NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Dylan Rice joined rarified air with his 200th career point, but the eighth-ranked Christopher Newport men's lacrosse team could not capitalize on the historic moment as No. 2 Salisbury secured a 17-5 triumph during a Coast-to-Coast Conference showdown on a warm Wednesday evening at Jennings Family Stadium.

Against the Sea Gulls, Rice registered his 200th point on an assist in the second quarter, placing his name alongside former standout Matt Crist as the only Captains to reach that plateau. Crist finished with a program-record 232 points during his tenure from 2015-18.

Along with Rice, Brady Altobello collected his 100th point on Wednesday, becoming the second Captain this season to reach that benchmark after Will Stockhausen joined the club in March. Incredibly, Altobello accomplished the feat in just his 36th career game. Of the 12 Captains to record 100 career points, only Rice and Crist did it in fewer appearances.

In addition to the history-makers, Stockhausen finished with three points, including a pair of goals. Zack Sands also won 11 faceoffs and grabbed six ground balls, while Zac Hanway contributed 15 saves.

With the setback, Christopher Newport falls to 7-4 on the season, including 2-2 in league action. Salisbury improves to 9-1 overall and 5-0 against conference competition.

In the opening quarter, the Captains kept things close. Stockhausen kicked off the scoring in the first minute after firing a rocket over the head of a Sea Gull for the game's first goal. Later, the senior tossed a skip pass to Alex Brendes, who buried a dart from the left side.

With that goal, Brendes found the back of the cage for the 17th straight game, equaling the second-longest scoring streak in program history.

Meanwhile, on the defensive side, Christopher Newport tried to bottle up the high-powered Sea Gull attack. Although the visitors slipped out to a 4-2 lead in the waning moments of the opening quarter, the Captains clamped down. Burke Widhelm tied up an attacker in the right corner to force a lengthy pass to sail out of bounds. Moments later, Salisbury attempted to clear the ball again, but Rice leveled a defender along the left sideline to thwart another rally in the final seconds of the first quarter.

In the second stanza,  Salisbury began to inch ahead, but Christopher Newport's attack continued to make things interesting. First, Easton Lanclos set a nice screen, which picked a pair of Sea Gulls. Benefitting from the play, Stockhausen slid to his left and unleashed a wicked bounce shot that deflected off the crossbar for his second goal.

Minutes later, after Salisbury was hit with a penalty, the Captains methodically moved the ball around the zone. Finally, on the left side, Rice found Altobello, who ripped a blast before a defender could close out on the shot.

Unfortunately, after cutting their deficit down to three at 7-4, the Captains could not pull any closer. Salisbury stretched its lead back to four just before halftime. Then, in the third period, the Sea Gulls lit up the scoreboard with four unanswered tallies to snatch a commanding 12-4 edge entering the final 15 minutes.

Still rolling, the visitors continued extending their lead in the fourth. Although Phoenix Hines blocked a shot with nine minutes left in regulation and Jack Cook flashed his speed to chase down an errant attempt along the left sideline, Salisbury stole a 16-4 lead.

Over the last few minutes, the two teams traded goals. First, Robby Adams circled around the right pipe and found Altobello, who rifled from the top of the zone for his 100th point. Sadly, SU immediately responded to polish off the 17-5 win.

Overall, Salisbury held a 47-41 advantage in shots and a 39-22 lead in ground balls. Jackson Deal scooped up three rollers for the hosts, while Adams, Widhelm, and Max Wayne had two apiece. Miles Collins also forced a pair of turnovers for the Captains.

Christopher Newport will return to action on April 20 when the team travels to Lexington for a 7 p.m. test at Washington & Lee.

---ISH---