OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Alex Brendes and Andrew Cook sank five goals apiece, while the Miller brothers combined for eight assists and three strikes of their own as the fifth-ranked Christopher Newport men's lacrosse team capitalized on a well-balanced attack to storm past No. 4 Dickinson, 17-9, during a top-five battle on Friday afternoon at Stevenson's Mustang Stadium.

Putting on a show, Kevin Miller registered the first six points of his collegiate career after landing a hat-trick to go along with three helpers. Meanwhile, Drew Miller matched his career-high with five assists, which also equaled the ninth-most by a Captain in program history.

Along with the Millers, Brendes landed his sixth hat-trick of the year after tying his season-high with five goals. Cook also erupted for five tallies, including three during a huge third-quarter surge that flipped a two-goal game into a 14-6 advantage entering the final stanza.

Incredibly, CNU's eruption came against a stout Dickinson defense, which came into Friday's bout allowing just nine goals per game. The Red Devils ranked among the national-leaders in both scoring defense and takeaways-per-contest before the Captains found their rhythm on the first day of the Mustang Classic.

While the offense stole the show, Christopher Newport's defense was equally effective. Ryan Young and AJ Rosacker both forced two turnovers apiece, while Zac Hanway added eight saves to earn the win.

With the victory, CNU improved to 6-1 on the season, while the setback dropped Dickinson to 5-1.

In the early going, the Captains were led by their defense. Although Dickinson slipped out to a 1-0 edge, the CNU back line blanketed the field. Rosacker pieced together a fantastic stand to avoid a pick and strip an attacker during an early push by the opposition. Moments later, Luke Nardone stood up a Red Devil along the crease before Brandon Young burst in and clubbed the ball free.

Later in the stanza, Aidan Wheeler stayed in the face of an attacker and slammed the door on a dodge before snatching a roller along the end line to flip the field.

After the early defensive stands, the attack found its groove. Kicking things off, the Captains took advantage of outstanding off-ball movement by Daniel Siaton. The second-year star circled behind the crease, gained some breathing room along the left pipe, and capitalized on a feed by Drew Miller.

Later, Miller's younger brother made his presence felt. In the 10th minute, Kevin cut through a crowd, bolted inside, caught a high flip from Drew, and cranked a missile on the move before sliding to a stop just inches from the crease to knot the game at two. On CNU's next possession, he fought his way through six players to grab a loose ball along the right post. After gaining control, he connected with Brendes, who joined the party with a snipe from the left side.

Grabbing a 3-2 edge after the first 15 minutes, Christopher Newport continued to hold its advantage in the second period. First, on the back side, Ryan Young made a phenomenal play to knock down a pass before spinning around an attacker to grab the roller and kill off Dickinson's first rally of the stanza.

Later, during a lengthy push by the opposition, Nardone upended an attacker at the top of the zone before Brandon Young laid the wood on a second Red Devil who attempted to unload a shot on the interior. Still pushing back against Dickinson, Henry Crean tied up an attacker during a scramble along the right sideline before Hanway made a save to end the threat.

Meanwhile, on the other end of the field, the Captains put on a clinic. Drew Miller caught a tough bounce pass in traffic before flipping the ball to his brother, who was stationed along the right pipe. With the defense scrambling, Kevin Miller found Robby Adams, who dodged a defender and ripped a rocket in the right alley.

Continuing his showcase, the younger Miller dropped his shoulder and sent a defender crashing to the turf. After the vicious encounter, a second Red Devil came over to help, which opened up room for Brendes, who whistled a one-timer from the left side of the field.

Still rolling, Cook came through with his first goal of the contest after putting a defender on skates with a quick dodge before connecting on a long-range laser, which gave the Captains a 6-2 edge.

Fighting back, Dickinson responded with two goals in the final 20 seconds of the first half to steal some momentum heading into the break.

After halftime, Christopher Newport regained its footing and landed a counterpunch. After a quick faceoff win by Warner Cabaniss, Brendes opened the action with a sidewinder around the hip of a defender. Following Dickinson's first goal of the period, Brendes added a slippery strike as he ducked under a defender and fired a diving dagger through two more Red Devils for his fourth goal of the contest.

In the 34th minute, the Captains took advantage of another brother-to-brother connection. Never relaxing, Kevin continued looking for an opening in the Dickinson defense. Eventually, he slipped underneath, toed the crease, and caught a lengthy feed from Drew before converting from close range for his second goal of the game.

Making just as many plays that do not appear on the stat sheet, Kevin came back and threw a pick for Brendes, who rolled around a pair of Red Devils and landed a second diving dart on the doorstep for a 10-5 edge.

With all the momentum planted firmly on their sideline, the Captains turned to Cook, who struck three times in the latter portion of the period. First, he showed off his physicality after running straight through a defender while striking on the interior. Moments later, he unleashed a man-up rocket before charging up the gut after a failed Dickinson clear for a last-second goal.

In the midst of Cook's domination, Kevin Miller added his final dagger of the contest as well. After circling the right post, he faked a flip to Brett Jackson before snapping a submarine shot around the keeper, which helped the squad secure a 14-6 edge entering the final period.

With little left to prove, Christopher Newport eased into the victory with three more strikes in the fourth frame. After being used as a decoy in the third quarter, Jackson found the back of the cage with some low-to-high heat during a man-up situation. Later in the period, Cook skipped his fifth goal through the Dickinson keeper before John Santoro found Carson Hoffman for an absolute scorcher, which put the finishing touches on the 17-9 win.

Overall, CNU held a 42-32 advantage in shots and a 40-24 lead in ground balls. The Captains also won 17 of the game's 29 faceoffs, including a 14-for-21 performance by Cabaniss. The All-American faceoff specialist also collected seven ground balls, while Brandon Young had four on the defensive end.

Christopher Newport will return to action on Saturday when the squad faces another top-10 test against No. 10 St. Lawrence at 1:15 p.m.

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