FREDERICKSBURG, Va. -- Behind a suffocating defensive effort and a well-balanced attack, the eighth-ranked Christopher Newport men's lacrosse team stifled Mary Washington while securing a 17-3 triumph during a Coastal Lacrosse Conference clash on Wednesday evening at the Battleground Turf Field.

During the contest, the Captains held UMW scoreless throughout the first two quarters, marking the 14th time in program history that the Captains pitched a first-half shutout. The Eagles eventually scored their first goal in the 34th minute, which was the latest opening strike by an opponent since Guilford was held quiet during the first 51 minutes on March 4, 2017.

Leading the defensive efforts, AJ Rosacker forced three turnovers, while Colin DeGrassi and Brandon Young had two takeaways apiece. The Captains also notched 10 saves, including seven by Declan McCulloch during the first three quarters. 

On the other side of the field, Brett Jackson erupted for seven points, including a career-high four assists. Kevin Miller also added three strikes and three helpers, while Alex Brendes, Carson Hoffman, Jude MacLean, Drew Miller, and John Santoro all had two goals apiece.

Controlling possession, Michael Brost also went 10-for-13 on faceoffs. The 10 victories matched his career-high, tying his performance against Hope in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on May 12, 2023.

With the victory, Christopher Newport improved to 10-4 on the season, including 3-1 in league action. The setback dropped Mary Washington to 7-7 overall and 1-3 against conference foes.

Bolting out to an early lead, the Captains grabbed a quick advantage and never looked back. In the first minute of action, Jackson buried the game's first dagger into the top left corner of the cage before Kevin Miller snapped off a worm-burner from the right alley.

As Brost starred on faceoffs, the attack continued to strike. Drew Miller burned a blast under the crossbar before Santoro unloaded a one-timer from the top of the zone. Shortly thereafter, Kevin Miller beat the shot clock with a dart on the doorstep before assisting on a long-range laser from Jackson.

Still rolling along, the Captains stretched their lead to 8-0 with two more goals at the tail end of the first quarter. MacLean launched a missile that cruised over Santoro's head before landing inside the right post. Then, Jackson added his second after sending a seed through the keeper off a flip from Fred Fulkerson.

Meanwhile, on the defensive side, CNU kept a lid on Mary Washington's attack. DeGrassi forced a pair of turnovers, including a gorgeous play along the endline that saw him de-twig an attacker with a vicious assault. Later, McCulloch added a solid stop on a fast-break by a Mary Washington long-pole, while Ryan Young punctuated a man-down situation with tight pressure along the right alley.

Following a short breather, Christopher Newport continued the onslaught in the second stanza. After serving as wings on the opening faceoff, Ryan Almassian connected with Luke Nardone, who whistled a screamer inside the right pipe. Moments later, Kevin Miller completed his first-half hat-trick off a pass from Jackson.

While the attack never slowed down, CNU continued its showcase on the back end as well. Kicking things off, the squad's defensive midfielders dominated in the early going. Ryan Cammarata dumped an attacker to the turf on an initial rush, while Aidan Wheeler walled off the right post on the next series after swallowing a dodge along the crease. Later, Rosacker joined the party as the long-pole specialist forced a pair of turnovers, including a sensational strip during a double-team with Brandon Young.

Following the defensive stand, the visitors tossed two more goals on the board at the end of the period. MacLean notched his second strike with a physical assault. Isolated with a defender, he lowered his shoulder, barrelled through the Eagle, switched hands, and rifled a lefty laser for the team's 11th tally. Then, Drew Miller capped off his afternoon with a fake-and-finish on the doorstep to steal a 12-0 advantage.

In the second half, the Captains continued putting their physicality on display. Early on, Nardone drove an attacker into the ground on Mary Washington's first series before Cammarata planted another Eagle on a subsequent surge. Although the hosts eventually broke through in the 34th minute, Wheeler came right back and sent a shooter crashing to the turf during UMW's next push.

Later, on the other end of the field, Brendes landed back-to-back strikes. First, he absorbed contact along the crease while dunking on the doorstep before unloading a hammer from the hip during a man-up situation in the 44th minute.

Entering the final stanza with a comfortable 14-1 lead, Christopher Newport cruised to the victory. On the offensive side, Hoffman deposited a pair of goals, including a slick strike that saw him fake a behind-the-back attempt before burying a seed inside the right post. Later, Santoro capped off the attack with a submarine shot through traffic off a flip from Duncan O'Brien.

On the other side, Mason Bellinger and Trey Landolfi combined for three saves, while Zack Sands came through with a nice strip behind the crease before boxing out an Eagle, which allowed Matthew Birken to swoop in and snatch the loose ball. 

Overall, Christopher Newport held a 49-29 advantage in shots and a 36-26 lead in ground balls. The squad also won 13 of the game's 24 faceoffs. DeGrassi, Cam Foti, and Logan Shassian all secured three rollers apiece, while Ryan Young had a pair to go along with a takeaway.

CNU will return to action on Saturday when the Captains host Stockton at noon.

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