GALLOWAY, N.J. -- Headlining a record-setting showcase by the fourth-ranked Christopher Newport men's lacrosse team, Coby Auslander established a new school standard for career assists while carrying the Captains to a commanding 25-8 victory over Stockton in a Coastal Lacrosse Conference clash on Saturday afternoon at the Stockton Turf Field.

Playing his first collegiate game in his home state, Auslander pieced together a memorable performance in his return to New Jersey. The Pennington native posted five points, including three assists. His final helper marked the 107th of his decorated career. That topped the previous school record of 106, which was set by former All-American Matt Crist from 2015-18.

Saturday's outing also marked Auslander's 42nd straight appearance with at least one point dating back to April 20, 2021. That now stands as the longest scoring streak in school history, beating Dylan Rice's run of 41 consecutive games with a point from 2020-22.

Along with Auslander's work, Brett Jackson landed his 12th man-up goal of the year, which broke former legend Will Geise's single-season record of 11 set in 2017. Overall, Christopher Newport's 25 tallies marked the sixth-highest total in school history and the highest amount in a road game.

Rounding out Saturday's milestones, head coach Mikey Thompson picked up his 100th career victory with the win over the Ospreys. Since taking over the program in 2016, he has amassed a 100-33 record. His .752 winning percentage ranks 24th in the history of collegiate lacrosse among coaches with at least 100 career victories.

The win also bumped Christopher Newport to 13-1 on the season, including 2-1 in league action. The setback dropped Stockton to 10-4 with a 2-2 ledger against conference foes.

After the two teams traded the game's first four goals, including a pair of rips by Andrew Cook, the Captains settled in on the defensive side. Early on, Zac Hanway made a tremendous stop on a clean look during an unsettled break by the hosts. Shortly thereafter, the man-down crew made an impact after the visitors were hit with a penalty.

Pushing back during the shorthanded situation, Aidan FitzGerald closed out quickly along the left pipe to force an errant shot. Later, Burke Widhelm deflected a pass on the interior before Campbell Pozin snatched the loose ball and cleared the zone.

After returning to even strength, FitzGerald added an exclamation point while burying an attacker into the turf along the left post, which polished off a lengthy defensive stand that ended with a shot-clock violation.

Still knotted at two entering the final minute of the opening quarter, Christopher Newport went back to work on the offensive end. First, Auslander shrugged off a stick to the face and snapped off a dagger despite having his neck twisted in the wrong direction. Later, on the ensuing faceoff, Warner Cabaniss won a lengthy battle and handed possession back to the attack with mere moments left in the period.

Following a restart along the end line, Cook found Robby Adams cutting inside for a dunk on the doorstep, which landed in the back of the cage with less than a second remaining in the stanza.

After stretching their lead to 4-2, the Captains kept the momentum in the second quarter. Less than two minutes into the new frame, Jackson drew a penalty on the Ospreys while bolting up the right side of the field. Fittingly, he came back and took advantage of the extra-man situation after unloading an absolute rocket off a skip pass from Cook, which marked his record-setting 12th man-up missile of the season.

Continuing to carve up the defense, Cook added two more assists in the quarter. First, the All-American found Brendes, who ripped a seed from the top of the zone. Moments later, he came back and collected a loose ball following an initial save by Stockton. After rolling away from the pressure, Cook turned and sliced a perfect feed through the sticks of three defenders to Drew Miller, who stepped down from the left side.

Meanwhile, Will Mercado set up another sidearm strike by Jackson before adding a dagger of his own after bursting around the right pipe. Miller also came back with his second goal after dropping low and whipping a one-timer around the hip of a defender.

Holding a 10-3 lead midway through the period. Christopher Newport was hit with a pair of simultaneous, one-minute penalties. Unfazed by the situation, Hanway pocketed back-to-back saves during a five-second spurt. After the second stop, FitzGerald eventually grabbed possession and pieced together a highlight-reel run.

Splitting a double-team, the sixth-year standout worked his way across midfield before cutting around a third Osprey. After wiggling free, he had a clean run at the cage. Winning a footrace against two more defenders, he worked his way to the crease before dropping a strike over the head of the Stockton keeper for a remarkable man-down tally.

With that long-pole laser, FitzGerald became just the second player in school history to score a goal during a two-man-down situation. Incidentally, the only other Captain to accomplish that feat was just a few yards behind FitzGerald when he sank his tally on Saturday. Miller converted the only other double-shorthanded goal in Christopher Newport history after stinging one against Illinois Wesleyan on March 13, 2022.

Still down a pair of players, Cabaniss had to take the ensuing faceoff without either one of his wings. Facing a 3-on-1 battle, the sophomore sensation simply won the ball to himself and eventually helped run out the time on the penalties.

Marching towards halftime, Christopher Newport's defensive unit continued to star on the offensive end. Following a quick clear in the 25th minute, Pozin whistled his third goal of the season. Moments later, the Captains landed another transition tally as Ryan Young corralled a roller and cruised up the field on a fast break before dishing to Carson Hoffman, who smoked a shot from the right side of the zone.

Holding a 13-4 edge entering halftime, the visitors continued the onslaught in the third period. Auslander connected on a dive along the crease before Danny McMinn struck near the left pipe. Later, after a shot clanked off the post, Mercado was there to clean up the trash. Grabbing the ricochet, he scooted around the right side of the cage before capitalizing from close range.

Just seven seconds later, Cole Evans won the ensuing faceoff and took care of business by himself. Storming up the turf, he faked a feed to his left before whipping a shot on the run for a 17-5 advantage.

With a healthy cushion, Auslander went to work on the history books. During a 20-second surge, the senior All-American posted back-to-back assists, including the 106th of his career. First, after snatching a loose ball on a failed clear, he flipped a 30-yard teardrop over the defense to Brendes, who completed the breakaway. Moments later, he came back with the record-setter. Stepping down from the top of the zone, he feigned a shot that caused a defender to duck. With the defense on its heels, Auslander simply tossed the ball over to Miller, who completed the squad's 19th goal with a blast from the left side.

Leading 19-5 entering the final stanza, Christopher Newport eased into the win. Brady Mitchell and Thomas Mark scored on a pair of cuts in the opening moments of the fourth quarter. Later, after Stockton retaliated, Tom Best won a faceoff. After securing the draw following a fight for the ground ball, he worked his way through a crowd of Ospreys before capitalizing on a bouncer for his first career goal.

With little left to prove on the offensive side, Ryan Almassian converted a backhanded shovel shot in traffic before Mitchell came back with his second strike after another inside cut. Then, with six minutes remaining, Matt McCabe slung the ball over to Jamie Smith, who went low-to-high with a hammer for the squad's final goal.

Meanwhile, on the other end of the field, Trey Landolfi and Mason Bellinger took over in the crease during the final 15 minutes. Looking sharp in relief of Hanway, Landolfi made a terrific save on a turnaround rip along the left pipe. Later, Bellinger stoned a bounce shot after a quick faceoff win by Stockton before adding another save on the doorstep to help wrap up the 25-8 triumph.

Overall, Christopher Newport held a 52-39 advantage in shots and a 42-27 lead in ground balls. On an individual level, Cabaniss finished with nine rollers while winning 13 of his 21 faceoffs. Young also collected five ground balls, while Aidan Wheeler had two and excelled on clears throughout the game.

The Captains will return to action on Wednesday when the squad hosts Southern Virginia at 4 p.m.

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