked Christopher Newport men's lacrosse team scored the game's first five goals and carried a commanding lead into halftime as the Captains cruised past Catholic, 14-6, during a non-conference showdown on Saturday afternoon at Cardinal Stadium.

Hitting the Cardinals with a relentless assault, 12 different Captains registered at least one point. Dylan Rice led the offensive onslaught with seven points, including the 100th of his career. Meanwhile, Lucas Barry also added a hat-trick, while Will Stockhausen and Jordan Lee contributed a pair of goals. Showcasing a diverse arsenal, CNU saw long-pole midfielder Aidan FitzGerald contribute his second collegiate strike, while goalie Andrew Clark joined the fun with an assist.

On the defensive side, Christopher Newport forced 17 turnovers, including four by Phoenix Hines. Max Wayne also caused three miscues, while FitzGerald and Miles Collins added two apiece. Meanwhile, in goal, Clark, Scott McAneney, and Thomas Brackett combined for 17 saves to stifle the Cardinal attack.

With the win, CNU improves to 6-2 on the season. The setback drops Catholic to 4-5.

Less than two minutes into regulation, after Tyler Iriondo won the opening faceoff, the Captains kicked off the scoring. Making history, Rice slipped a feed over the top of the crease to a hard-charging Barry, who capitalized on the run. With the assist, Rice officially became the 10th Captain to reach 100 career points. Accomplishing the feat in just his 28th career game, he became the fastest player to reach that plateau, beating former teammate Matt Crist, who eclipsed it in 35 contests.

Opening the floodgates, the Captains unloaded on the CUA defense after that. Rice showed off his finishing skills with two goals, while Stockhausen and Lee kicked off their afternoons with early darts to snare a 5-0 lead late in the first quarter.

Although the hosts finally lit up the scoreboard late in the opening stanza, Christopher Newport fired back in the second. Showing off the squad's power play units, Barry drove home his team-leading sixth man-up goal of the season before Brady Altobello added a shorthanded strike after Wayne helped shut down an extra-man opportunity on the other side of the field. Meanwhile, Lee and Pat Matsko also came through with goals during the second period to grab a comfortable 9-3 edge entering halftime.

Following the break, the attack never lost its momentum. Rice, Barry, and Stockhausen capped off their afternoons with early goals in the third stanza, while Glenn Doering scored in his third straight contest to help push the lead to 13-4. Then, with less than two minutes left in the period, Clark and FitzGerald teamed up on the final punctuation mark.

After the Cardinals looked to capitalize on an odd-man rush, Clark dropped down to his knees and made a terrific save on a low liner. After corralling the shot, he jump-started a run going the other way. The sophomore goalie slipped a pinpoint feed to FitzGerald, who caught the ball near midfield. Bursting up the field, the second-year standout took advantage on the run with a long-pole laser into the bottom left corner of the cage.

Holding a 14-5 lead entering the final 15 minutes, Christopher Newport eased into the victory. Quieting the Cardinals during the fourth quarter, Clark and Brackett combined for eight saves in the final stanza, while FitzGerald and Tristan Peschka caused turnovers to keep Catholic from attempting a comeback bid.

Overall, CNU out-shot the Cardinals, 40-32, and held a 42-40 advantage in ground balls.

Christopher Newport will return to action on Tuesday at 7 p.m. when the squad kicks off a three-game home stand against Virginia Wesleyan at Captains Field.

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