NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Behind a well-balanced attack and a ferocious performance on the defensive end, the seventh-ranked Christopher Newport men's lacrosse team advanced to the Coastal Lacrosse Conference Championship after knocking off Stockton, 19-12, during the semifinals on a sunny Wednesday afternoon at Jennings Family Stadium.

Cruising into the title bout, the Captains pieced together a well-rounded effort against the Ospreys. Four players registered hat-tricks, including four-goal eruptions by Kevin Miller and Brett Jackson. Drew Miller and Robby Adams also had three strikes apiece, while Andrew Cook added five points of his own.

On the defensive side, Christopher Newport registered 25 takeaways, equaling the 10th-most in program history. Brandon Young led the way with four caused turnovers, while AJ Rosacker and Colin DeGrassi had three apiece. Meanwhile, Ryan Young collected his 150th career strip, joining former All-Americans Phoenix Hines and Max Wayne as the only Captains to reach that milestone.

Also making history on Wednesday, Alex Brendes made his 85th career appearance, breaking the previous program record set by Hines and Wayne. Making the most of his record-setting showcase, the fifth-year phenom posted a goal, assist, and two ground balls against the Ospreys.

With the victory, CNU improved to 14-4 and reached the league championship for the fourth straight year. The Captains will travel to No. 1 Salisbury for the title bout on Sunday at 1 p.m. Meanwhile, Stockton wrapped up the year with an 11-8 record.

Less than 30 seconds into regulation, Christopher Newport grabbed an early lead. After Rosacker punched a ball loose near midfield on a failed clear by the visitors, Jackson snatched the roller, stormed in, and banged home a bouncer to steal a 1-0 lead.

Continuing his work on the offensive end, Jackson came back with an assist on a low liner by Brendes. Moments later, Drew Miller forced a turnover after taking an Osprey to the turf on another failed clear. After Brendes secured the loose ball, Adams finished the play with a dart on the doorstep.

Just five seconds later, after his work on the defensive end, Miller came back with the squad's fourth goal. On the play, Warner Cabaniss came through with a fast faceoff victory before dishing to Miller, who went through the legs with a highlight-reel rocket to grab a 4-1 lead.

Although Stockton retaliated, CNU landed the final blow of the opening period. On a quick clear after a save by Zac Hanway, Rosacker took possession near midfield before connecting with Daniel Siaton on the move for a 5-2 advantage.

Just as effective on the back end, Brandon Young knocked down a pass along the crease to kill off an early rally by the visitors. Later, Siaton elevated for an interception in the center of the zone, while DeGrassi bullied an attacker across the end line to force another turnover.

Continuing to shine on the defensive end in the second period, Luke Nardone picked off a Stockton pass near midfield. With the Ospreys struggling to catch up, Cook took possession and sliced a lengthy feed down low to Jackson, who added another close-range rocket.

Still looking for more, Kevin Miller had two goals and an assist in just over a minute of action in the middle of the period. First, he came through with a fake-and-finish on the doorstep before sniping from the right wing. Then, flashing quick hands, he grabbed an errant shot behind the cage, scooted around the right post, and found Coby Auslander darting down the center on the way to a 9-3 lead.

Meanwhile, on the defensive side, Brandon Young absolutely bodied an attacker who was attempting to catch a pass along the crease. Later, Hanway popped out of the cage and knocked down a feed, while Mark Davison knotted up an attacker who was trying to slip free for a quick shot after a faceoff win by the visitors.

Although Stockton pulled back within four just before halftime, Christopher Newport unloaded again in the third period. Successfully converting a man-down clear, Auslander split a double-team along the left sideline before Jackson landed a blow off a feed from Adams.

Moments later, Cook dropped a defender to the turf, switched hands, and rifled a laser from the left side. Shortly thereafter, Ryan Almassian de-sticked Stockton's faceoff specialist with a vicious check near midfield before Adams set up another rip by Jackson.

After Almassian's play, Christopher Newport continued to bludgeon the Ospreys on the defensive end. Rosacker blew the stick right out of the hands of another midfielder, while DeGrassi intercepted a bounce pass behind the cage. Brandon Young also dropped the hammer on an attacker to complete a strip along the crease.

With the defense blanketing the field, the Captains slapped three late goals on the board. Cook broke out a spin move to circle a defender before unleashing from long range. Later, after Brett Kelley stole possession from Stockton's faceoff specialist, Kevin Miller connected from the right corner, while Adams capped off the period with a turnaround spinner to help secure a 15-9 lead.

Battling back in the fourth quarter, the Ospreys secured three straight goals to cut CNU's lead down to 15-12. Needing to regain some momentum, Ryan Young came through with a huge interception to kill off Stockton's ensuing surge. That play helped jump-start a late rally by the Captains as the hosts cruised towards the victory.

Drew Miller landed back-to-back goals, while his younger brother sank a rip from his knees after collecting a feed from Cook. With little left to prove, Adams polished off the game with a dunk on the doorstep to wrap up the 19-12 triumph.

Overall, Christopher Newport held a 52-38 advantage in shots and a 45-32 lead in ground balls. Meanwhile, Stockton won 21 of the game's 34 faceoffs. On an individual level, Michael Brost won eight battles for the Captains and collected four ground balls. Hanway also nabbed four rollers while finishing with 14 saves. 

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