Men's Lacrosse
Final Four
May 24th
What a weekend!
Men’s Lacrosse earned a trip to the Final Four with a stirring victory over Stony Brook. Then the Men’s Tennis team earned yet another berth in the Final Four by defeating UCLA.
Oh yeah, the baseball team had a pretty good weekend, too. More on that later.
I know a lot of fans are down on the UVa athletic department based upon recent horrific results in football and men’s basketball. Let’s be honest, though: this athletic department is outstanding. I am constantly amazed at the level of success achieved in non-revenue sports. Makes a man proud to be a Wahoo.
Big weekend
May 17th
It’s good to get the first one out of the way:
And just 12 seconds into the game, it felt like there just might be “life after love.” With Love’s family in the stands, Virginia scored right off the opening faceoff when Charlie Finnigan took a pass from Whit Hagerman and fired a shot past Towson goalie Mary Teeters.
The season-high crowd of 2,270 at Klockner erupted.
But it wasn’t until late in the second half that sixth-seeded Virginia was able to put away a feisty Towson squad. A goal by Finnigan with 1:58 to play gave UVa a hard-fought 14-12 victory.
With the win, Virginia (14-5) advanced to play No. 3 North Carolina next weekend in Chapel Hill, N.C..
“This was obviously much more than just a game today,” said Virginia coach Julie Myers. “Obviously, the last couple of weeks have been unfamiliar territory, but our players, our coaches, everybody surrounding our program — and even people who aren’t attached directly to our program — have been so strong and have really helped keep us hopeful, keep us together and keep us really focused.”
Virginia needed that focus. After jumping out to a quick 3-0 lead, No. 11 Towson responded by scoring five of the next six goals to take a 5-4 lead.
That story just doesn’t stop being a heartbreaker. Glad the Hoos could focus long enough to win. Next up: UNC, next weekend.
Let’s not forget that the men won in the first round, as well. They will play Stony Brook in round two.
Still the favorite?
May 9th
Over at the Daily Progress, Whitey Reid asks if the UVa men’s lacrosse team is still the favorite going into the NCAA tournament. It’s a good question.
I saw some video on ESPN earlier from Grounds, talking about the men’s and women’s lacrosse teams. As often as UVa gets ignored by ESPN, it is just heartbreaking to see The University cast in this light on a national broadcast. What a miserable situation for everyone.
Another view on the lacrosse tragedy
May 9th
Really outstanding look by Jerry Ratcliffe here on the lacrosse tragedy…from the perspective of former UVa hoops coach Pete Gillen? I know, strange angle, but it’s a good read on what UVa’s lacrosse coaches have been dealing with.
UVa Lacrosse Murder
May 4th
This has been one of the best springs the University of Virginia athletics department has ever experienced. That has all changed, and the University is now mourning one of its own:
George Huguely, 22, of Chevy Chase had been the starting quarterback, an honor roll student and a lacrosse all-American at the renowned Landon School.
Yeardley Love, 22, of Baltimore County had been a four-year member of the lacrosse and field hockey teams at Notre Dame Prep in Baltimore.
At some point, they had a romantic relationship. But early Monday, Love was found dead inside her apartment, and a few hours later, Huguely was charged in her death.
The university community was grappling with Love’s slaying. Members of the men’s and women’s lacrosse teams closed ranks and were keeping to themselves. But the rest of the campus was openly devastated by the news. “This death moves us to deep anguish for the loss of a student of uncommon talent and promise,” U-Va. President John Casteen said.
I just can’t imagine what the Love family is experiencing, and our thoughts go out to them. What a tragedy, in the midst of what should be a time of celebration, with NCAA tournaments and graduation right around the corner.
Sad. Just sad.
Director’s Cup Update
Apr 30th
The updated Director’s Cup standings have been released, and UVa has dropped to 8th (they were 5th previously). Eighth, of course, is the highest finish Virginia has ever accomplished in this particular competition (UVa was 8th last year and in 1999).
The baseball, lacrosse, and tennis teams are almost assured of garnering more points for the University, so Virginia appears to be almost a lock for their highest Cup finish ever. That’s a credit to the individual coaches, but also to Craig Littlepage who, as AD, has presided over the rise to prominence of the Athletic Department as a whole (even as the football and basketball programs have cratered).
