NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — The Catholic University men's lacrosse team fell to nationally-ranked Christopher Newport on the Captain's home turf on Saturday afternoon.

Seven different Cardinals scored but it was not enough to overcome the offensive firepower that No. 2 Christopher Newport provided as the Captains put 41 total shots on cage.

Despite senior goalkeeper Nic Pezone's best efforts, the Captains were able to put 22 past the Cardinals. This marks the third time in Catholic's five games this season that they have conceded 22 or more goals. Pezone did his best to keep the Captains at bay, making 17 saves for the second-straight contest.

It was the same old story for the Cardinals as they got out to the ideal start before a big run saw them facing a massive uphill battle.

Catholic pushed out to an early 2-0 advantage in less than two-and-a-half minutes thanks to a pair of unassisted goals from Ryan Carroll and Connor Pierce. The Captains then responded by dominating the remainder of the quarter, rattling off seven-straight strikes. Catholic has now possessed a first-quarter lead in all four of its losses this year.

Christopher Newport carried the momentum into the second quarter, again scoring seven but this time holding the Cardinals scoreless to lead 14-2 at the halftime interval.

The third quarter had been a difficult stanza for the Cardinals thus far this season but they responded well today, winning the frame 6-4. Fitz McLaughlin found the net twice while Brady McMahon, Cooper DiCicco, Mike Mulligan and Luke Geraghty all added one apiece for Catholic in the third stanza.

Ryan Macksoud had a strong day at the face-off X, winning seven of his 10 draws while sophomore Mason Russo played extremely well on defense, scooping up three ground balls and causing a team-best three turnovers.

Jack Micco, DiCicco and Pezone led the Cardinals with four ground balls apiece.

Jon Sax's men will look to respond next time out against Hampden-Sydney. The Cardinals will look to avenge a one-goal loss when the teams met last year at Audi Field. Catholic is scheduled to travel to the Tigers in a week's time with opening face-off set for 2 p.m.