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NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Slotted second in the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, the 13th-ranked Christopher Newport men's lacrosse team will kick off its home slate on Wednesday at 5:15 p.m. when the Captains host Southern Virginia in a league showdown at Jennings Family Stadium.

While preparing for their first action at home in nearly 12 months, the Captains earned high marks from their league rivals after slotting second in the preseason poll. Following a 5-1 season in 2020, the squad earned 13 votes in the conference rankings while also securing a first-place vote. Salisbury, who currently sits atop the USILA National Coaches Poll, was picked as the favorites in the league after earning four first-place votes.

Following the nationally-ranked squads, St. Mary's (Md.) was slotted third in the conference poll, while Southern Virginia and Mary Washington rounded out the top-five.

Putting their esteemed reputation on the line, Christopher Newport will open up its home season with a league bout against Southern Virginia on Wednesday. Out of an abundance of caution due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, no spectators will be allowed to attend the contest. Only players, coaches, and essential gameday staff will be permitted at Jennings Family Stadium on Wednesday. However, the Captains will provide a live broadcast of the action with Andy McGregor and Jake Myers calling all of the action on CNUsports.com. Direct links to the broadcast and live stats can be found at the top of this release and on the schedule page.

Entering the home opener, Christopher Newport currently sits at 1-0, while Southern Virginia is 1-2.

The Captains are coming off of a 16-10 triumph over Hampden-Sydney last Friday. The 16 goals marked the most in a season opener since 2011. Overall, six different players registered at least two goals, including Preseason All-American Brady Altobello, who had three strikes and an assist. Meanwhile, Jackson Deal, Drew Miller, and Dylan Rice all had three points apiece. With his goal, Rice bumped his career total to 124. That is just two shy of matching former teammate Matt Crist's program record of 126.

In addition to Rice, reigning All-Americans Phoenix Hines and Max Wayne inched closer to history with their work on Friday as well. Hines registered his 100th career takeaway, moving him two away from tying Drew Cornell's school record. Wayne also sits eight away from Cornell's standard and is nearing another milestone as well. Entering Wednesday, Wayne has started 46 consecutive games for the Captains. That streak is one shy of matching the all-time program record. Incidentally, current assistant coach Matt Hayden holds the record of 47 straight starts from 2015 through 2017.

Along with Hines and Wayne, who continued starring on the defensive side of the ball in the opener against Hampden-Sydney, several other Captains put together big efforts against the Tigers. Campbell Pozin matched his career-high with three caused turnovers, including a pair of key takeaways in the fourth quarter. Ryan Young also caused a turnover and collected six ground balls. Overall, Christopher Newport held HSC to only 18 on-target shots while helping force 24 turnovers.

On the other side of the field, Southern Virginia has been busy in the early going with three games so far this season. The Knights defeated Pfeiffer, 22-19, in a high-scoring affair last week. That win was bookended by a 21-16 setback against Hampden-Sydney and an 18-8 loss at No. 12 Lynchburg.

Four Knights already have at least 10 points this season, including a team-high 18 by Tennison Schmidt. The senior opened the year with a six-goal outburst against HSC before adding nine points, including five more strikes, against Pfeiffer. Chandler Wescott and Ty Veres also have multiple goals in all three games this season, while Zach Danneman scored six times in the win over Pfeiffer.

In other areas, Jaydon Arnold has won 62 of his 108 faceoff attempts while collecting 24 ground balls. That performance includes a grueling 27-for-42 showcase against Pfeiffer. Meanwhile, Dalon Hampshire has started all three games between the pipes while compiling a .471 save percentage and an 18.84 goals-against-average.

Wednesday's game will mark the ninth all-time meeting between the two programs with the Captains holding an 8-0 edge in the series. Christopher Newport won the last battle, 15-10, back in 2019. During that game, Rice had four goals for the hosts, while Danneman posted five for the Knights.

Following Wednesday's tilt, Christopher Newport will embark on a four-game road swing beginning on Saturday at Roanoke. Game time is scheduled for 4 p.m.

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