OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Piecing together a remarkable effort between the pipes, Mason Bellinger set a new career-high with 17 saves while leading the fifth-ranked Christopher Newport men's lacrosse team to a 13-10 triumph over No. 18 Stevenson on Saturday evening at Mustang Stadium.

Facing an opponent that came into the contest boasting the nation's 13th-ranked scoring offense, Bellinger kept a tight lid on Stevenson's high-powered attack. Starring throughout the 60-minute battle, he helped the Captains secure an early advantage with 10 saves in the first half before adding seven more after the break.

Overall, his 17 saves equaled the fifth-most in a road game in program history and the highest amount since former All-American Scott McAneney turned away 18 shots at No. 7 Salisbury on May 12, 2018. It also equaled the seventh-highest total by a Captain against a nationally-ranked opponent.

While Bellinger was dominating on the back end, Kevin Miller paced the attack with seven points, including four goals. Jamie Smith also landed a hat-trick for the victors, while Ethan Slusher chipped in with his first multi-goal effort of the season.

With the victory, Christopher Newport improved to 3-0 on the year, while the setback dropped Stevenson to 2-1.

Early on, the Captains set the tone on both ends of the field. First, on the back end, Brett Kelley fought through an early pile-up to win control of a roller and complete a takeaway on Stevenson's opening possession. Moments later, the hosts returned to the offensive end and generated a one-on-one with Bellinger. Unfazed by the situation, he made a sliding stop on a point-blank tracer near the left post before AJ Rosacker won a foot-race for the rebound in the opposite corner.

Following the early defensive work, CNU took over on the other side. In the ninth minute, Fred Fulkerson connected with Miller behind the cage. Bolting around the right post, the second-year star landed a bouncer while toeing the crease for the game's first goal.

Just 15 seconds later, after Warner Cabaniss won the ensuing faceoff, the Captains struck again. This time, Miller set up the tally as he found Smith, who went high-to-low with a stinger in the center of the zone.

Staring at a 2-0 deficit, Stevenson fought back. Despite a slick interception by Bellinger and another save by the CNU keeper, the Mustangs rallied to even the score just before the final horn at the end of the opening period.

Looking to regain some momentum, the defense set up an early strike in the second stanza. On a clear attempt by the hosts, Rosacker bodied a midfielder, who attempted to catch an outlet near the center stripe. Eventually, Brett Jackson came up with the loose ball and jump-started another assault. Settling in behind the crease, Miller inched his way towards the cage, which drew the eyes of a second defender. Eventually, Slusher slipped into an opening on the left wing, caught a feed, and unloaded an absolute screamer into the net for a 3-2 edge.

After the hosts evened the score again, the Mustangs nearly took their first lead of the contest, but Bellinger came through with a fast-break save while sealing off the right post to keep the game knotted at three.

Just over a minute later, the Captains regained the lead and never looked back. Once again, Miller settled in behind the crease and showed patience while waiting for someone to slip free. Eventually, as the defense closed in, Slusher found some space at the top of the zone. After securing the pass, he dotted the top left corner of the cage with a long-range laser to snatch a 4-3 edge.

After that point, Bellinger put on a show. As the Mustangs tried to claw back, the third-year phenom held firm in the crease. On Stevenson's initial response, he made a sprawling save from his knees to kill off the threat. Moments later, he stood tall and brushed aside back-to-back elevated rips before slamming the door on a man-up missile after an attacker wiggled free near the left post.

With just seconds remaining in the first half, the Mustangs called a timeout to draw up a play, but Rosacker blew up their plans after the stoppage. From the left sideline, he avoided a pick, stuck with an attacker, and drove him into a double-team with Colin DeGrassi, which forced an errant pass that ended the second quarter.

Following the break, Bellinger came through with another quick save before Rosacker snatched the rebound after it pin-balled off a pair of players along the crease. After that point, the attack went to work.

In the 32nd minute, Jackson pushed in from the top of the zone, put a defender on skates, and shoveled a feed to Smith, who split the wickets of the keeper. Moments later, Kelley and Daniel Siaton put on a clinic that spanned the entire length of the field.

On the back end, the two defenders swarmed an attacker with a double-team after he tried to find some space on the left wing. Eventually, Kelley brought the hammer down and punched the ball loose before grabbing the roller. In a flash, he kicked off a fast-break opportunity. Bolting down the field, he handed possession over to Siaton, who continued the march before lacing a tracer in transition to give the visitors a 6-3 lead.

Continuing the defensive work, Rory Keverline orchestrated a solid series in the middle of the period. First, he tied up an attacker on the right side before Zack Sands collected the ground ball. Although the Mustangs regained possession, he came back with a quick closeout along the left post to prevent a clean look by a shooter.

Moments later, after both teams were hit with penalties, DeGrassi rode an attacker across the field during a 5-on-5 situation. He eventually shadowed the Mustang behind the crease and carried him around the left pipe before causing a low-percentage shot to sail past the cage. Once the teams returned to full strength, Sands forced another off-target attempt before Bellinger ate a high-to-low blast to end the lengthy defensive stand.

Although Stevenson finally broke through with a pair of goals during a two-minute surge, Christopher Newport had an answer. First, Miller managed to keep control of the ball while being assaulted by a pair of defenders on the right wing. Eventually, he slipped free and handed possession to Jackson, who unleashed a skip pass to Will Cramp.

Fittingly, Cramp fired a beautiful seed back to Miller, who finished what he started with a low liner on the doorstep.

Continuing to attack, Brady Mitchell connected on a long-range rocket before the faceoff crew joined the party. On the ensuing battle, Cabaniss won possession to himself before his wings took over. Ryan Almassian eventually grabbed the ball and connected with Sands, who barreled down the center of the field before landing his second goal of the season to snatch a 9-5 lead.

Following a Stevenson timeout, the hosts regrouped and tacked on three goals in less than two minutes of work. However, CNU had another answer. First, Smith dunked over the keeper before Miller came back with one of the most astonishing goals in program history.

With just 13 seconds left in the frame, the sophomore standout was swallowed by three defenders in the right alley. Eventually, he was taken to the turf but still kept possession of the ball. In the middle of the carnage, he absorbed a series of blows, turned to his side, and snapped off a worm-burner through the legs of two Mustangs to cap off the highlight-reel strike.

In the fourth quarter, Christopher Newport quickly regained a four-goal lead. From the right wing, Jackson pushed in, split two defenders, avoided a slide from the center, and hammered a diving dart into the top left corner of the cage.

Refusing to go down quietly, Stevenson retaliated with two straight strikes to pull back within two at 12-10.

Looking to stem the tide, Jude MacLean set up the game's final goal. With the defense squeezing down in the center of the zone to prevent an inside look, MacLean flashed incredible vision from the left sideline. Finding Miller open across the field, the junior dropped a dime over five defenders. Taking the ball, Miller capped off the evening with a one-timer into the bottom left corner of the cage.

After that point, the defense did the rest. Bellinger stoned another rip by an open shooter who snuck free on the left wing before Sands snagged the rebound and cleared the zone. Later, Keverline won a mad scramble for a loose ball with five other players, while DeGrassi pinched off a shooter along the right post after he tried to catch the Captains on their heels during an unsettled situation.

With little left to prove, Rosacker killed off a clear attempt with 80 seconds left in regulation to end any thought of a comeback bid.

Overall, Stevenson held a 47-44 advantage in shots, while CNU had a 33-23 edge in ground balls. The Captains also won 14 of the 26 faceoffs as Cabaniss captured 11 battles, while Grant Giunchi went 3-for-4 at the dot.

Christopher Newport will return to action on March 1 when the squad begins a three-game homestand with a noon showdown against Grove City.

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