DURHAM, N.C. -- Adding another honor to an ever-growing list of accolades, Christopher Newport standout Mason Bellinger was named the IMLCA National Defensive Player of the Year, which was announced by the Intercollegiate Men's Lacrosse Coaches Association on Saturday morning.

Bellinger became the first Captain in school history to earn the prestigious honor. He was previously celebrated as the Region 3 and Coastal Lacrosse Conference Defensive Player of the Year. Earlier in the spring, the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association named him the National Goalie of the Year as well.

In addition to his individual honors, Bellinger also became the third unanimous first-team All-American in school history after receiving top citations from the IMLCA and USILA as well as USA Lacrosse Magazine. He was a first-team All-Conference and All-Region selection as well.

Solidifying his spot as the top goalie in the nation during the 2026 campaign, Bellinger polished off his career with one of the finest seasons in Christopher Newport athletics history. During the spring, he established a new school record with 286 saves. That also marked the third-highest total in the NCAA. Meanwhile, his .593 save percentage also set a new program standard.

Dominant throughout the season, the Paramus, New Jersey native had at least 10 saves in 16 of his 22 appearances. His finest performance came during a 12-9 victory over No. 6 Salisbury on April 18. Against the Sea Gulls, he broke the single-game school record with 26 saves. His 14 stops after halftime also marked the most in a second half in program history.

Along with his record-setting appearance against Salisbury, Bellinger also snatched 20 saves in back-to-back victories over No. 14 Amherst on March 21 and Stockton on March 28. Playing just 48 minutes in the latter contest against the Ospreys, he became the first goalie to register at least 20 stops while playing fewer than 50 minutes.

Filling up the stat sheet throughout the year, Bellinger also contributed 18 saves during a showdown with No. 1 Tufts on March 14 and posted double-digit totals in six straight appearances from February 7-28. Later, in the postseason, he turned away 16 shots in the Coastal Lacrosse Conference Championship against No. 5 Salisbury on May 3 before kicking off the NCAA Tournament with 15 stops against Pfeiffer on May 9.

While leading the Captains to the NCAA Quarterfinals, he eventually pocketed 32 total saves during the national playoffs, including 12 in a third-round triumph over No. 13 Washington and Lee on May 10. He capped off his showcase against the Generals with a remarkable double-save on back-to-back shots during the waning moments of regulation to ice the victory.

Rounding out his defensive efforts during the year, Bellinger also added nine caused turnovers and 58 ground balls, which marked the second-highest total by a goalie in program history. Among his finest single-game performances, he had three takeaways in the opener against Elizabethtown on January 30. That equaled the most by a goalie in school lore. Additionally, his seven ground balls against No. 17 Stevenson on February 21 were the second-most by a CNU goalie.

On the other end of the field, Bellinger chipped in with three points during the season. He scored the game-tying goal on a coast-to-coast clear in the victory over No. 6 Salisbury on April 18. Meanwhile, he added assists against Roanoke on April 8 and No. 12 Wesleyan in the NCAA Quarterfinals on May 16.

For his work during the year, Bellinger was named the USA Lacrosse National Player of the Week on March 24 and April 22. He also earned a spot on the USILA National Team of the Week on April 1 and April 22.

Along with his national honors, the fourth-year phenom was named the Coastal Lacrosse Conference Defensive Player of the Week on February 9, February 23, March 23, March 30, and April 20. His five league awards marked the most in a single season in school history.

Fittingly, Bellinger accomplished all of that after entering the year in the spotlight. Prior to the start of the 2026 campaign, he was named the Preseason National Goalie of the Year by USA Lacrosse Magazine and Inside Lacrosse. Certainly, he lived up to that billing with one of the most incredible campaigns in school history.

In the end, Bellinger concluded his career ranked first in program lore with a .574 save percentage. He also wrapped up his All-American tenure slotted third with 35 victories and fourth with 544 total saves.

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