CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Coming off back-to-back national titles, the top-ranked Virginia men’s lacrosse team opens its 93rd season on Saturday (Feb. 5) in a home contest against Air Force. Opening faceoff is set for 1 p.m. on ACCNX.

SEASON OVERVIEW

  • The 2022 season marks the 93rd season for the Virginia men’s lacrosse program, which boasts and all-time record of 675-376-1.
  • Virginia is seeking its third consecutive national championship, having won titles in 2019 and 2021. No national championship was held in 2020 after the NCAA announced on March 12, 2020 that it had canceled all remaining winter and spring championships due to the onset of COVID-19.
  • The top-ranked Cavaliers are seeking to become the third program in NCAA in Division-I men’s lacrosse history to capture three consecutive NCAA titles. Only Princeton (1996-98) and Johns Hopkins (1978-80) have won three straight NCAA championships. Syracuse won NCAA titles from 1988-90, but the 1990 championship was later vacated by the NCAA.

VIRGINIA IN SEASON OPENERS

  • UVA is 53-34-1 (.608) all-time in season openers.
  • When Virginia opens its season at home, the Cavaliers have compiled a 31-17-1 (.643) record.
  • Saturday’s season opener against the Falcons marks the earliest start to a season in program history.
  • Saturday’s contest marks the 15th instance in the last 23 seasons that UVA has opened the season at home.
  • Virginia is 17-17 (.500) when opening its season on the road.
  • The Cavaliers have won 12 of their last 14 season openers.

THE SERIES VS. THE FALCONS

  • Virginia leads the all-time series, 2-1, over the Falcons.
  • The Cavaliers have won the last two matchups against Air Force – both of which were at Klöckner Stadium – in 2020 and 2021.
  • The first-ever matchup between the two teams was on Feb. 28, 2004 in Denver, Colorado.
  • In the most recent matchup between the two teams (2021), the Cavaliers were led by Charlie Bertrand (4 goals, 1 assist), Connor Shellenberger (1 goal, 4 assists), Matt Moore (4 assists) and Peter Garno (3 goals). At the faceoff-X, Petey LaSalla won 12 of his 16 attempts and Gavin Tygh was 4-of-5.

UVA ON THE GREEN GRASS OF KLÖCKNER

  • Virginia owns a 158-43 (.786) all-time record at Klöckner Stadium, including a 7-3 mark in 2021 and are winners of 19 of the last 24 games played in the historic edifice. UVA is also 13-3 all-time at Klöckner Stadium in the NCAA Tournament.
  • Virginia is 31-11 all-time at Klöckner Stadium under head coach Lars Tiffany.
  • Lacrosse debuted in Klöckner Stadium in 1993.

VIRGINIA IN THE POLLS

  • Virginia has been ranked in the top five of the USILA Coaches poll in 301 weeks all-time, including in the 2022 preseason poll.
  • UVA has been ranked in the top 10 in 453 polls all-time, including in the 2022 preseason poll.
  • UVA has been ranked No. 1 in the nation in 69 all-time polls, including in the 2022 preseason poll.
  • The USILA Poll began in 1973.

 DUAL THREAT: MATT MOORE & CONNOR SHELLENBERGER

  • Virginia attackmen Matt Moore and Connor Shellenberger were both named to Inside Lacrosse’s Preseason Tewaaraton Top 10 Watch List.
  • The Cavaliers were the only program that had two preseason national player-of-the-year candidates.
  • In 2021, Moore and Shellenberger combined for 70 goals and 76 assists, which accounted for 35 percent of the Cavaliers’ point production.
  • Shellenberger was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2021 NCAA Tournament and a USILA First Team All-American, while Moore was tabbed a Third Team All-American.

ON THE HORIZON

  • Virginia returns to Klöckner Stadium next Sunday (Feb. 13) to host Towson in a 3 p.m. tilt on ACCNX. The Virginia women’s lacrosse team opens its season at Klöckner Stadium next Sunday at noon prior to the men’s matchup against the Tigers.