PITMAN, N.J. -- For the fifth time this season, Mason Bellinger has been named the Coastal Lacrosse Conference Defensive Player of the Week after the fourth-year phenom pieced together a record-breaking performance while leading the Christopher Newport men's lacrosse team to a victory over Salisbury on Saturday at Jennings Family Stadium.

Previously, Bellinger was honored by the league on February 9, February 23, March 23, and March 30. His five awards are the most in a single season in program history. Meanwhile, his six career honors are the third-most by a Captain, trailing only the seven awards received by former legends Warner Cabaniss and Zac Hanway.

In his lone appearance of the week, Bellinger made the most of his opportunity with one of the finest individual performances by a student-athlete in Christopher Newport history. During a 12-9 win over No. 6 Salisbury, the senior star established a new program record with 26 saves. That total eclipsed the previous standard of 25, which was set by former legend Andy McGregor against Stevenson in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament on May 8, 2013.

After opening the contest with five saves in the opening period, Bellinger hauled in seven stops during each of the final three stanzas to secure the record. Overall, his 14 saves after halftime marked the most in a second half in school history, topping Jackson Tyler's 12 stops against Randolph-Macon on April 8, 2009.

Along with his work on the back end against the Sea Gulls, Bellinger also provided one of the season's most memorable offensive highlights. On a clear attempt in the 33rd minute, he took possession on the defensive side of the field, ran through a midfielder along the center stripe, and danced through three defenders near the crease before depositing the game-tying goal with a bouncer on the doorstep. That marked his second career goal and just the third strike by a goalie in CNU history.

Aided by his work against Salisbury, Bellinger now ranks eighth in the NCAA with 231 saves this season. That also stands as the fourth-highest total in program history, just 15 shy of equaling Hanway's school record of 246 set in 2023. Meanwhile, his .614 save percentage is currently the highest in program lore.

Honored as the USA Lacrosse Magazine and Inside Lacrosse National Preseason Goalie of the Year, Bellinger has stockpiled awards throughout his senior campaign. In addition to his five weekly conference honors, he was also recognized as the USA Lacrosse National Player of the Week on March 24. He earned a spot on the USILA National Team of the Week on April 1 as well.

In his career, Bellinger ranks first in school history with a .581 save percentage. He also sits third with 32 wins and fourth with 489 saves. 

Bellinger and the rest of his teammates will return to action on April 29 when CNU kicks off the Coastal Lacrosse Conference playoffs with a semifinal bout at Jennings Family Stadium. The top-seeded Captains will host the survivor of a first-round battle between Mary Washington and Kean.

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