2021 Spring Sports Spectator Policy
SALISBURY: Live Stats // Video Stream
COLORADO COLLEGE: Live Stats // Video Stream

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Following a week-long break since the squad's last outing, the fifth-ranked Christopher Newport men's lacrosse team will face a busy weekend as the Captains head to second-ranked Salisbury on Saturday at 4 p.m. before hosting Colorado College on Sunday at noon.

Entering the weekend, Christopher Newport currently sits at 6-1 on the season, while Salisbury boasts an identical 6-1 record. Meanwhile, Colorado College has an 8-2 mark entering a Friday showdown at Southern Virginia.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, visiting fans are not allowed to attend Salisbury's lacrosse games this spring. Meanwhile, the Captains have a similar attendance policy with only two guests allowed for every player and coach on Christopher Newport's roster along with a select number of students and staff from the university. For additional details about the attendance rules in effect for Sunday's game, please read the athletic department's Outdoor Spectator Policy, which is available at the top of this release.

For those fans unable to attend the games, Salisbury will provide live stats and a video stream of Saturday's action at SUSeaGulls.com. Meanwhile, Christopher Newport will also have a broadcast of Sunday's game with Andy McGregor and Will Geise calling all of the action. Links to those features can be found at the top of this release and on the schedule page.

Although the Captains saw their six-game winning streak come to an end against No. 5 Lynchburg last Saturday, the team still ranks among the national leaders in several important categories. Christopher Newport is 16th in the nation in ground balls, 23rd in assists, and 30th in takeaways-per-game. Meanwhile, on an individual level, Zac Hanway ranks second in the conference and 30th in the NCAA with a 7.81 goals-against-average.

Making those achievements even more impressive, Christopher Newport has faced a grueling gauntlet in the early part of the season. The squad has faced a pair of top-five showdowns against Lynchburg while also battling Roanoke and Hampden-Sydney, who slot just outside of the top-25 in the latest USILA National Coaches Poll.

Despite those challenges, Brady Altobello currently ranks fifth in the conference with 22 goals, while Drew Miller is fourth with 11 assists. Meanwhile, on the defensive end, Phoenix Hines is first in the conference with 15 takeaways, Ryan Young is second with 14, and Max Wayne is sixth with 10. Young also ranks fourth among league competitors with 32 ground balls.

Salisbury enters the weekend on a six-game roll. The Sea Gulls dropped a 10-8 decision in the season opener before beating each of their next six opponents by at least seven goals. Overall, the team ranks seventh in the nation in scoring offense with an average of 20.7 strikes per game. SU also sits in the top-10 nationally in scoring margin, shooting percentage, man-up offense, and assists.

On an individual level, Cross Ferrara is averaging just under six goals per game this season, which ranks as the seventh-highest rate in the NCAA. Meanwhile, Brett Malamphy is 11th in the country with a .767 faceoff percentage, and T.J. Ellis is 16th with a 5.47 goals-against-average. Josh Melton also leads the conference and ranks in the top-10 nationally with 23 assists.

Currently receiving votes in the latest USILA National Coaches Poll, Colorado College has also been impressive in 2021. The Tigers feature a potent attack that has carried the team to seven double-digit victories this season and four 20-goal explosions. Against some familiar foes, the team has a 10-8 win over St. Mary's (Md.) and a 19-3 setback at Salisbury this year.

On a national-level, Colorado College leads the NCAA with 105 assists and 373 ground balls so far this season. Anders Erickson boasts a team-high 49 points, including 23 assists, while four different goalkeepers have combined for a 7.52 goals-against-average. Meanwhile, at the X, Winston Chodnicki ranks among the top-40 nationally with a .634 faceoff percentage.

Saturday's match-up will mark the 10th all-time meeting between Salisbury and Christopher Newport with the Sea Gulls holding an 8-1 edge in the series. Meanwhile, the Captains won the lone meeting with Colorado College in 2019.

Following this weekend's slate, Christopher Newport will return to action next Saturday with a 1 p.m. contest against Mary Washington at Jennings Family Stadium.

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