Tiffany Welcomes the 2019 Recruiting Class
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.– Virginia men’s lacrosse head coach Lars Tiffany welcomes the Virginia men’s lacrosse class of 2023 this fall with 10 talented first-year student athletes.
“The academic strength of this recruiting class bodes well for their pursuit of an enriching experience here on Grounds,” said Tiffany. “They have proven themselves to be prepared for the challenges faced at an elite institution and I am excited to witness each man’s educational growth. Having represented their high school and club lacrosse programs with exceptional play and intense competitive spirit, they all possess the potential to be impact athletes in the spring.”
Joining the Cavaliers this fall are Michael Bienkowski (Islip, N.Y.), Scott Bower (Glendora, Texas), Drew Brennfleck (Mountain Lakes, N.J.), Will Cory (Charlottesville, Va.), Peter Garno (Haverford, Pa.), Jake Giulieri (Potomac, Md.), Quentin Matsui (Eden Prairie, Minn.), Daniel Parker (Mount Sinai, N.Y.), Gavin Tygh (Malvern, Pa.) and Conner Shellenberger (Charlottesville, Va.).
Michael Bienkowski #42
Midfield
6-0, 178
Islip, N.Y. • Islip High School
HS Lacrosse Coach: Keith Scheidel
Secondary School Background
Lacrosse: Two-time captain … honorable mention All-American … two-time all-county … three-time all-league … four-time NYPHSAA Scholar-Athlete … BSN Sports State Championship MVP … 2018 Dellacave Award nominee … first-team All-Long Island … Suffolk County Player of the Year … first-team all-state in 2018 … third-team all-state in 2017 … 2017 honorable mention All-Long Island … 2016 Unsung Hero at Islip High School … in 2018 was third-team All-USA … Gatorade Player of the Year nominee … helped lead Islip to the 2018 Suffolk County and Long Island championships … also helped lead Islip to the 2018 state championship. Track and Field: Joined junior year. 2x All-League 300m event, 2017 All-League 2018 League Champs 4x200m Relay Team, 300m event record holder Islip High School (Broke own record 3 times), LI Elite Meet Invitee (All-Long Island Meet), 2018 Top 10 time in 300m event on LI, medal earned at Armory national meet, 2018 Team Captain, 2x Sprinter MVP, 2018 Overall Team MVP. Cross Country: Four-Year top seven team … four-time league meet qualifier … three-time state meet qualifier. Overall: 10 letters.
Parents: Erin and Ted Bienkowski
Why Virginia?: “The University of Virginia is the best fit for me academically, athletically and socially. The Grounds, academics, coaches, lacrosse team and total atmosphere of the University is the perfect fit for me.”
Scott Bower #25
Defense
6-3 • 200
Glendora, Texas • Episcopal School of Dallas
HS Lacrosse Coach: Jay Sothoron and Pat Kennedy
Secondary School Background
Lacrosse: Under Armour All-American … four-year starter on defense … 2019 Adrenaline All-American … 2019 USL All-American … three-time all-state … helped lead Episcopal School of Dallas to the 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 Southwest Preparatory Conference championships, capped by a 2019 Texas state title … team captain as a senior. Football: Led the state of Texas in sacks (every division) with 20.5 in nine games as senior … defensive team MVP … ranked No. 17 in the nation with 20.5 sacks, which is also a school record he broke in four games … named to the All-Southwest Preparatory Conference in 2017 and 2018. Individual: Episcopal Male Athlete of the Year for 2018-19 … Episcopal Freshman Male Athlete of the Year for 2015-16 … holds school power clean record. Overall: Eight letters.
Parents: Katherine and Rick Bower
Why Virginia?: “Virginia is one of the best universities for a student-athlete. With tremendous academics and athletics resources, UVA gives me the best opportunity to succeed as well as making me feel at home.”
Drew Brennfleck #20
Midfield
6-0, 180
Mountain Lakes, N.J. • Mountain Lakes High School
HS Lacrosse Coach: Tim Flynn
Secondary School Background
Lacrosse: Three-year starter on midfield … US Lacrosse All-American… Under Armour Underclass All-American-New Jersey … captain as a senior … earned all-state, all-conference (New Jersey Athletic Conference) and all-division (Gibbs) honors in 2019 … two-time New Jersey State Champion (2018 and 2019) … New Jersey Tournament of Champions winner (2019) … Mountain Lakes finished 2019 ranked No. 9 in the nation … Richard Sabia Award recipient which is given to Laker lacrosse player who best exemplifies enthusiasm and loyalty to the team. Football: Three-year starter at cornerback, kicker and punter … holds all-time school record for career total touchbacks … all-Conference (New Jersey Super Football Conference) … H.E.R.D. award recipient, given to the varsity football athlete that most exemplifies the attributes of Heart, Enthusiasm, Roughness and Dedication/Desire. Overall: 10 letters.
Parents: Karen and Bob Brennfleck
Why Virginia?: “In selecting the ideal collegiate student-athlete experience for me, I wanted the best balance of respected and challenging academics, combined with a highly-competitive lacrosse program. Other priorities included student-athlete support services, a broad range of student activities and a diverse and engaged campus community. The University of Virginia was the perfect choice for me and I am excited to be a Cavalier.”
Will Cory #14
Attack
6-0, 180
Charlottesville, Va. • Episcopal High School
HS Lacrosse Coach: Scott Conklin
Secondary School Background
Lacrosse:Captain as a senior … two-time All-IAC and All-Met … team MVP as a senior … set the single-season scoring record (90 points) in 2019 … set the single-season assist record (44) in 2019 … set the single-season points per game record at EHS (4.2 ppg) as a junior and then broke his own record as a senior (4.7 ppg)Football: Two-year starter at wide receiver and defensive back … special teams captain. Overall: Seven letters.
Parents: Kim and Chuck Cory
Why Virginia?:“I have grown up going to lacrosse games at Klöckner Stadium, so it has always been a dream of mine to play lacrosse at Virginia. Furthermore, Virginia is a great combination of athletic excellence and academic opportunity.”
Peter Garno #33
Midfield
5-11, 180
Haverford, Pa. • The Haverford School
HS Lacrosse Coach: John Nostrant
Secondary School Background
Lacrosse: Under Armor All-American … US Lacrosse All-American … Under Armour Underclassmen Philadelphia Team … three-time first-team All-Interac … 2019 team captain … Delco Timesplayer of the year … two-time All-EPLCA … All-Philly team … scored 54 goals and four assists as a senior … team MVP award. Golf: Went 35-0 as a senior … captain of team … two-time state champion … three-time Inter-ac champion … All-Inter-ac first team … earned the Coaches Award,Overall: Nine letters.
Parents: Kim and Ed Garno
Why Virginia?:“Virginia is the perfect place to pursue my love of lacrosse and also further my education at the highest level.”
Jake Giulieri #44
Defense
6-1, 190
Potomac, Md. • Georgetown Prep
HS Lacrosse Coach: Scott Urick
Secondary School Background
Lacrosse: Four-year varsity starter …2019 IAC regular season champions … two-time all-conference honoree … Washington PostAll-Met honorable mention … Washington PostAll-Met second team … Georgetown Prep Most Outstanding Defensive Player … three-time member of the Under Armour Underclass DC team … listed as No. 30 recruit in the country by Inside Lacrosse … listed as No. 10 defenseman in the country by Inside Lacrosse. Soccer: Three-year varsity starter … 2018 IAC regular season champions … IAC All-Conference Award. Overall: Seven letters.
Parents: Christy and Dave Giulieri
Why Virginia?:“Virginia provided me with the best opportunity to advance myself not only academically, but physically as well. Being able to get the opportunity to play for the defending national champions is an honor, but Virginia also gives me the best opportunity to succeed academically.”
Quentin Matsui #22
Defense
6-0, 200
Eden Prairie, Minn. • Eden Prairie High School
HS Lacrosse Coach: Ryan Ward
Secondary School Background
Lacrosse: Two-time team captain … named 2019 Minnesota Mr. Lacrosse … Star TribuneMetro Player of the Year … Epoch Lacrosse Player of the Year … two-time All-American … three-time all-state … four-time all-section… Under Armour All-American. Football: Team captain … two-year starter at middle linebacker … member of the 2017 undefeated state champion (13-0) … as a senior he led the team to another state championship (11-2) … all-district.Wrestling: Started on varsity as an 8th (152) and 9th grader (160). Overall:Nine letters
Parents: Tamara and Matt Matsui
Why Virginia?:“The quality of education and opportunities presented by the University of Virginia is outstanding. That, paired with the opportunity to be a member of the storied Virginia lacrosse program, made UVA a no brainer. The weather doesn’t hurt either.”
Daniel Parker #8
Midfield
5-10, 155
Mount Sinai, N.Y. • Saint Anthony’s High School
HS Lacrosse Coach: Keith Wieczorek and Doug Schrieber
Secondary School Background
Lacrosse: Under Armour Underclassman Long Island team 2017-2018 … all-county, all-league, all-state in 2019 … member of the 2019 NYSCHSA state champions … academic scholar-athlete award from 2017-2019 … invited to U19 USA team tryouts. Football: First-team all-state CHSFL 2018-2019 … first-team All-Long Island … Saint Anthony’s record holder in single-season receiving yards and touchdowns … All-League Offensive Award … three football championships in four years and part of the No. 1 team in New York.Overall:Six letters.
Parents: Jeanmarie and John Parker
Why Virginia ?: “Academically and athletically the University of Virginia offers students an opportunity to create a successful future. I feel Virginia will afford me with the best education, while allowing me to grow intellectually as well as athletically.”
Gavin Tygh #21
FO/M
6-1, 190
Malvern, Pa. • William Penn Charter School
HS Lacrosse Coach: Pat McDonough
Secondary School Background
Lacrosse: Under Armour All-American … Under Armour Underclass Philadelphia (2017-2018) … five-time varsity starter … two-time US Lacrosse All American … four-time All Inter Ac Selection (three-time first-team), Inter Ac Co MVP … most career faceoff wins in high school lacrosse history (1,297) … totaled 37 goals, 6 assists and 221 groundballs as a senior … played club lacrosse for Big4/HHH. Football: Three-year letterwinner … made 13 sacks as a junior playing defensive end. Overall:Eight letters.
Parents: Melissa and Michael Tabasso
Why Virginia?: “I look forward to the academic and athletic challenges that Virginia will provide. I welcome the opportunity to compete at the highest level, in the classroom and on the field. Additionally, I am excited to be part of a close knit alumni network when my time on Grounds comes to a close.”
Connor Shellenberger #1
Attack
6’1 185
Charlottesville, Va. • St. Anne’s Belfield
HS Lacrosse Coach: Bo Perriello
Secondary School Background
Lacrosse: Under Armour All-American … state runner-up in 2016 as a freshman … had 44 points and was ranked the No. 1 player in the class of 2019 … as a sophomore had 121 points and was named first-team all-state and a US Lacrosse All American … was given the No. 1 ranking for the second straight year … as a junior, won an IAC championship while attending Bullis School in Potomac, Md … scored 80 points and was named first-team Washington PostAll-Met, All-IAC, second-team All-USA and first-team all-state in Maryland … was a first-time captain and ranked No. 1 (5-star) for the third straight year … senior year returned to St. Anne’s Belfield and was named a captain for the second time … scored 100 points and named Prep League Player of the Year … first-team all-state and a US Lacrosse All American. Overall:Four letters.
Parents: Stephanie and Scott Shellenberger
Why Virginia?: “The University of Virginia provides the best opportunity to pursue a national championship, while also receiving a top-tier degree. Having grown up in and around Charlottesville, having the opportunity to join the UVA community was something I could not pass up.”