No. 4 Virginia Hosts Drexel in One Love Game

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – No. 4 Virginia (7-1) looks to tally its fifth consecutive win of the season on Saturday (March 23) when the Cavaliers host Drexel (3-4) in the first meeting between the two schools since 2018. Opening faceoff from Klöckner Stadium is set for 3 p.m. ACC Network Extra.

Saturday’s men’s lacrosse game is the second of a lacrosse doubleheader at Klöckner Stadium as the UVA women are slated to host Syracuse at noon.

Both games are dedicated to the One Love Foundation. The One Love Foundation was created in 2010 to honor the memory of former Virginia women’s lacrosse player Yeardley Love. Since her passing, One Love’s mission has been to educate, empower and activate young people in a movement to end relationship violence and to promote healthy relationships in its place.

NUMBERS TO KNOW

11 – The Cavaliers have won 11 consecutive games in the series, a win streak that dates back to 2008.

18 – Connor Shellenberger, UVA’s career assists leader, needs only 18 more assists to become the ACC record holder.

849 – Jack Boyden (332), Connor Shellenberger (282) and Payton Cormier (235) combine for 849 career points. No other team in the nation has three active players on its roster combine for that amount.

SERIES HISTORY

• The Cavaliers lead the all-time series with Drexel, 17-1, including an 8-1 record at Klöckner Stadium.
• The inaugural matchup was held in 1947, Virginia’s first season after World War II.
• The next meeting took place 55 years later as the two teams squared off in the regular season each year from 2002-18.
• The Dragons’ only win of the series was in 2007 in an 11-10 decision in Charlottesville.
• Including the 2007 contest there have been four one-goal games in the series.
• In 2013, the Cavaliers were victorious in the only overtime meeting between the two teams. The Dragons tied the game with 10 seconds remaining in regulation, but UVA won it 11 seconds into overtime after Nick O’Reilly dished out his sixth assist of the day to Matt White, who buried the game-winning goal.

LAST TIME OUT

• After falling behind 3-0 in the first quarter, Virginia utilized a 14-1 run to pull away from UAlbany in the Cavaliers’ 16-10 victory at Klöckner Stadium this past Tuesday (March 19).
• With his second point of the day, Connor Shellenberger (1g, 5a) became UVA’s all-time leading point getter, shattering Matt Moore’s previous program record of 277 career points.
• The victory was also the 200^th of Lars Tiffany’s heading coach career. Tiffany is currently in his 20^th season as head coach, including eighth at UVA.
• In addition to Shellenberger, McCabe Millon (5g) and Payton Cormier (5g) stood out for the Cavaliers offensively.
• Thomas Colucci (10-16 FO) and Matthew DeSouza (8-14 FO) both finished above 50 percent at the faceoff X.
• Netminder Matthew Nunes (7-1) made 12 saves and allowed only five goals in nearly 50 minutes of action.

CAVALIERS AMONG THE NATION’S STATISTICAL LEADERS

• For games played through March 19, Virginia is second in the nation in assists (10.75) and clearing percentage (.937), third in ground balls (38.25) and points (26.50), fourth in man-up offense (.563), sixth in shot percentage (.344), seventh in scoring offense (15.75) and eighth in turnovers (14.25).
• Virginia’s clearing percentage, ground balls and saves (13.71) per game averages also lead all ACC teams.
• Among all Division-I players this season, Payton Cormier is currently third in goals (3.75) and 17th in points (4.88). Connor Shellenberger is sixth in assists (3.25) and eighth in points (5.38). McCabe Millon is eighth in goals (3.25) and 26th in points (4.38). Matthew Nunes is 17th in save percentage (.557).

THE CAVALIERS AT KLÖCKNER STADIUM

• Virginia owns a 177-46 (.794) all-time record at Klöckner Stadium, including a 4-1 record in 2024, and has won 21 of its last 25 games played at the historic edifice.
• The Cavaliers’ average margin of victory in their last 25 games at Klöckner Stadium is 5.88 goals.
• Virginia is 51-14 (.785) all-time at Klöckner Stadium under head coach Lars Tiffany.
• UVA is also 14-3 all-time at Klöckner Stadium in NCAA Tournament contests.
• Lacrosse debuted in Klöckner Stadium in 1993.

VIRGINIA IN THE POLLS

• 4 Virginia has been ranked in the top 5 of the USILA Coaches poll in 333 weeks all-time including in the most recent edition of the poll.
• Virginia has been ranked No. 1 in the nation in 70 all-time polls.
• UVA has been ranked in 525 out of 546 (.962) total USILA polls all-time.
• The USILA Poll began in 1973.

ON THE HORIZON

• The Cavaliers travel to Harvard (6-1) on Saturday (March 30).
• Opening faceoff from Harvard Stadium is set for noon on ESPN+.