NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Extending its program-record winning streak to 14 straight games, the second-ranked Christopher Newport men's lacrosse team knocked off No. 1 Salisbury, 17-7, during a Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference thriller on a sun-splashed Saturday evening at Jennings Family Stadium.

Saturday's victory marked Christopher Newport's first against a top-ranked opponent in program history. It also was the squad's sixth triumph over a top-20 foe this year and its fourth by double-digits.

Meanwhile, the 10-goal win was the largest margin of victory for any team against Salisbury in nearly three decades. The last time an opponent beat the Sea Gulls by more than 10 goals was a 21-9 victory by Ithaca during the NCAA Quarterfinals on May 10, 1992. The 17 total goals scored by the Captains also marked the most by an opponent against SU since that same game 30 years ago.

Unloading on the opposition with a well-balanced attack, five Captains registered multi-goal efforts, including a game-high four strikes by Andrew Cook. Dylan Rice and Alex Brendes also added hat-tricks, while Coby Auslander chipped in with four points, including a pair of assists.

On the other end of the field, Christopher Newport stood tall against the nation's third-ranked scoring offense. Coming into the game averaging over 18 goals per game, Salisbury was quieted throughout the 60-minute affair. All-Americans Max Wayne and Phoenix Hines posted two takeaways apiece, while Aidan Wheeler also added a pair of caused turnovers. Zac Hanway collected eight saves as well.

Equally effective throughout the game, freshman faceoff specialist Warner Cabaniss was a monster at midfield. The first-year phenom won 18 of his 26 battles and secured eight ground balls.

With the victory, Christopher Newport improves to 14-0 on the season, including 1-0 in league action. The setback drops Salisbury to 13-1 overall and 0-1 against conference foes.

Although the Sea Gulls struck first less than three minutes into regulation, the Captains had an immediate answer. Just over 30 seconds later, Auslander unleashed a missile on the move to even the score at one. Shortly thereafter, Rice dodged his way through a series of slashes before dipping inside for a dart on the doorstep to snatch a quick 2-1 lead.

Salisbury eventually knotted the game again, but Christopher Newport never lost its rhythm on the offensive end. Showing off fantastic hands, Cook snatched a bouncer after a ball was dislodged from Auslander's stick. Despite taking a shot to the face after corralling the high-hopper, he blasted from inside to retake the lead.

After that point, the Captains never looked back. Following a quick faceoff win by Cabaniss, Rice continued the assault. The fifth-year senior slammed on the brakes at the top of the zone to shake a defender before cutting back to his left on the way to his second goal. Later, Cook uncorked a laser after barreling through a double-team, while Hines dropped a pinpoint pass to Robby Adams from midfield on the way to the squad's sixth tally.

Staring at a 6-2 deficit entering the second quarter, Salisbury chipped away at Christopher Newport's lead. Although Burke Widhelm and Ryan Young teamed up on a fast-break that resulted in a goal by Brendes, the Sea Gulls out-scored the Captains, 3-1, in the second stanza to pull back within two entering halftime.

Looking to regain the momentum after the break, Christopher Newport fired back in the third period. Getting things started, Cook danced his way through two defenders before sneaking inside for his third goal along the left pipe. Seconds later, Drew Miller displayed fantastic vision behind the crease after catching Salisbury's keeper leaking out of the cage. With the goalie over-pursuing, the junior quickly flipped to Brendes, who ripped a rocket into the empty net.

Just two minutes later, the Captains added a third straight goal after Auslander shook a defender with an athletic dodge along the right pipe for a 10-5 lead.

Equally effective on the defensive end, Wheeler dropped a Sea Gull with a devastating blow along the crease to shut down Salisbury's initial response. Later, Hanway snatched a low liner to cut off another rally before Griffin Hanes dislodged a ball from an attackman's stick that forced a shot to sail out-of-bounds.

Although Salisbury eventually did find an opening in the middle of the period, the Captains shot right back. With mere seconds left on the clock in the third quarter, Rice took the ball on the left side of the zone. In a flash, he split two Sea Gulls and unleashed a scorcher before a third defender could close out on the interior, which gave the hosts an 11-6 lead entering the final stanza.

Looking for a little more breathing room, Brendes snapped off a sidewinder for his third goal. After Salisbury retaliated, Christopher Newport dug in for an epic push that iced the victory.

Kicking off the late surge, Miller unleashed a no-look pass to Jackson Deal, who finished on the inside. Later, Cook broke down a defender and whistled a goal from the right side before Will Stockhausen rifled from long range to grab a 15-7 edge with nine minutes remaining.

With a little more work to be done, Brady Altobello stepped down from 15 yards out for his first goal during a man-up situation. Then, Adams added a beautiful punctuation mark. After collecting a pass from Brendes, the junior went behind-the-back for a highlight-reel tally that capped off the scoring.

Although Christopher Newport took advantage of some fancy work on the offensive end, the Captains also made sure to make a statement on the defensive side. During the final period, Wayne stripped an attacker with an impressive stick lift before the squad flashed some physicality as well. On a lengthy battle following a faceoff, Hanes stalked the Salisbury specialist around the field. Eventually, he lowered the boom and blasted the Sea Gull before snatching the roller and jump-starting an offensive possession.

Meanwhile, David Gonzalez absolutely buried an attacker into the turf with a bone-crushing hit late in the period, while Andrew Clark added two saves, including a pointblank stop during a man-down situation, to help close out the win.

Overall, Christopher Newport held a 43-28 advantage in shots and a 44-23 lead in ground balls. Along with Cabaniss' eight rollers, Hanes, Hanway, Rice, and Campbell Pozin all added four apiece.

The Captains will return to action on April 23 when the squad takes on Mary Washington at 1 p.m.

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