CHESTERTOWN, Md. -- Flashing a high-powered offensive attack, the Christopher Newport men's lacrosse team scored five goals in each of the final three quarters to flip an early deficit into a dominant 15-6 victory over Washington (Md.) during a non-conference battle on Saturday afternoon at Roy Kirby, Jr. Stadium.

During the victory, freshman Alex Brendes registered a team-high four points, including three goals. With that performance, he became just the fifth freshman in program history to record a hat-trick in a season-opener, joining an exclusive list that includes current teammate Dylan Rice as well as Ryan Merrell, Mike Laycock, and Kevin Righi.

Along with Brendes, Thomas Mark kicked off his sophomore campaign with a hat-trick, while Rice and Drew Miller also chipped in with three points apiece. Rice was especially effective all over the field as the junior All-American also forced a team-high four turnovers while collecting three ground balls.

Frustrating the Shoremen throughout the game, the Captains eventually finished the contest with 22 total takeaways. Reigning All-American Max Wayne had three, while Aaron Casteel also collected three in addition to seven faceoff victories. Overall, eight different players had at least two caused turnovers during a well-balanced effort.

In the crease, Scott McAneney picked up right where he left off last season with 12 saves, including nine in the first half.

Overall, the nine-goal victory was the most lopsided season-opening triumph for the Captains since the program upended Randolph, 17-1, to kick off the 2011 campaign.

Although Washington (Md.) got off to a solid start and snatched a 3-0 lead in the first quarter, Christopher Newport unloaded in the second stanza. Helping flip the momentum, Casteel won two battles at the 'x,' while he and Phoenix Hines both forced early turnovers after the Shoremen stole a pair of faceoffs. Capitalizing on the sustained possession, Brady Altobello kicked off the scoring before Brendes, Rice, Mark, and Coby Auslander followed suit on the way to a 5-3 halftime lead.

Continuing the showcase in the third quarter, Brendes stretched the advantage to three before a pair of defensive midfielders teamed up for a strike in the 33rd minute after Hines found Miles Collins, who pushed the lead to 7-3.

Despite a brief two-goal spurt from the hosts, the Captains never lost their rhythm. Polishing off the third period, Mark, Rice, and Danny McMinn peppered the back of the net to grab a 10-5 advantage entering the final quarter.

Looking to put the game out of reach, Christopher Newport tossed three more goals on the board in the first seven minutes of the fourth quarter, including Will Stockhausen's first tally of the season. The junior now has at least one point in 26 consecutive appearances dating back to 2018, which stands as the longest streak in program history.

With little left to prove, a pair of freshmen capped off the festivities as Brendes and Miller scored in the final two minutes to lock up the 15-6 triumph.

Brendes had three ground balls to go along with his four-point effort, while David Gonzalez also added three rollers and two takeaways during his collegiate debut after being sidelined with an injury last season. Overall, Christopher Newport held a 41-36 edge in ground balls and a 52-32 lead in shots.

The Captains will return to action on Wednesday when the squad continues its early-season road swing with a 4 p.m. tilt at Roanoke.

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