DURHAM, N.C. -- Mason Bellinger was recognized as the IMLCA Region 3 Defensive Player of the Year, while six other members of the Christopher Newport men's lacrosse program also secured All-Region accolades, which were voted on by the Intercollegiate Men's Lacrosse Coaches Association.

Bellinger became the first Captain in school history to earn the region's top defensive honor. Along with his individual award, the senior goalkeeper also received first-team nods for the second straight season.

In addition to Bellinger, Kevin Miller and AJ Rosacker also picked up first-team citations, while Brett Kelley, Jackson Platner, and Jamie Smith were second-team honorees. Rounding out the group, Mark Davison was celebrated as an honorable mention selection.

With their awards, Bellinger and Miller joined former legends Alex Brendes, Warner Cabaniss, Andrew Cook, and Ryan Young as the only back-to-back first-team recipients in school history. Davison also earned All-Region recognition for the second straight season, while the other four Captains were honored for the first time.

Overall, the seven total selections equaled the second-most in program history, trailing only the 2022 squad, which produced nine All-Region performers.

Honored as the USILA National Goalie of the Year, Bellinger orchestrated one of the finest campaigns in CNU athletics history. A consensus first-team All-American, the senior star established a new program record with 286 saves, which also marked the third-highest total in the NCAA. His .593 save percentage also set a new single-season school standard, while his 18 victories equaled the second-most by a Captain.

During the year, Bellinger secured 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 chipped in with 20 saves in back-to-back outings against No. 14 Amherst on March 21 and Stockton on March 28. For those performances, he was named the USA Lacrosse National Player of the Week on March 24 and April 22.

In addition to his work in the crease, Bellinger also had nine caused turnovers and collected 58 ground balls, which marked the second-highest total by a goalie in CNU history. The Coastal Lacrosse Conference Defensive Player of the Year also pitched in with three points, including a goal in the win over No. 6 Salisbury and an assist in the NCAA Quarterfinals against No. 12 Wesleyan on May 16.

Orchestrating another All-American season as a centerpiece on the defensive unit, Davison started all 22 games on the back line while ranking fourth in the Coastal Lacrosse Conference with 34 caused turnovers. That also equaled the 11th-highest total in program history. Suffocating the competition, he had at least one takeaway in 19 of his appearances, including five strips during the win over No. 6 Salisbury on April 18.

Solidifying his spot among the top defensemen in the nation, Kelley ranked ninth in the NCAA with 52 caused turnovers during a standout junior season. That also led the Coastal Lacrosse Conference and was the fifth-most by a Captain in program history. Meanwhile, his 84 ground balls were the most by a defenseman in school lore, while his six goals marked the highest total by a long pole in Christopher Newport history.

Carving up the opposition, Miller led the NCAA in assists for the second straight season after handing out 78 helpers during the spring. That marked the 15th-most by any player in collegiate lacrosse history. Consistently effective, he had at least one assist in all 22 games and notched two or more on 20 occasions. In addition to his work as a facilitator, he also established a new career-high with 35 goals while finishing with 113 total points.

A mainstay on the midfield unit, Platner has earned All-American honors during each of his first two seasons in Newport News. During his sophomore campaign, the second-year star ranked fourth on the team - and first among midfielders - with 26 goals, 11 assists, and 37 total points. Among his nine multi-goal efforts during the year, he had three hat-tricks, including a six-point explosion against No. 13 Washington and Lee in the NCAA Tournament on May 10.

One of the most accomplished long-stick midfielders in program history, Rosacker capped off his career as an All-Conference, All-Region, and All-American selection. During his final campaign, he caused 23 turnovers while notching at least one in 16 of his 22 appearances, including three strips in the league championship against No. 5 Salisbury on May 3. In the end, he finished his tenure ranked fourth in school history with 102 career takeaways.

Leading the NCAA in goals for the second straight season, Smith established himself as one of the finest scorers in collegiate lacrosse history. During his senior year, he equaled his own school record with 84 goals. Along the way, he scored in all 22 games while collecting 19 multi-goal efforts and 16 hat-tricks. Among his work, he had a pair of seven-goal eruptions against Elizabethtown on January 30 and Ohio Northern on March 8.

Led by the seven All-Region selections, Christopher Newport advanced to the NCAA Quarterfinals for the sixth straight season while finishing 2026 with an 18-4 record.

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