NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Piecing together a well-balanced attack, a suffocating defensive performance, and a pristine transition game, the fourth-ranked Christopher Newport men's lacrosse team rolled past John Carroll, 21-4, on a cloud-covered Wednesday morning at Jennings Family Stadium.

Although the game began two hours early in order to avoid a powerful thunderstorm in the Hampton Roads area, the time change did little to slow down CNU. With their earliest opening faceoff in a home game since 2012, the Captains made quick work of the Blue Streaks. On the offensive end, 19 different players recorded a point, including a hat-trick by Jamie Smith. Kevin Miller and Joey Fantinato also chipped in with five-point eruptions to help headline a potent attack.

On the defensive side, Mark Davison stole the show. The second-year star forced seven turnovers, which equaled the fourth-highest total in program history and established a new facility record. It also marked the most by a Captain since former National Defenseman of the Year Ryan Young matched the school standard with eight takeaways against Randolph-Macon on February 19, 2022.

Along with Davison's efforts, 10 other players came through with at least one caused turnover, including a pair of strips by Daniel Siaton.

Christopher Newport also dominated possession throughout the contest as the hosts won 23 of the game's 29 faceoffs. Grant Giunchi went 10-for-11 at the dot, while Warner Cabaniss was 5-for-6. Connor Bade also set a new career-high with six faceoff wins, and Tom Best rounded out the crew with a pair of victories.

With the win, CNU improved to 6-0 on the season, while the setback dropped John Carroll to 2-2.

Jumping out to an early advantage, Smith landed the game's first blow after spinning through traffic before unloading an elevated jump-shot over four defenders and the goalie. Seconds later, after a fast faceoff victory, Will Cramp unleashed a rocket on the run to snatch a 2-0 lead.

In the middle of the period, Davison kicked off his historic work after dislodging the ball from a midfielder's stick during a failed clear at the center stripe. Pouncing on the roller, Miller outran the entire John Carroll defense before connecting on a fake-and-finish for his first goal of the contest.

Still rolling, Brett Jackson and Jude MacLean added back-to-back lefty lasers, while Logan Shassian landed a tracer in transition following a slick over-the-head check by AJ Rosacker on the defensive end.

Along with Rosacker's work on the back side, Ryan Almassian intercepted a pass along the crease, Cramp buried an attacker with a huge check at the top of the zone, and Davison clubbed the ball free during a scrum in the left wing. Mason Bellinger also pocketed a pair of saves in the opening period as the Captains completed a first-quarter shutout for the first time since blanking Mary Washington last April.

In the second frame, CNU extended its lead to 8-0 after Miller dotted the top left corner of the cage, while Cramp came back with his second strike after capitalizing on a cut through traffic in the left alley.

Although John Carroll finally cracked the scoreboard in the 28th minute, the hosts immediately responded just before halftime. Once again, Davison was at the center of the action. On the back end, he deflected a pass towards the top of the zone before pinning another attacker's stick to the ground, which allowed Cramp to scamper in and secure the roller.

Jump-starting a fast-break, Cramp eventually threaded a pass that bounced off a stick, spun through two defenders, and found its way to Smith, who scored along the left post.

Staring at a 9-1 deficit at halftime, John Carroll came out of the break with an early goal in the third period before Christopher Newport fired back. MacLean opened the response after rolling past a defender during a one-on-one battle before potting his second strike of the contest. Then, Colin DeGrassi made his mark on both ends of the turf.

On the back side, the defenseman collected an errant feed that skipped through traffic. After a successful clear, he parked himself on the offensive end. Although a John Carroll midfielder stayed with him along the right sideline for a brief period, he was eventually left alone. Making the opposition pay, he secured a pass from Matt McCabe and unloaded a long-range missile from the restraining line for CNU's fifth pole goal in the past five days.

Pushing the lead to double-digits, Smith completed his hat-trick before Fantinato erupted on the offensive end. Entering the game with one goal on the season, he doubled that total in the span of 65 seconds. First, he unleashed a step-back snipe over a defender along the right post before whistling a one-timer from the right wing. Then, in the final moments of the period, he connected with Shassian, who beat the shot-clock with a blast along the left post.

Leading 15-3 entering the fourth quarter, CNU added some finishing touches in the final frame. Ryan Traynor collected his first career point after landing a stinger in the top left corner of the cage. Later, he came back with an assist after running a successful give-and-go with Jack Herron, who netted his first goal from the left wing.

Meanwhile, Luke Solomon teamed up with Bennett Spruell on a pair of darts, while Preston Hoexum came through with a gorgeous face-dodge to beat a one-on-one before avoiding a slide for his second goal of the year. John Santoro also spun a high-to-high hammer under the crossbar to help wrap up a 21-4 triumph.

Overall, Christopher Newport held a 51-32 advantage in shots and a 45-22 lead in ground balls. In addition to the faceoff stars, Rosacker and Davison had three rollers apiece, while Cramp, McCabe, Almassian, and Jed Pellicano had two apiece. Between the pipes, Bellinger finished with nine saves, Declan McCulloch had three, Aidan Tuzik collected a pair, and Trey Landolfi chipped in with one.

CNU will return to action on Saturday when the team travels to Roanoke for a 2 p.m. test in Salem, Virginia.

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