Live Stats // Video Stream

HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, Va. -- The fourth-ranked Christopher Newport men's lacrosse team will open up the 2024 campaign on Saturday at 5 p.m. when the Captains travel to Hampden-Sydney for a non-conference test at Hellmuth-Gibson Field.

Saturday's bout will serve as the season opener for both programs. For those fans unable to attend the game, live stats and a video stream of the action will be available at HSCAthletics.com. Direct links to both features can be found at the top of this release and on the schedule page.

CNU enters the new year ranked in the top-five nationally in all three major preseason polls. In addition to their No. 4 position in the official list released by the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association, the Captains were also slotted second by USA Lacrosse Magazine and third by Inside Lacrosse.

Hampden-Sydney also received recognition in two of the three preseason polls. The Tigers were picked 17th by USA Lacrosse Magazine and earned votes in the initial rankings released by USILA.

Christopher Newport is coming off of a 2023 campaign in which the squad compiled a 19-3 record while advancing to the NCAA Final Four. The Captains welcome back the vast majority of last year's roster. The veteran portion of the current team accounted for 91 percent of the goals in 2023 along with 88 percent of the faceoff victories and every single save between the pipes.

Of the 21 players who appeared in the team's showdown with Salisbury in the national semifinals, 17 are back on the roster this season. That group includes seven players who started at least 20 games during the program's run to the Final Four.

Among the most decorated members of the current team, Andrew Cook is the reigning USILA National Midfielder of the Year, while Ryan Young was named the country's top defenseman by the same organization. Fittingly, both stars were named preseason first-team All-Americans by USILA, Inside Lacrosse, and USA Lacrosse Magazine.

Along with Cook and Young,  Coby Auslander and Warner Cabaniss have also been named preseason All-Americans by all three organizations, while Alex Brendes, Zac Hanway, Brett Jackson, Drew Miller, and Aidan Wheeler have all been celebrated at least once this winter.

Hampden-Sydney is coming off of a 2023 season in which the Tigers posted a 13-5 record, including an 8-1 mark in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. The team returns 38 lettermen from last year, including seven starters and 18 players who saw action in at least half of the games.

At the forefront of HSC's roster, Ray O'Brien and Gaines Weis were named Preseason All-Americans. O'Brien scored a team-high 46 goals last year, while Weis forced 21 turnovers and added 15 points on the midfield unit. Both players were named USILA All-Americans for their work in 2023.

In 17 previous meetings between the two programs, Christopher Newport holds a 10-7 edge in the series. Last year, CNU produced a 14-6 victory at Jennings Family Stadium. Miller led the victors with four goals, while Cook, Jackson, and Will Mercado added two strikes apiece. Cabaniss also won 15 of his 19 faceoffs, and Hanway chipped in with 13 saves.

After this weekend, Christopher Newport will return to action on February 17 when the Captains host Berry in the home opener at 1 p.m.

---ISH---