Virginia Pregame Articles and Videos

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[Powellfan]

MARQUEE GAME

No. 13 Virginia at No. 12 Syracuse, Saturday at Noon on ESPNU
Historically, this has been one of the most exciting series in lacrosse. Syracuse leads the all-time series 18-17, and the game has been decided by one goal on 16 occasions, including the last four meetings. The teams split the two meetings a year ago.

The Cavaliers enter the ACC opener coming off a thrilling back-and-forth road victory over Princeton, 12-11. Freshman goalkeeper Patrick Burkinshaw made his first start in the cage and was the story of the game. Burkinshaw stopped a stadium-record 24 shots to carry the Cavs.

Sophomore Matt Moore (9G, 10A) has been fantastic in his move to attack and complements junior stud Michael Kraus (7g, 7a). Ian Laviano (11g, 1a) scored eight goals in two games last week, including the OT winner at Princeton.

On taking his team into the Carrier Dome, Virginia coach and LaFayette (N.Y.) High School alum Lars Tiffany discussed his team’s mindset in the podcast interview. (Check out the D-Fly & Dixie Podcast interview with Lars Tiffany which starts around the 32:00 mark of the podcast.)

“When we go up there, it’s certainly a special venue to play in, and in front of a passionate crowd and fan base. The game of lacrosse is very important to the people of Central New York, and that’s what’s unique about it. So it’s an exciting opportunity against really, really well-coached team. Can we play our style and exert our will and who we are? Can we get the tempo going to our pace? And if not, then the challenge is 'Can we better than them at something they’re really good at?' the 6-v-6 setting.”

Syracuse rebounded from its season-opening upset loss to Colgate with impressive wins over Albany and Army behind two strong defensive performances. Junior goalie Drake Porter made 12 saves in holding Albany to just five goals, then limited Army-West Point to eight goals in a 16-save effort. The veteran close defense of Nick Mellen, Tyson Bomberry and Marcus Cunningham has been superb in the two wins.

Offensively, sophomore middie Brendan Curry (6G, 4A) has made the freshman-to-sophomore leap and emerged among the nation’s best. Seniors Nate Solomon (6G) and Bradley Voight (7G, 2A) have keyed the attack.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

There’s some good matchups pitting a few rivals against each other on Saturday.

The biggest one is an ACC opener between the Virginia Cavaliers and the Syracuse Orangeinside the Carrier Dome (Noon, ESPNU). It’s a legendary rivalry that was a showcase in the 1990s and has carried on throughout the years. The Orange lead the all-time series by a game, but the Cavaliers got their first win against the Orange since 2014 in the ACC Tournament last May. Cuse looks like they’re clicking, especially on defense, while Virginia has a 2-2 record but hasn’t looked convincingly good so far this season.