NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Kevin Miller broke the program's career assists record, while four other Captains notched multi-goal efforts as the third-ranked Christopher Newport men's lacrosse team secured a spot in the Coastal Lacrosse Conference Championship with a 13-10 victory over Mary Washington in the league semifinals on a cloudy Wednesday afternoon at Jennings Family Stadium.

Against the Eagles, Miller registered four assists, which bumped his career total to 165. That set a new school standard, moving him past former All-American Coby Auslander, who had 161 helpers from 2020-24.

Equally effective on the offensive end, Jamie Smith scored a game-high four goals, while Ryan Miller, Jackson Platner, and Ethan Slusher all had two strikes apiece. Stuffing the stat sheet, Smith and Miller also had three takeaways apiece while frustrating the Eagles in transition throughout the 60-minute masterpiece.

On the back end, Brett Kelley added three caused turnovers as well, while Colin DeGrassi and AJ Rosacker had four ground balls apiece. Between the pipes, Mason Bellinger also chipped in with seven saves.

With the victory, Christopher Newport improved to 16-2 on the season and advanced to the league championship, which will take place at Jennings Family Stadium on Sunday at noon. The Captains will square off against No. 5 Salisbury in the title bout after the Sea Gulls punched their ticket with an 18-5 triumph over Stockton on Wednesday evening.

Meanwhile, on the other side, the setback dropped Mary Washington to 8-9.

Similar to the regular-season showdown between the two teams, CNU and UMW battled to an early deadlock in the first quarter. Kicking off the action, Slusher bullied a defender along the left side of the crease before snapping a sidewinder around the Eagle's hip. Later, Kevin Miller killed a clear attempt with a strip near the left sideline before connecting with Smith in transition.

Knotted at two midway through the period, the hosts found some rhythm later in the stanza. In less than a minute, Platner buried a bullet into the bottom left corner of the cage before Smith added another dagger on the doorstep during a man-up situation, which handed Christopher Newport a two-goal cushion.

Although the visitors retaliated just before the end of the opening quarter, CNU took control in the second frame. Early on, Jackson Shaw beat a midfielder with a roll at the top of the zone before handcuffing the keeper with a stick-side snipe that found its way inside the left post. Shortly thereafter, Danny Kaplan came through with his first career goal while showing off his toughness.

After catching a flip in the left alley, the freshman was sandwiched between a pair of defenders. Despite the assault, he still managed to uncork a shot that bounced over the keeper and gave the Captains a 6-4 edge.

Continuing the attack, Smith broke the ankles of a defender in the left wing before completing his first-half hat-trick, while Platner unleashed a missile from long range for a four-goal cushion.

Meanwhile, on the defensive side, Christopher Newport kept the visitors in check. Rory Keverline jumped a passing lane and stole a feed at the top of the zone before Rosacker planted a shooter into the turf following a Mary Washington timeout. Kelley also killed off a clear attempt with a physical altercation in the center of the field before Ryan Miller picked off a bouncer near the right sideline, which wrapped up the first half.

Following the break, the Captains continued to suffocate the Eagles. Shaw launched a midfielder across the center stripe to end an early rush before Keverline tied up an attacker along the left side of the crease. Shortly thereafter, Kelley pressured an Eagle into an errant pass in the left corner, while Will Cramp picked off a feed in the center of the zone.

Meanwhile, on the offensive side, CNU slapped two goals on the board in the third quarter. First, Slusher shrugged off a high stick to the head before landing a laser on the interior. Then, Fred Fulkerson spun underneath a defender and tiptoed along the crease before bouncing one through the keeper for a 10-6 lead entering the fourth quarter.

Although Mary Washington opened the final stanza with an early goal, Christopher Newport quickly locked down. During the Eagles' ensuing surge, Siaton and Kelley both deflected a pass before DeGrassi gobbled up the loose ball. Later, the hosts killed three straight clear attempts, including a pair of strips by Smith.

On the final takeaway, the senior made a leaping snag to steal a pass along the left sideline. After landing back down on the turf, he quickly burst in the opposite direction before capitalizing in transition for his fourth and final goal.

Later, Ryan Miller added the squad's last two tallies, including a man-up missile that landed in the top right corner of the cage in the 58th minute, which helped polish off the 13-10 win.

Overall, CNU held a 56-23 advantage in shots and a 41-22 lead in ground balls. The Captains also won 16 of the 26 faceoffs, including 12 victories by Grant Giunchi and a 4-for-6 showcase by Zach Ward. 

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