NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Starring in nearly every facet of the game, the fourth-ranked Christopher Newport men's lacrosse team extended its winning streak to 12 straight contests while knocking off No. 16 Williams, 15-2, during a nationally-ranked battle on a beautiful Wednesday evening at Jennings Family Stadium.

Against the Ephs, Zac Hanway matched his career-high with 18 saves while anchoring a defense that suffocated the opposition for 60 minutes. His 18 stops equaled the eighth-highest total by a Captain, while he also chipped in with four ground balls and a pair of takeaways during a well-rounded showcase.

Equally impressive on the defensive side, Phoenix Hines contributed four caused turnovers, and Max Wayne added a pair to go along with four ground balls. Additionally, Warner Cabaniss helped control possession while winning 10 of his 16 faceoff attempts.

Capitalizing on the other end of the field, Andrew Cook landed six goals, which equaled the third-highest total in program history. It also marked the most ever scored by a Captain against a nationally-ranked foe.

Also adding some history on Wednesday, Brady Altobello collected a goal and two assists. That marked his 35th consecutive game with at least one point, matching the school record set by Will Stockhausen from April 14, 2018 through March 13, 2021. Additionally, Coby Auslander chipped in with a pair of goals and became just the 15th Captain to reach 100 career points.

With the victory, Christopher Newport improves to 12-0 on the season. The setback drops Williams to 4-3.

Right from the start, the Captains set the tone on both sides of the ball. In the first four minutes of action, Christopher Newport hung three goals on the board. Auslander kicked things off with a rocket on the run, while Altobello snagged a ground ball off an errant shot before flipping to Cook, who dunked on the doorstep. Moments later, Drew Miller slipped a pass to Dylan Rice, who blasted a strike from the left side of the zone.

Meanwhile, on the defensive end, Hines stole the show in the early going. Facing an opponent that entered the game ranked second in the NCAA in clearing percentage, the Captains snuffed out a pair of attempts in the opening moments of the contest. On the first one, Hines tied up an Eph on a clear, which resulted in a loose ball that Hanway snagged along the right sideline. Minutes later, Hines came back and de-sticked a midfielder with a vicious check that punctuated a second failed clear attempt by the visitors.

As the defense blanketed the field, the offense continued to roll. Alex Brendes unloaded the squad's fourth goal, Stockhausen tucked a bouncer underneath the crossbar, and Cook spun his second tally during a man-up situation to steal a 6-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

In the second stanza, Cook continued his roll with a wraparound dagger along the left pipe. Although Williams was finally able to slip a pair of goals on the board during the period, Hanway starred in the crease. Clamping down during a sustained rally towards the end of the first half, he made three straight saves, including a fantastic stop on a low liner that helped the hosts carry a 7-2 lead into the break.

Following halftime, Christopher Newport flashed its muscles. After bottling up Williams' first offensive series, Wayne grabbed a loose ball and jump-started a clear. Although a midfielder attempted to slow down the All-American, Wayne needed just one arm to shrug off the check and send the Eph crashing to the turf, which earned wild cheers from everyone in attendance.

After the successful clear, Rice continued the offensive assault with his second missile of the game. Shortly thereafter, Cook added two straight daggers, including one of the more unique strikes of the year. On the play, Auslander slipped free on the right side of the field before lacing a pass to Miller, who had set up shop in the middle of the zone. Although the ball caromed off Miller's stick, it bounced right out to Cook, who snagged the hopper and quickly unloaded his fifth goal of the game.

Despite missing out on an assist on the previous play, Auslander immediately came back and fired his second dart off a feed from Altobello, which handed the squad an 11-2 lead.

As the offense continued to stretch its advantage, the defense remained vigilant. Hanway leaked out of the crease and registered a pair of interceptions, while Burke Widhelm forced a turnover during a man-down situation. Later, Wayne came back and blocked a shot during Williams' next rally, and Miles Collins deflected a ball in the final minute of the third quarter, which forced an errant pass and ended a separate threat.

With all the momentum, Christopher Newport cruised over the final 15 minutes. Brendes and Robby Adams kicked off the fourth quarter with two quick goals, while Hanway made a terrific save on a man-down bullet from the left side of the field. Later, he added two more stops, while Hines chipped in with his last takeaway. Then, in the final minute, Cook and Altobello landed a pair of blows to polish off the 15-2 triumph.

Overall, the Captains held a 51-29 advantage in shots and a 34-32 lead in ground balls. The squad also won 12 of the game's 20 faceoffs.

Christopher Newport will return to action next Wednesday when the team travels to Southern Virginia for a 5 p.m. test.

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