NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- The Grove City College men's lacrosse team dropped a 21-9 decision Wednesday afternoon at fourth-ranked Christopher Newport in non-conference action at Jennings Stadium. 

Grove City (2-2) trimmed CNU's lead to 5-4 with 6:13 left in the first half as senior midfielder Michael La Forte (Waterford, Conn./Waterford) scored off an assist from senior midfielder Brett Gladstone (Marriottsville, Md./Marriotts Ridge).

However, Christopher Newport scored the final three goals of the half to take an 8-4 lead. The Captains then broke open the game in the third quarter by outscoring Grove City, 9-0.

Gladstone and junior attack James Petrolle (Damascus, Md./Damascus) both scored twice for Grove City. Freshman attack Matt Blythe (Mendon, N.Y./Honeoye Falls-Lima), freshman attack Zachary Hougan (Springboro, Ohio/Springboro), junior midfielder David Kraus (Sewickley, Pa./Quaker Valley) and senior midfielder Jed Speers (Medina, Ohio/Medina) also scored for Grove City.

Blythe, Gladstone, Hougan, La Forte and sophomore midfielder Jack Atwood (Hudson, Ohio/Cuyahoga Valley Christian) all registered assists.

Senior Grant Evans (Pittsburgh, Pa./Upper Saint Clair) won 13 of 25 faceoffs. He also led Grove City with 11 ground balls. Sophomore goalie Danny Stone (Chantilly, Va./Flint Hill) recorded seven ground balls while Kraus and junior goalie Jack Petit (Pensacola, Fla./West Florida High School of Advanced Technology) each chalked up four ground balls.

Junior defender Brock Simmons (Akron, Ohio/Cuyahoga Valley Christian) caused a career-high six turnovers. Blythe caused two turnovers. Stone stopped 15 shots in 39 minutes of actions. Petit made six saves over the final 21 minutes of play.

Christopher Newport held a 60-25 edge in total shots and a 42-16 advantage in shots on goal. Grove City committed 32 turnovers while CNU had 17 turnovers. 

Grove City will face Coast Guard at 1 p.m. Saturday in Baltimore.