PITMAN, N.J. -- Following a tremendous start to his senior campaign, Christopher Newport men's lacrosse standout Mason Bellinger was celebrated as the Coastal Lacrosse Conference Defensive Player of the Week, which was announced by the league office on Monday morning.

The weekly honor was the second of Bellinger's career after he was previously recognized for his work on March 10, 2025.

Opening the 2026 campaign with a remarkable two-game stretch, Bellinger compiled a .645 save percentage and 5.90 goals-against-average during CNU's first two outings. Leading the Captains to a pair of victories, he eventually pocketed 20 total saves while adding five ground balls and three caused turnovers.

Kicking off the year with a historic appearance against Elizabethtown, Bellinger guided Christopher Newport to a 17-4 victory on January 30. Against the Blue Jays, he secured seven saves during the first three quarters before exiting the contest with a comfortable lead in the final frame. During the game, he stoned the first three shots he saw, including a shorthanded save in the opening quarter, which helped the Captains build an early 7-0 advantage.

Suffocating the opposition in a variety of ways, Bellinger also chipped in with three takeaways against Elizabethtown, which equaled the most by a goalie in program history. Only former legend and current broadcaster Andy McGregor produced a similar effort after causing three turnovers at No. 14 Lynchburg on March 27, 2010. 

Continuing his early-season domination, Bellinger came back with another stellar showcase during a 10-7 win at Hampden-Sydney on February 7. Against the Tigers, he picked up 13 saves and snagged a pair of ground balls. Three of his stops came during man-down situations in the second half, including a clutch save on HSC's final threat of the contest with three minutes left in regulation.

Bellinger's performance solidified his spot as one of the nation's top goalies. A reigning third-team All-American, he earned universal acclaim this winter. The Paramus, New Jersey native was named the National Preseason Goalie of the Year by USA Lacrosse Magazine and Inside Lacrosse while also earning first-team Preseason All-American accolades from the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association.

In his career, Bellinger currently boasts a .559 save percentage, which stands as the highest in program history. He also ranks fifth on the school's all-time charts with 278 saves, while his 9.95 goals-against-average is the seventh-best by a Captain.

Bellinger and the rest of his teammates will return to action on Saturday at 1 p.m. when CNU squares off with No. 9 Gettysburg in a neutral-site tilt at Stevenson University's Mustang Stadium.

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