NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Dylan Rice joined an exclusive club with his 200th career goal while headlining a record-setting assault by the fourth-ranked Christopher Newport men's lacrosse team as the Captains rolled past Illinois Wesleyan, 29-8, on a gorgeous Sunday afternoon at Jennings Family Stadium.

Torching the opposition with a relentless assault, Rice finished the contest with nine points, which equaled the third-highest single-game total in program history. His six goals also matched the third-most by a Captain. With his showcase, he became just the fourth active player at any level of the NCAA to reach 200 career strikes. The fifth-year phenom now has 202 goals during his All-American career.

Along with Rice, Coby Auslander continued his historic run. For the second straight game, the junior handed out six assists, which equaled the second-highest total by a Captain. Meanwhile, Drew Miller and Alex Brendes both collected four goals, while Andrew Cook came through with a hat-trick.

Overall, the 29 goals equaled the school record set against Southern Virginia on April 4, 2015. It also marked the highest total by any team in the nation this season.

In addition to the offensive heroes, the defense was dominant once again. Max Wayne forced five turnovers, including several thunderous checks that left Titans sprawled out on the turf. Meanwhile, Tyler Lamb had four takeaways, while David Gonzalez and Phoenix Hines had three apiece.

The Captains also collected 63 ground balls during the game, which marked the second-highest total in program history. Warner Cabaniss led the way with eight rollers while winning 13 of his 19 faceoffs.

With the victory, Christopher Newport improves to 7-0 on the season. Meanwhile, Illinois Wesleyan, who advanced to the NCAA Elite last year, falls to 3-2.

Setting the tone early, the Captains stormed out to a 6-0 lead in the first quarter. Rice headlined the early onslaught with four points, including back-to-back goals. Miller also added two early tallies, including a fantastic play that saw him collect a rebound off an initial shot before dunking over the keeper.

Although Illinois Wesleyan managed to score twice at the tail end of the opening period, Christopher Newport quickly found its rhythm again in the second stanza. Carving up the opposition, Auslander connected with Rice on a long-range rocket before slipping a feed to Cook, who unloaded a missile from the right side. Moments later, Brendes stormed around the left pipe, elevated, and took a shot from a defender while depositing his second goal of the game.

Meanwhile, on the defensive side, Wayne used a bruising body check on an Illinois Wesleyan clear attempt to send a midfielder spiraling to the turf. Later, Gonzalez also helped close down an early rally by the visitors, while Burke Widhelm intercepted a feed to quiet a separate run.

In the middle of the period, Christopher Newport hit double-digits after Cabaniss won a clean faceoff and pushed forward before dishing to Brendes, who rifled from the right side. Moments later, Miller went high-to-low on a wraparound along the post, while Robby Adams converted from the left edge to give the hosts a commanding 12-3 lead.

Marching towards halftime, Rice came through with his 200th goal in the waning moments of the second quarter. Cutting in from the left side, he snatched a feed from Cook and unleashed a scorcher before the defense could close out, which added a perfect punctuation mark to the historic first half.

Continuing the onslaught after the break, Christopher Newport slapped four straight goals on the board to kick off the third period. During the early rally, Rice used a stick-check to strip a defender during a clear attempt before Cook capitalized for the squad's 14th goal. Later, Brendes punched one in from deep, Luke Nardone dotted the top corner of the cage off a skip pass from Miller, and Rice snuck one inside the left pipe for a 17-4 lead.

Just as effective on the other side of the field, the defense continued to quiet the high-powered Titan offense. After Illinois Wesleyan won an early faceoff, Hines stalked an attacker all across the field before ripping the ball away with a trail check along the crease. Miles Collins also won a huge one-on-one battle along the right pipe after tying a Titan in knots to force a loose ball, which Widhelm eventually recovered.

Still rolling on the offensive side, Christopher Newport added four more goals towards the end of the third period. Rice whipped one from the right side, while Brady Altobello utilized a slick ball fake to confuse the defense before finding Cook on the interior. Later, Adams also scored on the inside, while Rice connected with Miller on a fast break to snatch a 21-5 advantage.

Entering the final 15 minutes, the Captains added a few more highlights in the fourth quarter. Altobello snapped off a man-up dart, while Brett Kropinski pushed the pace on a clear attempt before finding Griffin Hanes, who landed a strike on the run. Meanwhile, Danny McMinn whistled a shot around a defender along the left side of the zone, and Bryan Reilly dodged a pair of defenders on the way to his first goal of the year.

Cruising towards the end of the game, Thomas Mark destroyed the ankles of a long-pole after cutting around the defender before sniping from the 25. Later, Jordan Lee capitalized on a submarine shot, Andrew Swartz pounded along the left pipe, and Brett Jackson added the final nail with a laser to lock up the 29-8 win.

Overall, Christopher Newport held a 70-21 advantage in shots and a 63-35 lead in ground balls.

The Captains will return to action on March 18 for a showdown with No. 11 Gettysburg on the first day of the Mustang Classic in Owings Mills, Maryland.

---ISH---