USILA Coaches Poll
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Jumping eight spots in the USILA National Coaches Poll, the Christopher Newport men's lacrosse program was slotted third in the most recent rankings, which were announced on Monday afternoon by the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association.
After improving to 6-0 with a pair of wins last week, the Captains climbed into the top-10 for the first time in program history. Overall, the squad received 347 points in the poll, which slotted Christopher Newport just behind top-ranked RIT and Tufts. Meanwhile, Salisbury and Lynchburg rounded out the top-five.
Overall, the Captains have now been ranked in the top-25 nationally in each of the past 12 polls dating back to 2020. Meanwhile, the program has been ranked or received votes in 38 of the past 40 USILA rankings since the start of the 2018 campaign.
So far this season, Christopher Newport stands among the national leaders in a variety of statistical categories. Showcasing their work on both sides of the ball, the Captains are fifth in the NCAA in assists, ninth in ground balls, and 19th in scoring offense. The squad has also limited its opposition to just 7.17 goals per contest, which ranks 21st in the country and 10th among programs that have played at least three games this season.
Making their success even more impressive, the Captains have faced a tough gauntlet of top-flight competition in the early going. In addition to a victory over Lynchburg on Saturday, Christopher Newport has also defeated Hampden-Sydney and Southern Virginia, who are both receiving votes in the most recent rankings.
Continuing to test themselves against the top programs in the nation, the Captains face an upcoming slate that includes games against No. 4 Salisbury and No. 5 Lynchburg as well as three programs that are currently receiving votes. Colorado College, Washington & Lee, and Southern Virginia all sit just outside of the top-25.
Christopher Newport will be back in action on Friday at 7 p.m. when the squad takes on fifth-ranked Lynchburg in a rematch of last Saturday's 10-9 overtime victory.
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