MONTCLAIR, N.J. -- The sixth-ranked Christopher Newport men's lacrosse team kicked off Coastal Lacrosse Conference action with a well-rounded victory as the Captains knocked off Montclair State, 12-6, during a league bout on Saturday afternoon at Sprague Field.

Setting the tone early, the defense physically dominated the Red Hawks during the 60-minute affair. Luke Nardone had a career-high three takeaways, including an impressive play in the first half that saw him de-cleat a midfielder. Six other Captains had at least one strip during the game, including a pair by AJ Rosacker.

On the opposite end of the field, Andrew Cook contributed five points, including four goals. Robby Adams also had two strikes and a pair of assists. Overall, seven different players found the back of the cage, including a lethal assault in the fourth quarter that saw the visitors slap six goals on the board during a six-minute surge.

With the victory, Christopher Newport improved to 8-3, including 1-0 in league action. Meanwhile, the setback dropped Montclair State to 4-5, including 0-1 against conference foes.

During a defensive grind in the opening quarter, the Captains managed to sink a pair of early goals. Kicking off the action, Drew Miller pieced together a dodge on the left side of the zone before flipping a pass over to Adams, who capped off the opening strike with a diving dagger along the right post.

Later, Adams also played a role in the second strike. After the Red Hawks evened the score at one, Adams set a screen, which bottled up a pair of defenders. Taking advantage, Kevin Miller slipped free on a run up the right alley before dotting the top corner of the cage with a one-timer.

Meanwhile, on the opposite end of the field, the Captains clamped down. Ryan Young killed off a lengthy MSU rally with an interception along the crease. Later, he came back and snagged a loose ball that slipped out of the stick of a shooter, while Brandon Young pressured an attacker and forced a low-percentage attempt, which Zac Hanway plucked between the pipes.

In the second stanza, the attack went to work and extended the lead. Early on, Cook secured a one-on-one match-up at the top of the zone. Taking advantage, he pushed in, stopped, switched hands, and wrapped a rocket around the body of a defender for his first goal of the contest.

Continuing to make waves, Cook flashed his vision with a skip pass to Auslander, who scored along the crease. Moments later, he came back with his second strike during a slick rally in the 21st minute. Breaking out a quick dodge and stutter-step, he snapped the ankles of a short-stick and long-pole with the same move before burying a high-to-low hammer.

On the other end, the defense never relented. Colin DeGrassi pressured an attacker along the end line to help force an early turnover by Montclair State. Later, Nardone came back with a pair of strips, including a physical altercation with a midfielder that left the Red Hawk splayed out on the turf.

Cook also joined the party on the back end. Following his offensive heroics, he found himself matched up with an attacker on the defensive side. Unfazed by the change of scenery, he blasted his opponent with a violent check that sent the Red Hawk tumbling to the ground.

Continuing the defensive domination in the third period, Nardone absolutely badgered an attacker on the right side of the field before knocking the ball free. Later, Aidan Wheeler avoided a pick and stayed with an attacker before joining Ryan Young on a successful double-team, which ended in a Montclair State turnover.

Although the hosts continued to attack and eventually collected a pair of goals in the period, Christopher Newport responded in the fourth quarter with an epic offensive rally.

Leading by a pair entering the final stanza, CNU quickly stretched its advantage. Kicking things off, Drew Miller opened the assault with his first goal. Seconds later, after a quick faceoff win by Warner Cabaniss, Auslander slid underneath his defender along the right post for Christopher Newport's second straight goal.
 
Continuing the assault, Brett Jackson rifled a rocket into the top right corner of the cage in the 49th minute. Later, the third-year standout started a quick rally that ended in Cook's third goal of the contest.

With the momentum firmly planted on their sideline, the Captains never let up. After a pair of saves by Hanway, Wheeler came through with a quick clear. Catching the Red Hawks in transition, he had a free run at the cage before cracking a shot under the crossbar for a 10-4 lead.

With little left to prove, Cook came back with a turnaround tracer before Auslander killed off a late MSU clear, which resulted in a fast-break bullet by Adams to lock up the 12-6 win.

Overall, Christopher Newport held a 40-31 advantage in shots and a 32-23 lead in ground balls. The Captains also captured 13 of the game's 22 faceoffs. Cabaniss won 11 battles, while Michael Brost added a 2-for-3 performance as well. Meanwhile, Hanway finished with 10 saves.

CNU will return to action on April 6 when the team hosts No. 1 Salisbury at 1 p.m.

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