NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Flashing a well-balanced attack, five Captains registered multi-goal efforts as the fourth-ranked Christopher Newport men's lacrosse team used a huge run in the middle of the contest to flip a slim lead into a 14-9 victory on a rainy Saturday evening at Jennings Family Stadium.

Leading the offensive attack, Alex Brendes finished with six points, while Andrew Cook added a hat-trick of his own. Coby Auslander also had three assists and a pair of strikes during another well-rounded performance by the fifth-year phenom.

Along with the leading scorers, Drew Miller and Brett Jackson tallied three points apiece. With his assist in the fourth quarter, Miller also joined an exclusive club of Captains. The helper marked his 100th career assist. Coupled with his 104 goals, he joined former All-American Matt Crist as the only players in school history to have at least 100 career assists and strikes.

While the offense was torching the Mustangs, CNU's defense was equally impressive. Brandon Young forced three turnovers, while Mark Davison added a pair to go along with his first collegiate goal. AJ Rosacker also collected two takeaways, and Zac Hanway pocketed eight saves to earn the victory.

Just as dominant on faceoffs, Warner Cabaniss won 17 of his 21 battles and hauled in nine ground balls. He was a perfect 10-for-10 at the dot in the first half as the Captains built an early lead and never looked back.

With the win, CNU improved to 3-0 on the season, while the setback dropped Stevenson to 1-1.

While the offense stole the show on Saturday, the defense set the tone early in the first stanza. Young forced two quick turnovers after stripping a Mustang with a trail-check in the opening moments before killing a clear with an interception.

Ryan Young also picked off a failed 50-yard heave by the Mustangs, and Davison helped seal off the right post with a takeaway on a late rush by Stevenson.

Meanwhile, the attack found its footing late in the period. After the two teams traded goals in the early part of the stanza, CNU erupted in the final two minutes. Auslander floated a long-range lob to Brendes, who hammered on the doorstep. Shortly thereafter, Brendes came back with a sidewinder just 30 seconds later before assisting on a missile by Miller.

Trailing 4-1 entering the second period, Stevenson pulled back into the game with two straight tallies before Christopher Newport answered with an emphatic rally. Kicking things off in the 24th minute, Cook pushed forward, switched hands, and fired a lefty laser for his second goal of the contest.

Continuing the surge, Cook fed down low to Robby Adams, who used a fake-and-finish to shake the keeper. Then, just before the horn sounded, the Captains flashed their toughness to add the final punctuation mark on the period.

During a late scramble in the offensive end, Miller came up with a loose ball and slipped a pass through two defenders to Brendes while taking a huge hit along the sideline. Incredibly, just a split second after catching the pass, Brendes was leveled by a third Mustang. 

Unfazed by the assault, Brendes somehow managed to flip a perfectly-placed pass to Auslander, who curled in front of the crease and scored just before the clock ran out.

Leading 7-3 entering the break, Christopher Newport put the game out-of-reach after continuing to strike early in the second half. On a fastbreak after two straight saves by Hanway, Cook laced a feed to Brendes, who elevated along the left pipe before completing his hat-trick.

Later in the period, Adams carved up the opposition with back-to-back assists. First, he found Miller steaming around the right post before shrugging off a violent hit to set up a long-range rocket by Jackson.

Although Stevenson inched back within six entering the fourth quarter, CNU responded. With rain starting to blanket the field, the Captains never lost their momentum. After another faceoff win by Cabaniss, Miller connected with Auslander, who bolted up the gut for his second goal, which handed the hosts an 11-4 edge.

Trying to rally, the Mustangs slipped three straight tallies on the board, but the hosts immediately responded with a three-goal spurt of their own. Cook snapped a shot around the hip of a defender on the left side of the field to open the late surge.

Continuing the onslaught, Jackson capitalized on a skip pass from Auslander before Davison put the finishing touches on the contest. After Hanway made his final save of the game, he dropped a dime to Davison, who barrelled his way up the field.

With some room to roam, the defenseman kept a head of steam before unleashing some long-pole lightning with a low liner into the back of the cage, which iced the victory.

Overall, Stevenson held a 37-31 advantage in shots, while CNU led the way in ground balls, 37-22. The hosts also won 20 of the game's 25 faceoffs. Michael Brost went 3-for-4 during his battles, while Brendes secured five ground balls to go along with his six points.

Christopher Newport will return to action on Sunday when the Captains complete a jam-packed weekend with a 4 p.m. bout against Ohio Wesleyan.

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