SPARKS, Md. -- Hauling in national accolades for their work this spring, eight members of the Christopher Newport men's lacrosse team secured All-American citations from USA Lacrosse Magazine.

Headlining the group, Mason Bellinger, Brett Kelley, and Jamie Smith earned first-team honors from the publication. Meanwhile, Kevin Miller and Daniel Siaton were both second-team selections, while Colin DeGrassi, Rory Keverline, and Jackson Platner picked up honorable mention plaudits.

Bellinger, Miller, and Smith were all recognized by USA Lacrosse Magazine for the second straight year. The other five recipients were first-time honorees.

Overall, the eight All-Americans equaled the most in program history, tying the record-setting haul in 2022.

After entering the season as the USA Lacrosse Magazine National Preseason Goalie of the Year, Bellinger has lived up to the hype during a record-setting senior campaign. The fourth-year phenom has already set a new single-season school record with 281 saves, while his .608 save percentage is the highest in program history and ranks eighth on the national charts. Among his efforts, he has three 20-save outings this year, including a record-setting 26 stops during a win over No. 6 Salisbury on April 18. A two-time USA Lacrosse National Player of the Week, he has also collected 58 ground balls and nine caused turnovers while adding a pair of points.

Helping anchor one of the nation's top defenses, DeGrassi has continued his standout career with another impressive campaign. In his final year with the Captains, he has already established new career-highs with 31 caused turnovers and 52 ground balls. During the spring, he has collected at least two rollers in 15 of his appearances, including all four postseason games. His high-water mark came in the opening battle of the NCAA Tournament when he plucked six ground balls and forced five turnovers against Pfeiffer on May 9. His five strips against the Falcons equaled the most by a Captain in the national playoffs in school history.

After a pair of solid seasons to begin his career, Kelley has ascended to a new level during a breakout junior campaign. Establishing himself as one of the top defenders in the country, he currently has 50 caused turnovers, which stands as the sixth-most by a Captain in school history. His 76 ground balls are also 12th on the program's all-time leaderboard and third among non-faceoff specialists. The junior has secured multiple ground balls in each of the past 20 games while notching at least one takeaway in 20 of his 21 outings. Meanwhile, he has also chipped in with seven points, including six goals. His six tallies are the most by a long pole in program history

A key cog on Christopher Newport's defensive midfield unit, Keverline has starred throughout his senior campaign. So far this spring, he ranks fourth on the team - and first among midfielders - with 25 caused turnovers. That total also stands as the second-most by a short-stick defensive midfielder in program history, just one shy of the all-time record. Overall, he has notched at least one takeaway in 14 appearances, including his last 10 outings. That includes three strips apiece against No. 5 Salisbury in the Coastal Lacrosse Conference Championship on May 3 and No. 13 Washington and Lee in the NCAA Tournament on May 10.

Named to the Tewaaraton Award Watch List, Miller has remained one of the nation's most dynamic playmakers during his junior campaign. After leading the NCAA with 81 assists last year, he is back at the top of the charts with 73 helpers so far this season. His 108 points are also the eighth-most in the country and the second-highest total in program history. Eviscerating opposing defenses, he has notched at least one assist in all 21 games while producing two or more on 18 occasions. Equally effective as a finisher, he has 35 goals, including five hat-tricks. Meanwhile, his eight points against No. 13 Washington and Lee on May 10 equaled the most by a Captain in NCAA Tournament history.

An imposing presence on the midfield crew, Platner has continued to shine as one of the top offensive threats on the team. During his second year with the program, he leads all midfielders with 25 goals, 10 assists, and 35 points. The sophomore sensation has pitched in with multiple points in 11 of his appearances, including three of the team's four playoff games. Among his highlights, he had six points, including his third hat-trick of the season, during the squad's win over No. 13 Washington and Lee in the third round of the NCAA Tournament on May 10. He also had three points in top-10 duels against No. 4 Lynchburg on March 13 and No. 6 Salisbury on April 18.

One of the top short-stick specialists in program history, Siaton has pieced together a sensational senior season. A consistent contributor, he has secured at least one ground ball in 18 of his 21 appearances while notching two or more on 12 occasions. Meanwhile, his 39 total rollers are the most by a midfielder on this year's squad. Equally effective all over the field, he also has 14 caused turnovers and seven points this spring. Among his efforts, he had two takeaways in the conference tournament against Mary Washington on April 29. Continuing his postseason heroics, he came back with an assist against No. 13 Washington and Lee in the national playoffs on May 10.

Scattering his name throughout the history books, Smith has remained one of the most prolific goal-scorers in collegiate lacrosse history. One year after leading the country with 84 strikes as a junior, he has continued his assault with an NCAA-high 81 tallies this spring. He has scored at least once in all 21 games, including 18 multi-goal eruptions and 15 hat-tricks. Those outbursts include a pair of seven-goal outings against Elizabethtown on January 30 and Ohio Northern on March 8. In addition to his finishing skills, he has also established a new career-high with 12 assists, while his 93 total points are the sixth-most by a Captain in program history.

Christopher Newport will return to action on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. when the Captains battle No. 12 Wesleyan in the NCAA Quarterfinals in Medford, Massachusetts.

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