LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Mason Bellinger was recognized as the nation's top goalie, while eight other Captains also garnered All-American honors as the Christopher Newport men's lacrosse team stockpiled awards from the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association on Wednesday afternoon.

Headlining the honorees, Bellinger was the recipient of the organization's Ensign C. Markland Kelly Jr. Outstanding Goalie Award, which is annually bestowed upon the top goalkeeper in the country. He became the first Captain to receive the prestigious honor.

Along with his top individual award, Bellinger was also named to the first-team All-American squad. Additionally, Kevin Miller hauled in second-team nods, while Brett Kelley and Jamie Smith were third-team selections. Rounding out the decorated contingent, Mark Davison, Ryan Miller, Jackson Platner, AJ Rosacker, and Daniel Siaton picked up honorable mention citations.

Bellinger, Davison, Platner, Smith, and Kevin Miller all received USILA All-American accolades for the second straight season, while the other four standouts were first-time honorees. Meanwhile, Ryan Miller joined Platner and former legend Warner Cabaniss as the only freshmen in school history to earn national recognition.

Adding even more luster to their awards, the Miller brothers became just the second sibling duo to earn All-American nods in the same season in any sport in school history. They joined twin sisters Caroline and Courtney Hughlett, who were both recognized for their work on the field hockey team in the fall.

Meanwhile, the Miller collective also became the first family to produce three All-Americans at CNU in school history. Kevin and Ryan's older brother, Drew Miller, was a two-time All-American with the lacrosse team in 2023 and 2024. 

Overall, the nine total All-Americans in 2026 marked the third-highest total in program history, falling just short of the 10 award-winners in 2022 and 2023.

Wrapping up one of the finest seasons by any student-athlete in Christopher Newport history, Bellinger added his name to the record books during the 2026 campaign. During his senior year, he registered 286 saves, which set a new single-season school standard and marked the third-highest total in the NCAA. Additionally, his .593 save percentage was the top mark in program history, topping the second-best rate by 13 points.

Dominant throughout the season, Bellinger pocketed at least 10 saves in 16 of his appearances, including a record-setting 26 stops during a 12-9 win over No. 6 Salisbury on April 18. He also notched 20 saves in back-to-back battles against No. 14 Amherst on March 21 and Stockton on March 28. For those efforts, he was recognized as the USA Lacrosse National Player of the Week on March 24 and April 22.

Honored as the Coastal Lacrosse Conference Defensive Player of the Year, Bellinger also had nine caused turnovers and 58 ground balls during the spring. Flashing his skill set, the fourth-year phenom chipped in with three points as well, including a goal in the win over No. 6 Salisbury and an assist during the NCAA Quarterfinals against No. 12 Wesleyan on May 16.

An imposing presence on the back line, Kelley established himself as one of the top defensive standouts in the country. During his junior campaign, he posted 52 caused turnovers, which led the Coastal Lacrosse Conference and ranked ninth in the nation. It was also the fifth-highest total by a Captain in school history. Meanwhile, his 84 ground balls were the most by a defensemen and the 11th-highest total by any player in program lore.

Among his efforts during the spring, Kelley had at least one takeaway in 21 of his 22 appearances. He had multiple strips in 16 outings, including the final eight games of the year. That run included five caused turnovers in the Coastal Lacrosse Conference Championship against No. 5 Salisbury on May 3. Meanwhile, on the other end, he chipped in with six goals during the season, which marked the most by a long pole in program history.

Confirming his place among the top playmakers in the NCAA, Kevin Miller followed up his record-setting sophomore season with an equally impressive junior campaign. During the spring, he handed out 78 assists, which marked the 15th-highest total in the history of collegiate lacrosse. Coupled with his 81-assist masterpiece in 2025, he became only the fourth player in Division III history to lead the country in assists in back-to-back seasons.

During the spring, Miller dished out at least one helper in all 22 games, including two or more on 20 occasions. He opened the season with at least three assists in 10 straight contests, marking the longest run by a Captain in program history. Equally effective as a finisher, he established a new career-high with 35 goals. In the end, his 113 points ranked seventh in the NCAA and fell just two shy of matching his own school record set 12 months ago.

One of the greatest goal-scorers in NCAA history, Smith continued to pick apart opposing defenses during a lethal senior season. Remarkably consistent, he matched his own school record while leading the country with 84 goals. That also equaled the 20th-highest total in collegiate lacrosse history. Meanwhile, he became only the third Division III standout to lead the nation in goals in back-to-back seasons after also depositing 84 strikes last spring.

During the 2026 campaign, Smith scored at least once in all 22 games while producing 19 multi-goal efforts and 16 hat-tricks. Among his eruptions, he had seven strikes in the opener against Elizabethtown on January 30 before matching that effort against Ohio Northern on March 8. Just as dangerous against nationally-ranked competition, he posted seven points in battles with No. 17 Stevenson on February 21 and No. 4 Lynchburg on March 13.

Starring from his perch on the back line, Davison put together another award-winning season during his junior campaign. Starting all 22 games on the defensive unit, he collected 34 caused turnovers, which ranked fourth in the Coastal Lacrosse Conference and equaled the 11th-most in school history. He recorded at least one takeaway in 19 of his appearances, including a season-high five strips during the win over No. 6 Salisbury on April 18.

Bursting onto the scene with a dynamite debut campaign, Ryan Miller established new freshman records with 82 points and 39 assists. His 39 helpers also equaled the sixth-most by any player in program history and ranked third among all freshmen in the NCAA in 2026. Honored as the Coastal Lacrosse Conference Rookie of the Year, he also chipped in with 43 goals and notched at least one point in 21 of his 22 appearances during the season.

One of the top offensive midfielders in the NCAA, Platner added another chapter to his storybook career. The second-year star ranked fourth on the team - and first among midfielders - with 26 goals, 11 assists, and 37 total points. Among his highlights during the spring, he posted multiple points in 12 of his appearances, including a three-goal, three-assist masterclass against No. 13 Washington and Lee in the third round of the NCAA Tournament on May 10.

Solidifying his spot as one of the most accomplished long-stick midfielders in program history, Rosacker punctuated his career with an All-American campaign. During his senior season, he had 23 caused turnovers and notched at least one in 16 of his 22 outings. He also hauled in 38 ground balls, including seven against No. 13 Washington and Lee in the postseason on May 10. Overall, he finished his tenure ranked fourth in school history with 102 career takeaways.

A centerpiece on Christopher Newport's defensive midfield unit, Siaton remained one of the country's leading short-stick specialists during his senior campaign. Frustrating the opposition, he caused 14 turnovers and hauled in 40 ground balls. Just as effective in transition, he helped CNU rank fifth in the NCAA with a .904 clearing percentage. Meanwhile, on the offensive side, he collected seven points while tying his career-high with six assists.

In the end, the nine All-Americans helped guide Christopher Newport back to the NCAA Quarterfinals for the sixth straight season while compiling an 18-4 record.

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