CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – No. 1 Virginia (1-0) hosts High Point (1-1) in its second 2022 regular-season contest on Sunday (Feb. 13). Opening faceoff is set for 3 p.m. on ACCNX.

The Virginia women’s lacrosse team (1-0) hosts California in its home opener at noon on Sunday prior to the start of the men’s game against the Panthers.

SEASON OVERVIEW

  • The 2022 season marks the 93rd season for the Virginia men’s lacrosse program, which boasts an all-time record of 676-376-1.
  • 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 also 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.

LAST TIME OUT

  • UVA kicked off its 2022 season with a 21-11 win over Air Force (Feb. 5) at Klöckner Stadium.
  • The Cavaliers trailed 3-0 at the end of the first quarter after Air Force won 3-of-4 faceoffs during the first period.
  • Virginia flipped the script in the second quarter by tallying 10 goals to lead the Falcons 10-6 at halftime.
  • The Cavaliers were led by Xander Dickson (4 goals, 5 GBs), Payton Cormier (4 goals), Connor Shellenberger (2 goals, 5 assists) and Cole Kastner (2 ground balls, 4 caused turnovers).

THE SERIES VERSUS THE PANTHERS

  • Virginia leads the all-time series, 4-2, over the Panthers.
  • In the series’ six games so far, the average margin of victory has been three goals.
  • The Cavaliers have won the last two matchups against High Point, both of which were at Klöckner Stadium in 2020 and 2021.
  • Virginia lost the first-ever matchup in overtime, 12-11, on Feb. 23, 2016 at Klöckner Stadium.
  • In the most recent meeting, former goalie Alex Rode made 17 saves, including 12 in the second half, to help the Cavaliers fend off High Point at Klöckner Stadium in a 12-11 victory on March 3, 2021. Matt Moore (3 goals, 2 assists), Peter Garno (2 goals) and Connor Shellenberger (1 goal, 3 assists) led the Cavaliers offensively. Faceoff specialists Petey LaSalla (11-18 FO) and Gavin Tygh (6-7 FO) dominated the faceoff-X for Virginia.

UVA ON THE GREEN GRASS OF KLÖCKNER

  • Virginia owns a 159-43 (.787) all-time record at Klöckner Stadium, including a 1-0 mark in 2022 and are winners of 20 of the last 25 games played in the historic edifice. UVA is also 13-3 all-time at Klöckner Stadium in the NCAA Tournament.
  • Virginia is 32-11 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 302 weeks all-time, including the most recent edition of the poll.
  • UVA has been ranked in the top 10 in 454 polls all-time, including the most recent edition of the poll.
  • UVA has been ranked No. 1 in the nation in 70 all-time polls, including the most recent edition of the poll.
  • The USILA Poll began in 1973.

THREE CAVALIERS NAMED TO TEWAARATON WATCH LIST

  • Virginia’s Petey LaSalla, Matt Moore and Connor Shellenberger were named to the Tewaaraton Watch List, the foundation announced Feb. 10.
  • The award annually honors the top male and female college lacrosse player in the United States. The selection committees are made up of premier collegiate coaches and are appointed annually by The Tewaaraton Foundation.

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.

MATTHEW NUNES & GRIFFIN SCHUTZ NAMED IL’S TOP PROSPECTS

  • Virginia first years Matthew Nunes (G) and Griffin Schutz (A/M) were both No. 1 incoming freshmen in the nation at their respective positions, according to Inside Lacrosse.
  • In addition to being tabbed the No. 1 overall attackman in his class, Schutz was crowned the No. 1 overall prospect. Schutz will likely see time as an offensive midfielder in 2021 with the starting attack solidified for the Cavaliers.
  • With the departure of 2021 starting goalie Alex Rode, Matthew Nunes will become the first true freshman to start a season under the direction of head coach Lars Tiffany in his 18 years of experience as head coach.

ON THE HORIZON

  • Virginia travels to Towson on Saturday, Feb. 19 for its first road contest of the season.
  • Opening faceoff from Johnny Unitas Stadium is set for noon and will broadcast on Lax Sports Network.