Kastner, Schutz, Shellenberger Tabbed Preseason All-ACC Selections
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia men’s lacrosse players Cole Kastner (defense), Griffin Schutz (midfield) and Connor Shellenberger (attack) have been named Preseason All-ACC Team selections, the conference office announced Tuesday (Jan. 30) following a vote by the league’s head coaches.
Additionally, the Cavaliers were predicted to finish third in the ACC behind Notre Dame and Duke, respectively.
Kastner is a two-time All-ACC recipient and in 2022 was UVA’s first defensive player to garner ACC player-of-the-year honors since 2002. Last year, Kastner was voted a third-team All-American by USA Lacrosse Magazine. He finished second on the team in caused turnovers (21) and fourth in ground balls (40).
Schutz scored 24 goals and dished out 16 assists in 2023, having registered at least one point in 15 games. His 40 total points were good for second among UVA’s midfielders, and fifth overall. Schutz was named a USA Lacrosse Magazine Honorable Mention All-American last year.
Shellenberger is a three-time All-ACC selection and a two-time Tewaaraton Award finalist. Last season, he garnered his second NCAA All-Tournament Team honor after recording 11 goals and 11 assists in three tournament contests. Shellenberger was the NCAA Division-I statistical champion in assists (3.38/game) in 2023. He became just the second player in program history, joining former defenseman Ken Clausen, to be named a three-time USILA First Team All-American. Additionally, Shellenberger was named the ACC’s men’s lacrosse Scholar-Athlete of the Year last year.
On Tuesday, the league also announced that SiriusXM will air an ACC lacrosse preview special, which will debut on Wednesday (Jan. 31) at. 2 p.m. The two-hour special provides an inside look at the upcoming 2024 season. Hosted by SiriusXM and ESPN’s Dana Boyle, the show will feature interviews from each team’s head coach and one student-athlete, including Kastner. The preview show will also be available on demand on the all-new SiriusXM app with clips on ACC and SiriusXM social media channels.
Virginia kicks off its 2024 campaign on Saturday, Feb. 10, when the Hoos host Michigan at noon in their season opener on ACC Network.
Conference play begins Saturday, April 6, when UVA hosts North Carolina (noon). The ACC Men’s Lacrosse Championship returns this season and will be contested May 3 and 5 at American Legion Memorial Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
2024 Predicted Order of Finish
1. Notre Dame, 23
2. Duke, 19
3. Virginia, 16
4. North Carolina, 9
5. Syracuse, 8
2024 Preseason All-ACC Team
Attack
Pat Kavanagh, Gr., Notre Dame
Brennan O’Neill, Sr., Duke
Connor Shellenberger, Sr., Virginia
Midfield*
Eric Dobson, Sr., Notre Dame
Andrew McAdorey, Jr., Duke
Griffin Schutz, Jr., Virginia
Jake Stevens, 5th, Syracuse
Defense
Paul Barton, Jr., North Carolina
Kenny Brower, Gr., Duke
Cole Kastner, Sr., Virginia
Goalie: Liam Entenmann, Gr., Notre Dame
Face-off: Jake Naso, Sr., Duke
Long-stick midfielder: Tyler Carpenter, Gr., Duke
Short-stick midfielder: Ben Ramsey, Jr., Notre Dame
* – includes one extra player due to a tie in the voting