Live Stats // Video Stream

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. -- After opening Coastal Lacrosse Conference action with a victory on Saturday, the fourth-ranked Christopher Newport men's lacrosse team will continue league play on Wednesday at 4 p.m. when the Captains travel to Mary Washington for a showdown at the Battleground Turf Field.

Entering the midweek match-up, CNU sits at 11-2 on the season, including 3-2 on the road. Meanwhile, Mary Washington is 6-4 with a 2-2 mark at home. Both squads are also 1-0 against conference foes this year.

For those fans unable to attend the game, live stats and a video stream of the action will be available at UMWEagles.com. Direct links to both features can be found at the top of this release and on the schedule page.

Christopher Newport kicked off league action on Saturday with a 12-3 win over Stockton. Headlining a defensive masterpiece, Mason Bellinger recorded 20 saves, which equaled his career-high and matched the third-most by a Captain in program history. For that performance, he was named the conference's Defensive Player of the Week for the fourth time this season.

Along with Bellinger, the Captains baited the Ospreys into 21 turnovers. Fittingly, on Senior Day, the veteran members of the team provided some of the most havoc. The seniors chipped in with nine takeaways, including two apiece by Colin DeGrassi, Rory Keverline, and Chris Lewis. Fellow fourth-year stars Ryan Almassian, AJ Rosacker, and Tyler Yang also had one strip each.

Rosacker's takeaway was the 92nd of his career, tying former standout Teddy Pekalski for the second-most by an LSM in school history.

Overall, the three goals surrendered by CNU equaled the fewest by an opponent since Mary Washington suffered a 24-1 setback on April 23, 2022. Remarkably, Saturday's showcase came against a Stockton squad that entered the contest with the nation's 15th-ranked scoring offense. The Ospreys were averaging 15.30 goals per game before the trip to Newport News.

So far this season, Christopher Newport ranks fifth in the nation with a 14.38 takeaways-per-game average. Meanwhile, Bellinger sits second in the NCAA with 168 saves, while the team's .595 save percentage is currently the highest in school history. 

Mary Washington comes into Wednesday's bout on a two-game roll, including a 14-7 victory over Kean on Saturday. During that contest, the Eagles scored the game's first four goals and rolled from there. On an individual level, James Milligan, Tucker Bradley, and Joe Novak all had hat-tricks for the victors, while Ryan D'Angelo hauled in 13 saves.

So far this season, Dave Votapek leads Mary Washington with 27 points, including 17 goals. The Eagles have also controlled possession throughout the year with Jacob Fowler starring on faceoffs. A three-time All-Conference honoree, the senior has won 63 percent of his 138 attempts, including a 12-for-17 performance against Kean on Saturday.

In 22 previous meetings between the two programs, CNU holds a 13-9 edge in the series. Last year, the Captains picked up a 22-8 win in Newport News. During that contest, Kevin Miller and Jamie Smith both had six points for the victors.

After Wednesday's clash, Christopher Newport will return to action on Saturday with a noon trip to Kean.

---ISH---