Editor’s note: This interview with Virginia head coach Lars Tiffany took place last week before the tragic deaths of three players on the Virginia football team. Tiffany shared his thoughts about the tragedy on Twitter:
“Our hearts are broken. We grieve with our football brothers. We cry for the tragic loss of the lives Devin, D’Sean and Lavel were living, and for the loss of the lives they would have lived as husbands, dads and leaders.”
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Tewaaraton finalist Connor Shellenberger? He’s back.
ACC Defensive Player of the Year Cole Kastner? He’s back.
All-American faceoff specialist and clutch goal scorer Petey LaSalla? He’s back.
50-goal scorer Payton Cormier? He’s back.
U20 gold medalists Quentin Matsui and Danny Parker? They’re back.
Yes, Virginia loses all-time leading scorer Matt Moore, but the above players are just a smattering of the talent returning to Charlottesville this year. All-Americans Jeff Conner, Grayson Sallade and Cade Saustad also return, along with promising young goalie Matt Nunes.
In fact, Moore is the only player that started more than one game for Virginia last year that’s not back.
Oh, did we mention that Virginia signed the No. 1 recruiting class in the nation according to Inside Lacrosse?
Yes, this has the potential to be a very special season at a school that is no stranger to success in recent years. But in the post-COVID era, with the NCAA not counting the 2020 season as a year of eligibility, there are several teams around the country more experienced than usual.
Can Virginia’s experience take them back to greater heights?
Virginia had its moments last season, but it also showed some flaws. The Cavaliers ranked just 41st in the country in scoring defense, giving up almost 12 goals per game. Virginia also converted 50 percent of its man-up chances, but got just 30 opportunities all year, tied for 70th out of 72 teams in the country.
LAST SEASON
Two-time reigning NCAA champion Virginia started last season 6-0 before being humbled by Maryland 23-12 in an undefeated match-up of No. 1 vs. No. 2 teams in mid-March. While that allowed the Cavaliers to go under the radar, it was also the first sign of how dominant Maryland’s 2022 team would be.
Virginia’s season ended in much the same fashion, an 18-9 loss to Maryland in the NCAA quarterfinals, a cruel twist after Virginia had ended Maryland’s season in both its 2019 and 2021 NCAA championship seasons.
A 12-4 season, including a perfect 8-0 record at home, while being the only ACC team to make the tournament field was pretty impressive, but it’s hard to be content when you’re used to being king of the mountain.