NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Taking a lead just three minutes into regulation, the seventh-ranked Christopher Newport men's lacrosse team pieced together a wire-to-wire win over No. 10 Washington and Lee as the Captains never lost their advantage during a 12-8 victory on a cloud-covered Saturday afternoon at Jennings Family Stadium.

After CNU slapped the first two goals on the board in the opening quarter, the Generals cut their deficit down to one on five occasions, but the Captains continued to find an answer. Leading 9-8 with less than eight minutes remaining in regulation, the hosts strung together the game's final three goals to walk away with the victory.

Making his 84th career appearance, which tied former legends Max Wayne and Phoenix Hines for the all-time program record, Alex Brendes erupted for four points against W&L, including his eighth hat-trick of the year. Coby Auslander also handed out four assists, while Kevin Miller, Robby Adams, and Drew Miller all had two daggers apiece.

Overall, eight different players registered at least one point, including Brett Jackson, who recorded his 100th career goal. With his third-quarter missile, he became just the ninth Captain to reach that benchmark.

Warner Cabaniss also made history on Saturday. The reigning All-American wrapped up the day with 780 career faceoff victories, topping the former program record of 773, which was set by longtime standout Tony Cruz from 2015-18. He also became the first Captain to eclipse 500 career ground balls.

Rounding out the historic performers, Ryan Young secured his 200th career ground ball on Saturday, joining Hines and Teddy Pekalski as the only non-faceoff specialists to reach that benchmark. Eventually, Young finished the day with five rollers and three takeaways, while AJ Rosacker also added three strips to go along with his second goal of the year.

Equally impressive on the defensive end, Zac Hanway pocketed 16 saves during a masterful performance between the pipes.

With the victory, Christopher Newport improved to 13-4 on the season. Meanwhile, Washington and Lee concluded the day with an identical record.

Setting the tone from the very beginning, Jackson laid the wood on a defender during a failed clear by the Generals, which gave the Captains new life in the third minute. Taking advantage of the extra possession, Brendes capitalized on a pick by Andrew Cook before bouncing a bullet through the keeper's five-hole on the way to a 1-0 lead.

After Hanway stymied a pair of W&L runs with back-to-back saves, the hosts landed another blow in the ninth minute. This time, Auslander connected with Drew Miller, who fired a turnaround jumper from the center of the zone to snatch a 2-0 advantage.

Although the Generals responded with their first goal, CNU retaliated in the final moments of the opening period. With only four seconds remaining in the quarter, Kevin Miller found himself isolated along the left sideline. Unfazed by the short time, the freshman phenom used every last tick on the clock as he slipped underneath his defender, scooted inside, and snapped a sidewinder around the keeper for a 3-1 edge.

At the start of the second stanza, Christopher Newport continued to put its stamp on the game with a physical brand of lacrosse. Mere seconds into the period, Luke Nardone buried the opposing faceoff specialist with an assault at midfield before collecting the ground ball and jump-starting an initial surge. Later, Daniel Siaton and Brandon Young came through with a quick closeout to help slow down a W&L rush before Hanway added a sliding save in the crease.

Shortly thereafter, Rosacker clubbed the ball away from two different Generals during a lengthy war near midfield, while Ryan Young picked the pockets of an attacker who attempted to slide underneath along the right post.

Although Washington and Lee eventually found an opening early in the period, the Captains fired back. Catching the Generals subbing during a quick transition, Adams sidestepped a long-pole and went with an off-speed spinner into the top left corner of the cage. Shortly thereafter, Brendes went high-to-low with a submarine shot during a man-up situation, which helped give the hosts a 5-3 edge entering the break.

In the second half, Christopher Newport stretched the lead to four. Adams notched another strike off a flip from Auslander before Jackson kissed the left post with a stinger for his 100th career tally.

Later, on the defensive end, Jackson came back with a huge takeaway after coming through with a diving strip near midfield to kill off a fast-break by the visitors. Sadly, the Generals shrugged off the stumble and quickly regrouped with three straight goals to inch back within one at 7-6.

Needing to regain some momentum, CNU found an answer. In the final minute of the third period, Cook drew a second defender after switching hands during a dodge in the left alley. With some space along the post, Drew Miller filled the void, caught a feed, and landed a turnaround tracer on the doorstep.

Trailing 8-6 entering the final period, the Generals struck first in the fourth quarter to close the gap. Looking for an answer, Christopher Newport capitalized on some fantastic work by the squad's wings. On the ensuing faceoff, Rosacker dirtied up the draw after lowering his shoulder to drop a General before winning a race for the loose ball.

After gaining possession, he barreled up the field before slamming a one-timer inside the left post for a long-pole goal.

Continuing to hustle on the very next faceoff, Siaton came through with a diving play to prevent a General from collecting the roller before it slipped out-of-bounds. Later, during a man-down situation, Ryan Young added a momentum-turning interception to thwart the threat.

Although Washington and Lee eventually found another opening with less than eight minutes left in regulation, Christopher Newport never let the visitors pull even. Taking advantage of a pick by John Santoro behind the crease, Kevin Miller rolled around the right post, split a double-team, and connected from close range for his second goal of the contest.

Later, after Aidan Wheeler helped close down W&L's next rally while bouncing off four different Generals to secure possession, Brendes beat a triple-team with a physical dodge to grab an 11-8 lead in the 58th minute.

With time winding down, Jackson corralled a huge ground ball while pinned to the right sideline before flipping a feed to Auslander, who was stationed near midfield. With the Generals trying to force a turnover, the fifth-year phenom quickly found Cook, who sank an empty-netter to polish off the victory.

Overall, Christopher Newport held a 47-38 advantage in shots, while Washington and Lee led in ground balls, 37-23, and won 15 of the game's 23 faceoffs. Cabaniss finished the contest with seven wins and four rollers, while Nardone and Colin DeGrassi added two ground balls on the defensive side.

CNU will return to action on Wednesday when the Captains open up the Coastal Lacrosse Conference Tournament with a semifinal bout at 1 p.m. Christopher Newport will host the survivor of a first-round tilt between Stockton and Montclair State.

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