NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Flipping a modest three-goal lead into a commanding 12-goal advantage, the fourth-ranked Christopher Newport men's lacrosse team pieced together an electric second half and capitalized on historic efforts by Warner Cabaniss and Brett Jackson to storm past Grove City, 23-11, during the season opener on a frigid Saturday afternoon at Jennings Family Stadium.
 
Controlling possession throughout the game, Cabaniss set a new school record with 26 faceoff victories in just 30 total attempts against the Wolverines. The sophomore standout topped the previous program standard of 24 victories established by former All-American Tony Cruz against Virginia Wesleyan on March 11, 2015.
 
Dominating his battles, Cabaniss eventually scooped up 16 ground balls, which fell just one shy of matching his own school record set against Catholic on March 5, 2022.
 
Taking advantage of the extra possessions, Jackson scored a game-high seven goals, which equaled the second-highest single-game total in program history. Meanwhile, Andrew Cook handed out five assists, which tied the eighth-most by a Captain. Alex Brendes also deposited five strikes, while Drew Miller had two goals and three helpers.

Especially effective during extra-man situations, the Captains produced five man-up goals during the game, which equaled the fourth-most in school history.
 
On the defensive side, Christopher Newport forced 12 turnovers during the contest, including three apiece by Burke Widhelm and Ryan Young. Mason Beckmeyer and Brandon Young also added two each to help thwart Grove City's potent attack.
 
Saturday's showdown marked the first action of the season for both teams after each squad advanced to the NCAA Tournament last year. Christopher Newport's 23 total goals marked the most in a season opener in school history, topping the program's 22 darts against Roanoke in 2022.
 
From the outset, Cook and Jackson proved to be a formidable combination on the offensive end. The two connected on the game's first goal as Cook threaded a pass through a crowd before Jackson dunked on the doorstep. Minutes later, the two teamed up again as Jackson snatched a feed and rifled from long range.
 
Along with the work of the high-volume scorers, Christopher Newport also continued to exploit one-on-one match-ups in the early going. Brendes got on the board early after finding himself isolated on the left side of the field. Later, Luke Nardone and Coby Auslander capitalized in similar situations to help steal a slim 5-4 lead at the end of the first period.
 
In the second stanza, Auslander continued to flash a hot hand as he elevated along the crease and took advantage of a skip pass from Cook. Less than a minute later, the National Preseason Player of the Year showed off his own passing skills with a flip to Robby Adams, who unleashed a man-up missile.
 
Staring at a 7-4 deficit, Grove City responded. The Wolverines strung together three straight goals to pull back into the game. After a timeout, Cabaniss showed off his toughness on the ensuing faceoff. Winning the battle with ease, he faced immediate pressure from the visitors. Eventually, the second-year star pin-balled off six different defenders and kept possession during a circus-like run into the offensive end.
 
Taking advantage of the possession, Christopher Newport eventually strung together its own three-goal spurt. Cook and Jackson teamed up for their third tally before Adams put a Wolverine in the spin cycle during a highlight-reel sprint along the left pipe. Moments later, Nardone wrapped a rocket just inside the post for a 10-7 edge.
 
Although the Wolverines were able to respond, Beckmeyer put an end to Grove City's surge after burying an attacker into the turf with a violent altercation along the crease. Then, Brendes took care of the rest on the other end of the field with a pair of blows to regain a three-goal advantage entering the break.
 
In the second half, Christopher Newport put the game on ice while taking advantage of a series of Grove City penalties. In the first 10 minutes of the third quarter, Cook registered two man-up goals, while Brendes added a third. Later in the period, Miller also shook off a double-team along the left post before snapping off a laser from close range to help the Captains stretch their lead to 17-10 entering the fourth stanza.
 
Looking to add some extra cushion, Jackson continued his showcase. With the shot clock running down in the 47th minute, the sophomore sensation beat the buzzer as he used a speed dodge to burst past a pair of defenders for his fourth tally. Less than a minute later, he added another lefty laser to push the lead to 19-10.
 
Still rolling, Will Mercado dove over the crease to avoid another shot-clock violation on the way to his first tally before Cook and Jackson joined forces again with 10 minutes left in regulation.
 
While the offense was torching the back of the net, the Captains starred all over the turf. Cabaniss and Cole Evans continued to dominate on faceoffs, while the defense never let the Wolverines back into the game. In the middle of the period, the visitors even secured a man-up situation, but Brandon Young put a quick end to the rally with a fantastic interception along the crease.
 
Cruising towards the victory, Miller converted a step-down from deep for the squad's 22nd goal before the Captains put a fitting punctuation mark on the game.
 
With time winding down, Cook unleashed a burner from the left side of the field. Although the shot caught iron and deflected away from the cage, the ball still found its way to Jackson, who uncorked a rocket for his seventh tally - and the fifth one aided by Cook.
 
Overall, Christopher Newport out-shot Grove City, 63-32, and held a 49-25 edge in ground balls. Along with Cabaniss' historic work on faceoffs, Evans also won each of his six battles and collected three rollers for his efforts.
 
The Captains will return to action on February 25 when the team travels to Owings Mills, Maryland for a 7 p.m. test against No. 16 Stevenson.
 
---ISH---