Virginia Lacrosse Uses Dominant Defensive Performance to Cruise Past North Carolina

Matt Newton | Apr 7, 2024

Ryan Colsey celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the Virginia men's lacrosse game against North Carolina. / Virginia Athletics

On a crisp April day in Charlottesville, the Cavaliers opened up ACC play in dominant fashion, defeating North Carolina 14-6. Virginia delivered a stout defensive performance throughout to improve to 1-0 in ACC play. The Hoos jumped out to an early 6-1 lead, a lead that they maintained for the rest of the game. 

Noah Chizmar opened the scoring for the Cavaliers, scoring 11 seconds into the game, before the Tar Heels fired back after a turnover from Cormier set up a fast break for North Carolina. 

After that, the Cavaliers closed the first quarter with a five-goal run to take a 6-1 lead. Connor Shellenberger registered two assists during that run, finding Canadians Payton Cormier and Jack Boyden. To add, the six goals were scored by six different Cavaliers, highlighting the depth within this Virginia team.

To start the second quarter, Logan McGovern scored his second of the day for North Carolina. In response, SSDM Noah Chizmar scored his second of the day, choosing to stay on offense after an effective defensive set. Chizmar finished the day with two goals, four ground balls, and two caused turnovers, demonstrating his versatility as not just a defensive midfielder. 

Minutes later, Shellenberger scored back-to-back goals, juking out his defender from behind the goal before burying the biscuit low for the first one to give Virginia a 9-2 lead. 

In response, North Carolina scored two quick goals before Shellenberger found Boyden on the doorstep with six seconds left in the half to give the Hoos a 10-4 lead. Shellenberger led the way at the half with two goals and three assists. 

At the faceoff x, Anthony Ghobriel started 5/12 in his return from injury while facing off against UNC’s Brady Wambach, who ranks fourth in the nation in faceoff percentage. Ghobriel finished 6/14 from the stripe. 

In the third, both teams scored two apiece as goalies Collin Krieg and Matthew Nunes came alive with four saves each in the quarter. 

In the fourth quarter, the lack of scoring continued until Millon fired his second of the day with 6:27 left in the game. Minutes later, off of a ride, Thomas Menke scored on an open net to solidify the Virginia victory. 

With a large cushion, the Cavaliers took their foot off the gas, draining the clock to cruise to a 14-6 victory. 

The dominant defensive performance was led by Matthew Nunes, who had 11 saves and a .688 save percentage. The goalie was also not afraid to leave his cage, scooping up four ground balls, tied for most on the team. Ben Wayer added four ground balls, and one caused turnover, while Chase Yager had one ground ball and four caused turnovers. 

Cole Kastner also limited North Carolina’s Owen Duffy to one goal and two assists. 

Offensively, Connor Shellenberger led the way with two goals and three assists. McCabe Millon had two goals and two assists, while Jack Boyden added two goals and one assist. 

Virginia (10-1, 1-0 ACC) will continue ACC play on the road at Duke on Sunday, April 14th at 2pm in Durham.