(From the Christopher Newport Uniersity Sports Information Office)
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Rewriting the record books with one of the finest single-game performances in school history, Kevin Miller established new program standards for points and assists while leading the fifth-ranked Christopher Newport men's lacrosse team to a 24-8 victory over Hampden-Sydney in the season opener on a soggy Saturday evening at Jennings Family Stadium.
Kicking off his sophomore campaign with a remarkable effort, Miller collected 13 points after notching five goals and eight assists. His 13 points topped the previous record of 11, which was set by current teammate Brett Jackson against Catholic on March 4, 2023. Meanwhile, his eight assists eclipsed the old standard of seven, which was established by John Thompson against FDU-Florham on March 11, 2013 and matched by Coby Auslander in the same game in which Jackson set the points record.
Along with Miller, Jamie Smith erupted for eight goals, which equaled the third-highest total in program history. Meanwhile, Jackson also had six points, including four strikes, to round out the high-volume scorers.
While the offense was lighting up the Tigers, the defense was equally impressive. Making his first career start, sophomore Brett Kelley forced six turnovers, which tied the seventh-most by a Captain. Fellow defensemen Colin DeGrassi and Mark Davison also had two strips apiece, while AJ Rosacker added a pair of takeaways from his perch as a long-stick midfielder.
Christopher Newport also controlled possession throughout the contest, winning 26 of the 36 faceoffs. Three-time All-American Warner Cabaniss went 16-for-23 at the dot, while Grant Giunchi was 7-for-8. The two faceoff specialists also combined for 11 total ground balls.
On the back end, Mason Bellinger recorded his first career victory after finishing the contest with five saves in 48 minutes of action.
From the very beginning, Miller made his presence felt as the Preseason All-American scored the squad's first three goals. After dunking a pair along the right post, he completed his hat-trick by barreling through a defender who attempted to tie him up in the right corner. Eventually, he dipped underneath, ran right through the stick-check, and completed the play with a fake-and-finish along the crease.
After flashing his finishing skills, Miller came back with an assist on Smith's first goal. Moments later, in the 10th minute, Smith added a highlight-reel tally. Putting a defender in a blender, he spun through traffic in the right corner before bouncing a shot off a second defender that pin-balled into the cage for a 5-1 advantage.
Less than a minute later, after a clean faceoff win by Cabaniss, Jackson joined the party. Dodging a defender in the right wing, he sent the Tiger spinning to the turf before snapping off a sidewinder in the center of the zone for his first strike.
Continuing the onslaught in the 13th minute, Jackson Platner faked a pass to his right before splitting a pair of defenders with a dime down low to Smith. Polishing off his own first-quarter hat-trick, the third-year star sank a turnaround tracer to snatch a 7-1 edge.
With seconds remaining on the clock, the Captains came back for more. On a clear attempt, a Tiger attempted a swim move to slip past Kelley, but the sophomore ate up the play with a gorgeous stick-lift near midfield. Eventually, Miller snatched the loose ball and kick-started a fast-break.
Looking to beat the horn, he cut around a defender and found Smith streaking towards the cage for the squad's eighth goal of the opening period.
Although the visitors found a little rhythm in the second quarter and scored four goals during the stanza, Christopher Newport had an answer each time. Jackson unloaded a high-rising rocket just inside the left post before Ethan Slusher put a little English on a missile that bounced through the wickets of the HSC keeper for his first goal of the year. Later, Miller found Platner crashing down the center of the zone during a man-up situation before adding his fourth goal after spinning around the right pipe.
Then, in the final minutes of the first half, Christopher Newport's last goal of the period was set-up by another tremendous effort on the defensive end.
On a clear attempt, Miller stayed in the face of Hampden-Sydney's goalie to prevent a clean look from the crease. Eventually, the keeper lofted a rainbow towards midfield, but Gabe Montognese intercepted the feed and shoveled a pass to Jackson, who sniped a one-timer from the wing for a 13-5 lead.
After the break, Christopher Newport set the tone on the defensive end. Rosacker punched a ball loose along the left sideline while running stride-for-stride with a Tiger on a clear. Later, Ryan Almassian de-twigged a midfielder with a huge check in the center of the turf, while Davison helped win possession of a Hail Mary heave down the right boundary.
Meanwhile, the attack never lost its footing. Fred Fulkerson found a one-on-one, split to his right, and absorbed a bruising hit while sinking his first strike of the contest. Minutes later, Miller showed fantastic vision as he was swarmed by three defenders along the right pipe. Trying to sidestep through traffic, he eventually gained a little space before spinning the ball across the crease to Smith, who slammed home another bullet along the left post.
Continuing to attack, Daniel Siaton absolutely stripped a Tiger on the defensive side, burst up the left sideline, and lofted a feed towards the center of the zone. Incredibly, the ball deflected off a stick before bouncing up to Miller, who snatched the roller and sank his final goal of the contest.
After landing his fifth strike, Miller went back to work setting up his teammates. At the end of the third period, he connected with Jackson and Smith on back-to-back darts, which helped the hosts steal an 18-6 lead entering the final 15 minutes of regulation.
Coming into the fourth quarter with 11 points, Miller quickly broke the single-game standard less than a minute into the new period. Fittingly, his historic play was aided by the man whose record he broke.
In the 46th minute, Hampden-Sydney attempted to pass the ball back towards the center of the turf. Holding his position just across midfield, Jackson boxed out a Tiger from gaining control of the loose ball. Eventually, the fourth-year phenom punched the roller past two other defenders before Miller picked it up and found himself on a 2-on-1 breakaway.
With Smith flanked out towards the left wing, the sophomore fed his teammate, who quickly scored along the crease to give Miller his record-breaking 12th point of the contest.
After Fulkerson came back with his second goal, Miller added one last highlight. During a man-up situation in the 54th minute, he dished another perfect feed to Smith, who capped off the play with his eighth tally.
Marching towards the end of regulation, Jack Martinez threaded a pass into a tight window to Joey Fantinato, who escaped the pressure before connecting on his first collegiate goal. Later, Luke Solomon capitalized on a rebound in traffic before unleashing a skip pass to Ryan Cammarata, who punctuated the festivities with a rip from the right wing.
Overall, Christopher Newport held a 66-25 advantage in shots and a 47-25 lead in ground balls. Will Cramp collected five rollers and forced a turnover for the victors, while Siaton added four ground balls to go along with his assist and takeaway.
CNU will return to action next Saturday when the Captains host Adrian at 1 p.m.
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