NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Trailing by two entering halftime, the second-ranked Christopher Newport men's lacrosse team erupted after the break and scored the first nine goals in the second half while pulling away for a 14-6 triumph over Hampden-Sydney on a splendid Saturday evening at Jennings Family Stadium.

Leading the second-half surge, Drew Miller finished with a game-high five points, including four goals. Flashing a well-balanced attack, Andrew Cook, Brett Jackson, and Will Mercado all added two strikes apiece, while Coby Auslander and Alex Brendes chipped in with three points.

Meanwhile, the defense was equally effective. Zac Hanway pocketed 13 saves, including four man-down stops. Burke Widhelm also notched a pair of takeaways and helped anchor a defensive unit that held Hampden-Sydney scoreless for 31 straight minutes as the hosts flipped a two-goal deficit into a commanding seven-goal lead with less than seven minutes remaining in regulation.

Controlling possession, Warner Cabaniss remained steady on faceoffs. The second-year star won 15 of his 19 battles and collected nine ground balls. He also landed a momentum-turning goal at the start of the second half, which kicked off Christopher Newport's comeback bid.

Overall, the victory bumped the Captains to 10-0 on the season, while the setback dropped Hampden-Sydney to 5-3.

After the Tigers landed the first blow of the game, the hosts fired back. With Hampden-Sydney giving Jackson a little too much space after a restart, the sophomore marched in from the right side before pulling up and blasting an absolute scorcher just under the crossbar, which knotted the score at one.

Less than 40 seconds later, Brendes flipped a feed down to Miller, who used a pump fake before dropping a low liner into the cage for a 2-1 edge.

Meanwhile, on the defensive side, the Captains also added some early-game highlights. Hanway stoned a bouncer midway through the opening period, while Ryan Young checked the ball away from an attacker behind the crease. Shortly thereafter, Jackson coupled incredible instincts with phenomenal footwork to add a remarkable takeaway.

On the play, the visitors were setting up their offense as an attacker held possession on the offensive end. As the Tiger drifted backwards towards the middle of the field, Jackson hunted him from the opposite side. With six defenders already blanketing the turf for the Captains, the second-year standout was restrained by the midfield line. Incredibly, Jackson managed to keep his feet on his half of the field while stretching his stick out just enough to club the ball away from Hampden-Sydney and regain possession.

Despite the defensive heroics, HSC was eventually able to steal a modest 4-2 lead at the end of the opening stanza.

In the second period, Cook got on the board with one of the finest goals of the season. Nearing the end of the shot clock, the senior star took possession along the left side of the crease. With a defender's stick wrapped around his neck, he tried to wiggle free while powering around the post. Still in traffic, he managed to unleash a behind-the-back bullet that cut right past three Tigers before finding the back of the net.

Although Hampden-Sydney quickly regained a two-goal edge, Hanway stepped up between the pipes. Killing off a pair of penalties, he came through with two man-down saves, while Campbell Pozin added a bullet clear after the final stop, which helped wrap up a two-minute, non-releasable foul.

Still down by a pair at the start of the third quarter, the momentum quickly shifted. On the opening faceoff, Cabaniss won it cleanly, pushed forward, and dropped a hammer on the run just five seconds into the new period.

After that point, the Captains found their rhythm. Miller tied the score with a step-down from deep, while Cook skipped the go-ahead blast into the cage just four minutes into the second half. With more work to be done, Auslander and Jackson added rockets on the run, while Carson Hoffman bullied his way through a defender on the right side of the field before unleashing a sidewinder inside the pipe.

Capping off a seven-goal third quarter, Miller used a slick spin move to cut underneath a defender along the left post before diving along the crease for his third goal of the game.

Meanwhile, keeping Hampden-Sydney off the board, Hanway chipped in with three saves during the period, including another man-down pick. Later, Aidan Wheeler killed off a clear attempt with an interception to wrap up a perfect third period.

Entering the fourth quarter holding a 10-5 edge, Christopher Newport quickly stretched its advantage. Once again, Miller was at the forefront of the attack as he sniped his fourth goal from the left side of the field before dishing a feed to Brendes, who went high-to-low with a screamer in the 53rd minute.

With little left to prove on the offensive side, Mercado drove home the final two nails, including a missile on the move after bolting by a pair of defenders during a 30-yard sprint.

On the other end of the field, Hanway came through with his fourth man-down save with less than four minutes left in regulation. Widhelm also earned his spot on the highlight reel with a terrific takeaway that saw him strip an attacker while tiptoeing along the left sideline. Keeping his feet in bounds, he managed to flip a pass over two Tigers to Mason Beckmeyer, who completed a successful clear.

Overall, Christopher Newport held a 47-30 advantage in shots and a 32-23 lead in ground balls. Along with Cabaniss' nine rollers, Pozin and Brandon Young secured four apiece. The Captains also won 17 of the game's 24 faceoffs.

Christopher Newport will return to action on Wednesday when the team hosts Williams at 2 p.m.

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