ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Penning the final chapter to the 2024 campaign, the sixth-ranked Christopher Newport men's lacrosse team bolted out to an early lead but could not quite hang on as No. 2 RIT rallied late to steal a 19-15 victory during the NCAA Quarterfinals on Saturday afternoon at Tiger Stadium.

Leading by four in the first quarter and two at halftime, CNU held its own against the high-powered RIT attack, which entered the contest ranked third in the nation in scoring offense. Going toe-to-toe with the Tigers, Andrew Cook unloaded five goals, while Brett Jackson added four. Alex Brendes also chipped in with a hat-trick and three assists during a well-rounded showcase.

With his performance on Saturday, Cook joined former All-American Dylan Rice as the only Captains to record at least 100 points in a single season. Cook finished the year with 102.

Just as important during the early rally, Warner Cabaniss starred on faceoffs. The junior All-American continually fed CNU's offense while winning all nine of his attempts in the first quarter. He eventually finished the contest with 19 total triumphs. Additionally, he pocketed 13 ground balls, which equaled the eighth-most in program history and the second-highest total in a postseason game.

Meanwhile, on the back end, Zac Hanway added 10 saves and three ground balls. AJ Rosacker and Brandon Young also contributed two takeaways apiece.

With the setback, Christopher Newport punctuated the year with a 16-6 record, while RIT improved to 20-2 and advanced to the NCAA Semifinals.

In the early going, CNU bolted out to a quick lead. After Hanway stoned a low liner on the defensive end, the offense went to work. Brendes opened the scoring with a laser from the left alley before Cook completed a quick clear with a missile on the move for a 2-0 advantage.

After the early assault, the Captains settled in for a back-and-forth affair. Following RIT's first strike, Cook elevated, snagged a flip from Robby Adams, and landed a high-to-high hammer along the crease. Moments later, following another blow by the Tigers, Adams floated a pinpoint feed over a crowd to Coby Auslander, who snapped off a rip along the right pipe.

Once again, the hosts chipped their deficit back down to one before Christopher Newport erupted over the final five minutes of the opening period. Kicking things off, Cook bounced off a defender, switched to his left hand, and fired a rocket that deflected off of the goalie's stick before spinning into the back of the cage.

Just 25 seconds later, after Cabaniss won the ensuing faceoff, Cook circled around two defenders before striking from the left alley. Then, in the waning moments of the period, Brendes laced a skip pass down low to Jackson, who rifled from the right side.

Looking to respond to the late rally, the Tigers were stifled by Christopher Newport's defense. In the waning moments of the first frame, Hanway pocketed back-to-back saves, while Ryan Young punished an attacker with a bruising hit along the left post to help close out the opening stanza.

Staring at a four-goal deficit after the first 15 minutes, RIT orchestrated a response in the second period. Although the Tigers collected three straight goals, CNU's defense made them work for every one of them. Early on, Luke Nardone tied up an attacker who tried to roll through the center of the zone, while Henry Crean forced an off-target shot with a strong ride in the right alley. Later, Ryan Young bodied a cutter who attempted to circle around the left pipe.

Although the hosts cut their deficit down to one, Christopher Newport sustained its lead. Following a mad scramble off a pipe-shot by Kevin Miller, Jackson secured the loose ball and sank a second-chance opportunity along the right post. Moments later, he completed his first-half hat-trick after snapping off a sidewinder following a feed from Brendes.

Still holding a one-goal lead entering the final seconds of the first half, the Captains struck again just before the clock ran out. Isolated at the top of the zone, Brendes rolled to his right and capitalized on a screen by Nardone before unleashing an absolute burner from long range to snatch a 10-8 edge entering the break.

In the second half, Cook connected on his fifth tally after stinging a one-timer in traffic. Unfortunately, the tide quickly turned after that. Taking advantage of a five-goal spurt in the middle of the period, RIT pulled out to a 14-11 edge in the 40th minute.

Battling back, Brendes took a big hit on the interior while crashing to the turf. Keeping possession, he shoveled the ball to Drew Miller, who launched a liner inside the left pipe. Moments later, Miller came back with a no-look feed to Auslander, who completed the highlight-reel play with a dunk along the right post.

Then, in the final moments of the third period, Cabaniss lowered his shoulder and leveled a Tiger with a vicious hit during a faceoff scrum. After Rosacker collected the roller, Brendes cut around two defenders and split the wickets of RIT's keeper to pull the Captains back within one at 15-14.

Unfortunately, Christopher Newport could not quite pull even. Taking advantage of a pair of late penalties, RIT sank four straight man-up goals in the first three minutes of the fourth quarter. With momentum slipping away, the Captains never backed down. Hustling until the bitter end, Auslander made a diving play along the right sideline to save possession during a rally in the middle of the period. Additionally, on the back end, Brandon Young added two straight takeaways, including a slick interception on a failed feed near the crease.

Later, Jackson dotted the top right corner of the cage with his fourth goal, but the visitors could not complete the comeback as RIT advanced to the NCAA Semifinals with a 19-14 triumph.

Overall, Christopher Newport held a 49-45 advantage in shots and a 41-29 lead in ground balls. The Captains also won 20 of the game's 37 faceoffs.

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