Four Cavaliers Named Inside Lacrosse Midseason All-Americans
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Four Virginia men’s lacrosse players have been named Midseason All-Americans by Inside Lacrosse, the organization announced on Thursday (March 31).
Attackman Connor Shellenberger and defenseman Cole Kastner were tabbed First Team All-Americans, while short-stick defensive midfielder Grayson Sallade and defenseman Cade Saustad were named honorable mention selections.
Shellenberger is currently third in the nation in points (6.25/game), fourth in assists (3.62/game) and fifth in shot percentage (.525). Shellenberger, who has posted at least one point in all 26 career games, has also tallied at least five points in his last 12 games, dating back to the Cavaliers’ NCAA Tournament first round matchup against Bryant (May 16, 2021). He has recorded multiple assists in all eight of Virginia’s games so far this season. Shellenberger is currently the only player in all of Division-I men’s lacrosse averaging at least 2.6 goals per game and 3.6 assists per game this season.
Kastner is currently third in the nation in caused turnovers (3.00/game). He was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Week in back-to-back weeks (March 8 & 15). In the Cavaliers’ 19-8 win over Johns Hopkins, he tallied a career-best five caused turnovers. Kastner was named a Tewaaraton Foundation Watch List First Round Addition earlier this season.
Sallade leads UVA in ground balls (20) among non-faceoff specialists and has three caused turnovers this season. Sallade, who is the Cavaliers’ go-to short-stick defensive midfielder, collected a season-high six ground balls in UVA’s 15-11 victory at North Carolina. The Lancaster, Pennsylvania native also has three assists this season.
Saustad is second on the team in caused turnovers (1.29/game), which is currently good for sixth in the ACC, and has 14 ground balls this season. Saustad, who is also a captain alongside Sallade, anchors a Virginia defense that is currently third in the nation and leads the ACC in ground balls (38.00/game), and is sixth in opponent clear percentage (.768).
Off to its best start since 2012, No. 2 Virginia (7-1) travels to Richmond (5-3) on Saturday (April 2). Opening faceoff is set for noon on NBC Sports Washington and ESPN+ (subject to blackout).