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March 24, 2000
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia returns home after a two-game Spring Break road trip to faceseventh-ranked Johns Hopkins this afternoon at Klockner Stadium. Faceoff isset for 2:00 p.m.
After dropping their opener to Syracuse in overtime, the Cavaliers haveripped off three straight wins (all in convincing fashion) to raise theirrecord to 3-1.
Johns Hopkins has gotten off to a tough start this season with a 1-2 record.
March 25, 2000
2:00 p.m.
Klockner Stadium
Charlottesville, Va.
HTS to Televise Game
Today’s game is being televised on a tape-delay basis on HTS. Theircoverage will begin at 4:00 p.m. The game will also be replayed at 2:00a.m. Sunday morning.
Leif Elsmo is the play-by-play announcer and Mark Dixon is the colorcommentator.
The Series vs. the Blue Jays
Johns Hopkins holds a commanding 49-17-1 record in the all-time series withVirginia. The rivalry between the two schools goes all the way back to1926, the second year of the Virginia program. The teams have met at leastonce every season since 1948, the longest current series of any Virginiaopponent.
John Hopkins’ 49 wins over Virginia are by far the most wins by any schoolover the Cavaliers. Maryland is next with 38 wins over UVa.
Virginia has also played more games against Johns Hopkins than any one else(67). Again, Maryland is second with 64 games vs. the Cavaliers.
The Blue Jays have had great success in Charlottesville, winning 19 of 27match-ups on the Cavaliers’ home fields. However, Virginia has won four ofthe last five games in Charlottesville.
Today’s game features some historical patterns that could bode well for theCavaliers.
Known as a team that likes the up-tempo pace, Virginia would certainly liketo see its offense explode vs. the Blue Jays since the Cavaliers are 15-6all-time against Johns Hopkins when scoring at least 10 goals. In fact,when UVa scores more than 13 goals they have won seven of eight gamesagainst Hopkins.
UVa can be successful if it is able to contain the Hopkins offense becauseit is 10-2-1 when allowing less than 10 goals.
The Cavaliers don’t want today’s contest to be a tight one since they are3-8 in games decided by one or two goals.
Starting Lineup Settling In
Virginia’s roster this season features seven returning starters and 21other lettermen from last season to give head coach Dom Starsia and hisstaff the luxury of not having to do too much tinkering to settle on astarting 10.
Returning on attack are Drew McKnight and Conor Gill. McKnight, a senior,has been a mainstay in the lineup since his arrival in Charlottesvillethree years ago. Through four games this season, McKnight leads the team inpoints (23), goals (11) and assists (12). Gill proved himself last year bywinning the ACC Rookie of the Year Award and being named the MVP of theNCAA Tournament. Gill has yet to find his scoring touch (just five goals),but he remains dangerous in setting up his teammates for scoring chances asindicated by his eight assists.
Joining them on attack is sophomore Ian Shure. Shure missed all of lastseason due to a knee injury, but has returned to full strength with sevengoals so far this season. He is a gifted offensive player who saw limitedaction as a freshman in 1998, scoring just two goals.
Jay Jalbert returns to anchor what is a very deep midfield this season.Faceoff specialist Jason Hard and highly regarded freshman A.J. Shannonjoin Jalbert on the first unit. Fifth-year player David Bruce, a convertedattackman, and junior Hanley Holcomb (injured recently) form the nucleus ofthe second unit. Freshman Chris Rotelli rounds out this group. The thirdmidfield consists of Jamison Mullen, Will Quayle and Aaron Vercollone.
David Jenkins, Brenndan Mohler and Nick Russo also see plenty of action inthe midfield, primarily in defensive midfield roles.
Hard and David Jenkins continue to alternate as faceoff specialists, whilePeter Ragosa is the top long stick middie once again. Richard Reid alsosees considerable time at long stick middie.
All three starting defensemen from the end of last season return. RyanCurtis, the nation’s top defensemen, headlines the returnees. He is joinedin the starting trio by Mark Koontz and Court Weisleder. John Harvey is thetop sub, but freshmen Ned Bowen and David Burman figure to see actionduring the season.
Derek Kenney returns in goal after starting last season as a freshman. Hewill be backed up by local product Ben O’Neil again this season.
Defense Stiffens in Second Half
Virginia has found itself in two tight contests at halftime so far thisseason, leading once (Princeton) and trailing once (Syracuse).The Cavaliers fell behind to Syracuse 9-5 in the season opener and thenblanked the Orangemen in the third quarter. The shutout that period enabledVirginia to claw its way back into the contest, eventually knotting thescore and forcing overtime.
UVa got off to a slow start offensively (and defensively) in the Princetongame two weeks ago, falling behind 4-2 after 15 minutes of play. But UVaused an 11-2 run in the second and third periods to build a 13-6 lead atone point. Entering the fourth quarter with a 13-8 lead, the Cavalierdefense pitched a shutout in the fourth quarter and handed the Tigers theirfirst loss of the season.
Virginia held a 10-5 lead at halftime against Rutgers last week and used athird quarter shutout of the Scarlet Knights to push the lead to doubledigits.
Against Stony Brook, the shutout came in the second quarter. The Cavaliersallowed two goals in both the third and fourth quarters as head coach DomStarsia substituted liberally throughout the second half.
All told Virginia has allowed five goals in the third quarter, eight in thefourth and one in overtime for a total of 14 second half goals.The Virginia defense has allowed almost as many goals (13) in just thefirst quarter as it has in the entire second half this season.
Virginia Falls Behind Early This Season
One of Virginia’s problems early this season has been a tendency to startsluggishly. As a result the Cavaliers have found themselves behind in theearly parts of every game so far.
In the season opener against Syracuse, the Cavaliers dug themselves a firstquarter hole, falling behind 5-2 after the first 15 minutes. They foughtvaliantly to come back and tied the score in the third quarter beforetrading goals the rest of the way as the contest went into overtime. TheVirginia comeback proved not enough as the Orangemen won in overtime.
The Cavaliers again dug themselves an early hole against Princeton, givingup three goals in less than four minutes of play. But led by David Bruceand Conor Gill, who scored every goal in a five-goal run, the Cavalierserased a 4-2 deficit to take the lead for good with just under 10 minutesto go in the first half. Princeton managed to close to within 7-5 at thehalf, but the Cavaliers rattled off four quick third quarter scores tobuild a cushion for the rest of the way.
Rutgers scored first less than four minutes into last week’s game, but theCavaliers quickly answered to take a 4-2 lead. The homestanding ScarletKnights knotted the score at four early in the second quarter before theCavaliers out-scored Rutgers 6-1 to take a commanding 10-5 lead into thelocker room at halftime. UVa won 17-8.
Stony Brook scored first last Saturday before the Cavaliers rattled off 14consecutive goals en route to the win. Strangely enough, Virginia’s firstgoal came more than 10 minutes into the game and was scored by long stickmiddie Peter Ragosa.
Cavalier Run Dooms Stony Brook
Virginia wasn’t sure what to expect in last Saturday’s match-up at StonyBrook. They had an easy time with the Seawolves last year inCharlottesville, but things looked like they could be more difficult thisseason. Playing on a cold day on a very wet field, anything was possible.
The Seawolves drew first blood, scoring first less than four minutes intothe game. Upon regaining possession shortly after the faceoff, thehomestanding Seawolves proceeded to run approximately five minutes off theclock before being called for stalling. On the ensuing reset, long stickmiddie Peter Ragosa raced uncontested down the middle of the field to scorehis first goal of the season. That started a 14-goal Virginia run thateffectively put the Seawolves away.
Coach Dom Starsia substituted liberally in the second half, playing all 40healthy players who made the trip.
Virginia Shakes Off Doldrums to Down Rutgers
The sluggish starts continued for Virginia, but the Cavaliers were able toregroup in a hurry and post a 17-8 win over Rutgers 11 days ago. It was thefirst road game of the season for Virginia.
Rutgers scored first less than four minutes into the contest, but theCavaliers quickly answered to take a 4-2 lead. The homestanding ScarletKnights knotted the score at four early in the second quarter before theCavaliers turned up their offensive intensity, out-scoring Rutgers 6-1 therest of the quarter to take a commanding 10-5 lead into the locker room athalftime.
UVa then opened the third quarter with a five-goal run to push the lead to15-5.
Drew McKnight paced the attack with three goals and four assists, while IanShure added three goals. Conor Gill chipped in with a goal and two assists.
Cavaliers at Klockner Stadium
Today’s game vs. Johns Hopkins is Virginia’s third of the season atKlockner Stadium, having already played Syracuse and Princeton inCharlottesville.
Klockner Stadium has been very good to the Cavaliers since they first beganplaying games there in 1993 as their 29-6 record at Klockner attests.One of Virginia’s losses at Klockner was a 13-10 decision to Johns Hopkinsin 1998. Virginia has won the other two games at Klockner against Hopkins(1994, ’96).
McKnight Nears Membership in Exclusive Club
Drew McKnight has been a remarkably consistent scorer throughout hiscareer, scoring between 19 and 25 goals and assisting on between 20 and 24more goals.
This season McKnight’s scoring has exploded. He leads the ACC in scoring,averaging 5.75 points per game (23 points) and assists (3.00/g), whileranking second in goals scored (2.75/g).
With 11 goals so far, he is almost halfway to his career high of 25 lastyear. His 12 assists are exactly halfway to his career high set in 1998.As he continues to pile up the offensive numbers, he draws nearer tomembership in an exclusive UVa club-the 80-80 Club. This club is comprisedof players who have scored at least 80 goals and recorded at least 80assists.
The current members of this club are listed (chronologically) below.McKnight’s place on UVa’s goals, assists and points lists is listed on pagefour of this notes packet.
| Who? | Goals | Assists |
| Tom Duquette | 107 | 92 |
| Kevin Pehlke | 138 | 101 |
| Tim Whiteley | 85 | 159 |
| Doug Knight | 165 | 84 |
| Michael Watson | 142 | 98 |
Bruce Records Hat Tricks in First Two
When David Bruce decided to return for his fifth year this season he wasn’tsure what his role would be for head coach Dom Starsia. He missed all ofthe 1998 campaign due to a knee injury and played on the second attack unitlast season. With Drew McKnight, Conor Gill and Ian Shure penciled into thestarting attack this season, Bruce volunteered to move to the midfielddespite never having played there in college before, to get more time.
Whatever Bruce lacked for playing in the midfield, he makes up for withgood overall knowledge of the game. And he’s put his four years of collegeexperience to good use so far this season.
Finding himself in the right place at the right time, Bruce has capitalizedon virtually all of his scoring chances so far.
In the season opening loss to Syracuse, Bruce scored three times, with allthree scores coming from point-blank range.
Bruce’s scoring parade continued in the win over Princeton as he scoredthree times for the second game in a row. All three goals came in just overa nine-minute span in the middle of the first half and helped erase anearly deficit.
His multi-goal games continued last week against Rutgers when he found theback of the nets twice.
He is second on the team behind Drew McKnight with nine goals.With the nine goals, Bruce is setting his sights on setting a career high.He scored a career high 11 goals in 1997. He has already topped lastseason’s total of six.
Not What You’d Expect
Head coach Dom Starsia and his coaching staff were no doubt looking tomidfielders Jay Jalbert and Hanley Holcomb to be the Cavaliers’ big guns inthe offensive zone this season. But so far, the Cavaliers have gotten mostof their offense from some unlikely sources.
Although a proven offensive player, Drew McKnight has almost surelysurpassed what was expected of him. He has found the back of the net 11times already and is almost half way to his career high of 25 goalsestablished last year. At his current pace of 2.75 goals per game, he wouldeasily surpass that total.
Fifth-year midfielder/attackman David Bruce has been a reserve throughouthis career, never scoring more than 11 goals in a season. He moved to themidfield for his final season and the move has paid off. Using theknowledge gained over the previous four years, Bruce has tallied nine goalsthis season and is sure to eclipse his career high. Bruce has madeopponents pay in 2000 with good positioning around the crease that hasenabled him to score all of his goals from in close.
Ian Shure missed all of last season due to a knee injury and saw limitedaction as a freshman two years ago. But playing at full strength, Shure hascontributed seven goals so far (on just 16 shots).
A.J. Shannon, a highly regarded freshman from Canada, leads UVa’s rookieswtih six goals while running with the first midfield. He has scored twicethree times-Syracuse, Rutgers and Stony Brook.
Faceoff specialist Jason Hard has been more involved on offense this seasonthan in the past and has scored four goals. He is nearing his career highof five goals set as a freshman in 1997.
Jalbert has gotten off to a typical (for him at least) slow start, scoringseven goals, tied for third on the team. He had his best game this seasonlast Saturday against Stony Brook with four goals.
Holcomb has had a particularly tough time this season. He has scored justonce (Princeton) and missed on all 10 shots he took in the opener againstSyracuse. Compounding his offensive woes, Holcomb has missed the last twogames due to a leg injury, but is expected to return to action today.No doubt a potent offense will become even more so once Jalbert and Holcombget untracked.
Eleven Cavaliers Earn Preseason Recognition
Virginia’s roster this season features 11 players who have been named tovarious preseason All-America squads.
Defenseman Ryan Curtis, last season’s Schmeisser Cup winner as the nation’stop defenseman, returns to anchor the Cavalier defense. Lacrosse magazinelisted him as its Player of the Year and one of five “Players to Watch”this spring. Curtis has also been named to preseason All-America teams byFace-off, Inside Lacrosse, College Lacrosse USA and the Baltimore Sun.
Joining Curtis as a Lacrosse magazine “Player to Watch” is midfield JayJalbert, winner of the 1999 McLaughlin Award as the nation’s outstandingmidfielder. And like Curtis, Jalbert has cited by Face-off, InsideLacrosse, College Lacrosse USA and the Baltimore Sun as a preseasonAll-America.
Two of UVa’s starting attackmen-senior Drew McKnight and sophomore ConorGill-have been selected preseason All-Americans. McKnight, the Cavaliers’leading active scorer (77g, 78a), was also named one of nine”Sharpshooters” by Inside Lacrosse magazine. Gill, the ACC Rookie of theYear and MVP of the NCAA Tournament a year ago, will be looked upon toquarterback the attack again this season.
Junior Hanley Holcomb joins Jalbert in the midfield to give head coach DomStarsia two preseason All-Americans on the first unit. Holcomb, whopossesses one of the hardest shots in the nation, found the back of the net27 times last season.
Long stick middie Peter Ragosa, one of the nation’s most underratedplayers, has been cited by Inside Lacrosse, College Lacrosse USA andFace-off for preseason recognition.
The Virginia face-off duo of Jason Hard and David Jenkins were bothrecognized for their face-off ability by the preseason pickers. Both werealso among 11 of the nation’s top face-off specialists selected by InsideLacrosse.
Defensively, junior John Harvey and sophomore Mark Koontz were named to thepreseason squad presented by Inside Lacrosse. Koontz was also named toFace-off’s preseason squad.
Goalie Derek Kenney, who last year became the first freshman to start ingoal for the Cavaliers in 20 years, has also been named to severalpreseason All-America squads.
Avoiding the “Sophomore Slump”
Attackman Conor Gill came to UVa with the reputation as being a giftedoffensive player and he lived up to his billing as UVa captured lastseason’s national title.
For the season he finished with 22 goals and 30 assists for a total of 52points and was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Rookie of the Year.
Saving his best for the biggest stage in the college game, Gill turned theNCAA Tournament in College Park, Md., into his own personal show. He scoredfive goals in the first quarter to lead the Cavaliers to a 16-11 win overJohns Hopkins in the semifinals. He then scored UVa’s 11th goal andassisted on the 12th in the national championship game vs. Syracuse as UVagained a 12-10 win. For his play he was named the MVP of the title game andto the NCAA All-Tournament squad.
Given all that he did last year, one accomplishment he will certainly lookto keep off his resume is the dreaded “sophomore slump.”
That looks to be a difficult task considering his 30 assists tied Army’sTim Pearson for the national lead among rookies, while he tied for third inpoints (52) by a freshman last season. He also finished fourth among thenation’s rookies in scoring, averaging 3.25 points per game, and eighthwith 22 goals.
Gill registered just one goal against Syracuse in the first game of thisseason, but broke out with a big performance last Saturday againstPrinceton with two goals and four assists. His play in the win overPrinceton earned him ACC Player of the Week honors.
He scored once and recorded two assists in each game last week (Rutgers andStony Brook).
Gill is second on the team this season with 13 points (5g, 8a).
Shure Returns With Big Game
Given his limited experience, red-shirt sophomore Ian Shure can almost beconsidered a freshman this season. He played sparingly two years ago as atrue freshman, appearing in just six games and scoring two goals. Then hemissed all of last season due to a severe knee injury that requiredsurgery.
But he has worked hard to return to action and his efforts seem to havepaid off.
He scored twice in the opener against Syracuse to equal his goal total ofhis freshman season two years ago.
Shure posted the first hat trick of his career with his three-goal effortvs. Rutgers last week, including the goal that proved to be the game-winnerfor UVa.
He is tied for third on the team with seven goals so far this season. Hehas also added one assist.
Shure has also shown a knack for being around the ball as his 15 groundballs lead UVa’s attackmen.
Five Seniors Named Co-captains
Five members of Virginia’s senior class this season have been namedcaptains for the 2000 season-Ryan Curtis, Jason Hard, Jay Jalbert, DrewMcKnight and Peter Ragosa.
Curtis and Jalbert were recipients of prestigious national awards lastseason for their play as the Cavaliers won the national title. Curtis wonthe Schmeisser Cup as the nation’s top defenseman, while Jalbert wasawarded the McLaughlin Award as the nation’s outstanding midfielder.
Hard teams with David Jenkins to give Virginia the top face-off unit in thecountry. Hard finished sixth in the nation in face-off winning percentage.
This is the second year in a row McKnight has served as a team captain. Oneof the more overlooked members of the nation’s most potent offense,McKnight is poised to break into the top 10 in career scoring at Virginia.He currently is 11th in school history with 155 points (77g, 78a) and needsjust five points to crack the top 10.
Ragosa, considered by many as the nation’s top long stick middie, hashelped spearhead Virginia’s defensive efforts throughout his career. He wastied for 46th in the nation a year ago in ground balls, averaging 4.4 pergame (70 in 16 games).
Jalbert Looks to Overcome Slow Starts
Senior midfielder Jay Jalbert has been UVa’s offensive MVP in each of thelast two years. But a curious thing happened to the way to winning the teamaward. He got off to very slow starts in 1998 and 1999. And after just fourgames this season it looks like the trend might continue.
Two years ago, playing on the attack, Jalbert scored 11 goals in theseason’s first six games as the Cavaliers got off to a 3-3 start. He scoreda career-high five goals in a win over North Carolina in the seventh gameto start a stretch in which he scored 23 goals in the season’s final sevengames. Virginia was 6-1 during that span.
Last season he moved back to the midfield and seemed to take some timegetting into the flow of the offense. Through the first seven games of theseason he had just six goals, including none against Princeton, JohnsHopkins and Maryland.
Once again it was North Carolina that got him going. His three goals in atight game against the Tar Heels began a stretch that saw him find the backof the net 25 times in nine games. During the span he tallied four timesagainst Stony Brook, Butler and Delaware in the quarterfinals of the NCAATournament.
In a promising sign for head coach Dom Starsia, Jalbert scored aseason-high four times last Saturday against Stony Brook. Perhaps it wasthe familiar air of Long Island that got him going since Jalbert grew upabout 20 minutes away from the Stony Brook campus.
So far this season, Jalbert has been more of a playmaker than a scorer. Hehas scored just three times, while assisting on three other scores.To show just how important Jalbert is to the Cavaliers’ success on offense,UVa is 8-6 since 1998 when he scores none or one goal and 10 of those gameshave come in the first half of the season.