NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Dominating in all facets of the game while orchestrating a well-rounded victory, the sixth-ranked Christopher Newport men's lacrosse team punched its ticket back to the NCAA Quarterfinals after knocking off No. 15 Stevens, 12-5, during the third round of the national playoffs on a spectacular Sunday evening at Jennings Family Stadium.

Reaching the Elite Eight for the fourth straight year, CNU advanced through the opening weekend of the NCAA Tournament after capitalizing on a well-balanced performance. Offensively, Andrew Cook and Alex Brendes contributed five points apiece, while Coby Auslander and Robby Adams also added multi-goal efforts. After storming out to a fast 3-0 lead, the Captains never trailed while easing into the victory.

On the opposite end of the field, Christopher Newport suffocated the competition. Facing a program that came into the game ranked seventh in the nation in scoring offense, the Captains held Stevens scoreless during a phenomenal 42-minute stretch that saw the hosts flip a 4-4 game into a lopsided 12-4 advantage.

Leading the way, AJ Rosacker came through with three takeaways, while Daniel Siaton, Luke Nardone, and Brandon Young had two apiece. Ryan Young also cleaned up the turf with three ground balls on the back end, while Zac Hanway pocketed nine saves to earn the victory.

With the triumph, CNU improved to 16-5 on the year. Continuing the postseason on May 18, the Captains will travel to No. 2 RIT for a noon test against the Tigers.

On the other side, Stevens wrapped up the year with an 18-3 record.

Setting the tone from the very beginning, Cook and Adams headlined the early assault. Just over a minute into regulation, Cook landed a high-to-low hammer before Adams came back with a fake-and-finish less than 50 seconds later. Still rolling along, Adams carved up the Ducks with a no-look feed to Auslander, who quickly extended the lead to 3-0 in the sixth minute.

Although Stevens finally broke through, Ryan Young had an answer on the defensive side. On the ensuing faceoff, the first-team All-American absolutely buried the Ducks' FOGO with a bone-crushing hit on the interior. Later, after Hanway brushed aside an on-target rip, Young snatched the rebound and jump-started a successful clear.

Back on the offensive end, the Captains polished off the first period with some quick ball movement as Auslander found Brendes, who connected with Drew Miller for a lightning-quick blast.

Although Stevens answered with three straight goals to even the score at four in the 18th minute, Christopher Newport had an emphatic response. On a failed clear, Rosacker tied up a long-pole with a devastating check for his second strip of the contest. Later, Ryan Almassian pinned a Duck to the left sideline, forcing an errant pass, which Kevin Miller quickly corralled.

Meanwhile, on the opposite end, the attack regained its rhythm. With a full head of steam, Cook charged down the center before two defenders slid over to stop the surge. Although he was knotted up in the scrum, he still had his hands free long enough to flip a pass to Brendes, who landed the go-ahead rocket.

Later in the period, the two All-Americans teamed up again to cap off the first half. This time, Brendes took possession at the top of the zone before finding Cook, who turned and fired a sidewinder into the back of the net for a 6-4 lead at the break.

In the second half, Christopher Newport continued to keep a lid on Stevens with a physical brand of lacrosse. Early on, Siaton came through with one of the finest clears of the season. Taking a body shot from a Duck, he bounced off the hit, shrugged off another check to the neck, and skipped a bouncer around a third midfielder to complete the clear.

Shortly thereafter, Rosacker dropped a shooter with a bruising hit to force an off-kilter attempt before Luke Nardone stripped another attacker to shut down a subsequent rally along the right side of the crease.

Meanwhile, the attack continued to light up the scoreboard. Showing incredible patience and slick footwork, Auslander danced around two Ducks in the right alley before snapping a bullet around the hip of the closest defender for his 20th goal of the year. Moments later, Adams sent a screamer through the Stevens goalie before Kevin Miller found a sliver of daylight between the keeper and the left post on the way to a 9-4 lead.

Later, during a man-down situation, Rosacker took on a pair of attackers and won possession along the right sideline before Brendes snatched the loose ball near midfield. With Stevens' defense struggling to catch up during the unsettled situation, the fifth-year phenom generated a 3-on-2 breakaway before rifling on the run.

Leading 10-4 entering the fourth quarter, Christopher Newport never let up on the defensive end. Showcasing his versatility, Brendes smothered a midfielder with a barrage of checks to force a turnover on a failed clear early in the period. Shortly thereafter, Siaton bolted out of the box and came through with a chase-down check to strip an attacker from behind.

Just as effective on the offensive end, the Captains put a fitting punctuation mark on the contest. Brendes completed his hat-trick after spinning through two different long-poles in the left alley. Later, with the shot clock winding down, Cook looked to find a cutter on the interior. Although no one wiggled free, he simply scooted around the crease and connected just before the horn sounded.

Overall, Christopher Newport held a 49-26 advantage in shots and a 35-17 lead in ground balls. The Captains also won 12 of the game's 20 faceoffs, including a 10-for-16 effort by Warner Cabaniss.

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