Lax Squad Scrimmages Navy in Va. Beach

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Virginia and Navy, two titans of college lacrosse, face off in an exhibition contest Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex in Virginia Beach, Va.

All proceeds from the contest will go to the Semper Fi Fund, a charity dedicated to helping injured Marines and their families. Tickets are $8 for adults; $5 for military and students.

“We are very excited to be going back to Virginia Beach for this fall scrimmage with Navy,” said Virginia head coach Dom Starsia. “The Virginia Beach Sportsplex is a great facility, Chris Kelly and the local organizing committee are always very gracious. We have had terrific crowds in the past and the event has been fortunate to have raised some significant funds for some very worthy causes.

“Navy will certainly have another outstanding team and this fall scrimmage will be a severe, spirited test for our team. We are all looking forward to it and the event should be a treat for all lacrosse fans in the surrounding area.”

Virginia finished with a 12-4 mark last season and won the national championship two years ago. The Cavaliers enter this contest with a number of young players looking for their first collegiate experience. The freshman class was rated the best in the nation by Inside Lacrosse.

Navy finished with an 11-4 record last season and ranked seventh in the nation. The Midshipmen made the NCAA playoffs for the fourth year in a row, a streak started by their run to the championship game in 2004. This fall ball event promises to be a good chance for fans to see some new faces after Navy lost five off last season’s squad.

Both teams have local talent on their rosters. Cape Henry Collegiate alumni Ryan Kelly and Mike Timms enter their fourth season on the Cavalier squad, while Norfolk Academy graduate Brian Striffler is a freshman midfielder at Navy.