Live Stats // Video Stream
OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- The third-ranked Christopher Newport men's lacrosse team will face a pair of nationally-ranked tests during the Mustang Classic this week as the Captains will square off against No. 1 RIT on Friday evening before battling No. 7 Dickinson on Saturday at Stevenson's Mustang Stadium in Owings Mills, Maryland.
The start time for both contests is 5:45 p.m. Christopher Newport enters the weekend with a pristine 6-0 record, while RIT and Dickinson both sit at 5-0.
For those fans unable to attend the games, live stats and a video stream of both contests will be available at GoMustangSports.com. Direct links to both features can be found at the top of this release and on the schedule page.
Christopher Newport enters the Mustang Classic after posting a 20-5 victory over Montclair State in the Coastal Lacrosse Conference opener last Saturday. Against the Red Hawks,
Andrew Cook netted six goals, which equaled the sixth-highest total in school history and the most during a league bout. He also eclipsed 100 career points in that game. Accomplishing the feat in just his 26th outing, he became the fastest Captain to reach that milestone, beating former All-American
Dylan Rice, who joined the exclusive club in his 28th career appearance.
Coupled with his five-goal outburst against St. John Fisher last Wednesday, Cook also became just the fifth player in school history to register at least five goals in back-to-back games. For his efforts, he was celebrated as the Coastal Lacrosse Conference Offensive Player of the Week on Monday.
Along with Cook,
Warner Cabaniss also made some history last week. Against Montclair State, he won 12 of his 14 faceoffs and grabbed 10 ground balls. His second roller of the game marked his 200th career ground ball, making him just the fifth Captain to reach that mark.
In addition to the history-makers,
Drew Miller had three points and three takeaways against the Red Hawks. Meanwhile,
Mason Beckmeyer,
Brandon Young,
Aidan FitzGerald,
Aidan Wheeler, and
AJ Rosacker all had two caused turnovers apiece.
Overall this season, Christopher Newport ranks sixth in the nation in takeaways per game (15.17) and fourth in scoring offense (19.83 goals per game). The squad is also third in the NCAA with a .757 faceoff percentage and sixth in man-up offense with a .630 conversion rate.
On an individual level,
Brett Jackson is second in the country in man-up goals (7), Cabaniss is seventh in ground balls per game (12.17), and
Coby Auslander is 12th in assists per game (3.17).
On Friday, the Captains will have a chance to battle top-ranked RIT, who has won the last two NCAA Championships while boasting an incredible 45-1 record over the past four seasons. This year, the Tigers already have a pair of victories over nationally-ranked competitors after knocking off No. 13 York (Pa.), 11-10, and No. 19 Ursinus, 17-10, in their last two appearances.
So far this season, RIT ranks fifth in the country in clearing percentage (.927), 18th in man-up offense (.524), and 20th in ground balls per game (42.80). On an individual level, Luke Pilcher is seventh in the NCAA with six man-up goals, while Kyle Burbank sits 54th in goals-against-average (8.89). Meanwhile, Ethan Stiles and Nick Farrell have helped the Tigers win 54 percent of their faceoffs.
Dickinson has been equally impressive in 2023. Facing a challenging schedule, the Red Devils beat No. 20 Stevens, 13-6, on February 18 and No. 19 Cabrini, 16-11, on March 4. The squad is also coming off of a hard-fought 11-9 triumph over Illinois Wesleyan last Saturday during which Owen Porter recorded five points, including a hat-trick. Chris Brandau also made 11 saves, while John McKee won 10 of his 19 faceoffs.
Overall this season, Dickinson ranks fifth in the NCAA in man-down defense after killing off 93 percent of the opposition's attempts so far this year. Meanwhile, McKee sits 14th in the country in ground balls per game with a 10.40 average. Offensively, Porter leads the Red Devils with 16 points and 13 goals, while James Isaacson has 10 strikes and five assists. Between the pipes, Brandau has a 9.31 goals-against-average and .553 save percentage.
Following the Mustang Classic, Christopher Newport will remain on the road next Wednesday when the Captains travel to Lexington, Virginia for a 7 p.m. bout at No. 9 Washington & Lee.
---ISH---
