SPARKS, Md. -- Continuing to earn universal praise for his record-setting performance last weekend, Christopher Newport men's lacrosse star
Mason Bellinger received a pair of national weekly accolades as the senior goalkeeper was recognized as the USA Lacrosse National Player of the Week while earning a spot on the USILA National Team of the Week.
Bellinger picked up both awards for the second time this season. Previously, he was named the National Player of the Week on March 24 before garnering a place on the National Team of the Week on April 1.
With his second award, Bellinger became the first Captain to be named the National Player of the Week twice in one season. Meanwhile, he became the third standout to receive multiple Team of the Week citations in a single campaign, joining longtime legends Brady Altobello (2021) and Zac Hanway (2024).
Along with his national awards, Bellinger was previously celebrated as the Coastal Lacrosse Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Monday.
Making the most of the team's lone appearance last week, Bellinger orchestrated a record-breaking performance during Christopher Newport's 12-9 victory over No. 6 Salisbury on Saturday at Jennings Family Stadium. Against the Sea Gulls, the Paramus, New Jersey native hauled in 26 saves. That broke the previous school standard of 25, which was set by former legend Andy McGregor against Stevenson on May 8, 2013.
Consistent throughout the contest, Bellinger pocketed five saves in the first quarter before notching seven in each of the next three stanzas. His 14 stops after halftime also set a new school record for the most saves in a second half. Previously, Jackson Tyler stopped 12 shots over the final 30 minutes during a battle against Randolph-Macon on April 8, 2009.
In addition to his remarkable work between the pipes, Bellinger also chipped in on the other side of the field after depositing his second career goal. With the score tied at eight early in the third quarter, the fourth-year phenom took possession on a clear attempt and ran straight through four different Sea Gulls before landing a bouncer on the doorstep to give the Captains a lead they would never relinquish.
Bellinger's strike was just the third goal by a goalkeeper in program history. He also scored on a coast-to-coast rally against Williams on March 26, 2025, while Zac Hanway beat a 10-man ride with a long-range rocket against Southern Virginia on March 3, 2021.
With his work against Salisbury, Bellinger added another chapter to a storybook season. His performance on Saturday was his third 20-save outing of the year. Previously, he had 20 stops in wins against No. 14 Amherst on March 21 and Stockton on March 28. Putting that into perspective, prior to the 2026 campaign, there had only been two 20-save efforts in the entire history of the Christopher Newport men's lacrosse program.
Additionally, Bellinger's goal was his second point of the year after assisting on a tally against Roanoke on April 8. He is the only goalie in program history with a multi-point campaign. Incredibly, he has now accomplished that feat twice after posting five points during his junior season.
Honored as the
USA Lacrosse and
Inside Lacrosse National Preseason Goalie of the Year, Bellinger has lived up to the billing throughout his senior season. He currently ranks eighth in the NCAA with 231 saves. That total also places him fourth on the program's all-time charts.
In his career, the reigning All-American 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 opens 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 showdown between Mary Washington and Kean.
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