NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Christening the program's new home with a game to remember, the 20th-ranked Christopher Newport men's lacrosse team opened Jennings Family Stadium with an edge-of-your-seat thriller as Robby Adams broke a deadlock with 17 seconds remaining in regulation to lift the Captains past Hampden-Sydney, 10-9, during a non-conference slugfest on a frigid Saturday evening.

With possession in the final moments of regulation, Coby Auslander collected a game-saving ground ball during a scrum behind the crease before setting up Adams' strike. With a chance to be the hero, Adams quickly corralled a pass from Auslander and buried the clincher just under the crossbar to seal the victory.

Auslander finished the game with three points, including a pair of goals, while Alex Brendes recorded his third consecutive hat-trick after scoring three times against the Tigers. Along with the first-year phenoms, Brady Altobello hammered home two goals of his own, while Will Stockhausen added a pair of points.

Along with the offensive standouts, the defense was tremendous throughout the contest. Phoenix Hines forced six turnovers, which equaled the sixth-highest total in program history. The junior also cleaned the field with nine ground balls, while Aidan FitzGerald and Aaron Casteel added two takeaways apiece.

Between the pipes, Scott McAneney continued a strong start to his senior season. The reigning All-American notched 11 saves, including the 400th of his career. With that performance, he became just the third Captain to reach the 400-save plateau. Fittingly, the other two players to accomplish that feat were in the stadium as current assistant coach Matt Hayden and team broadcaster Andy McGregor were on hand to welcome a new legend into their exclusive club.

With the victory, Christopher Newport improves to 3-0 on the season, while the setback drops Hampden-Sydney to 2-1.

Entering the fourth quarter down by one, the hosts quickly evened the score. Less than a minute into the final stanza, Brendes bowled over the defense with a screamer from the far side of the field. Trading rallies, Hampden-Sydney responded before Campbell Pozin shot back with a rocket on the run to retie the game at eight.

Continuing the seesaw affair, the Tigers inched ahead with six minutes remaining before Stockhausen squeaked a well-placed laser just inside the left post for another equalizer in the 56th minute.

Needing some last-minute heroics, Hines forced his sixth and final turnover with 53 seconds remaining before Christopher Newport called for a timeout. Stepping up after the break, Stockhausen unloaded an on-target rip that was snuffed out by HSC's keeper. Refusing to lose control, Auslander eventually won the battle for the loose ball before Adams capitalized and set the crowd into an electric frenzy.

Overall, Christopher Newport held a 45-25 advantage in shots, while Hampden-Sydney led the way in ground balls, 38-33. The visitors also won 16 of the game's 23 faceoffs, but the Captains stepped up on the defensive side to eliminate those extra possessions.

Similar to the end of the game, the two teams traded blows early on as well. In the first quarter, Auslander opened the scoring before Brendes capitalized on a feed from Drew Miller during an unsettled situation after Hines recorded his first takeaway of the game in the seventh minute. Later, in the second period, Altobello connected from long range before Auslander absolutely demolished the defense after splitting a pair of Tigers with some fancy footwork along the right pipe for the squad's fourth tally.

Although Hampden-Sydney connected on a Hail Mary heave with one tick left in the second period to knot the game again, Christopher Newport shook off the highlight reel blow after halftime. Moments into the third stanza, Casteel won the opening faceoff before setting up a dagger by Brendes. Later, Stockhausen used a nice skip pass to set up another blast by Altobello, but the visitors retaliated and stole a 7-6 edge entering the final stanza.

Fortunately, the Captains had more left in the tank. Outscoring the Tigers, 4-2, in the fourth quarter, Christopher Newport stole the come-from-behind victory to keep its record unblemished in the early part of the season.

The Captains will return to action on February 29 for a 1 p.m. showdown at No. 12 Ursinus.



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