What We Learned From Virginia's First Loss of the Season Against Johns Hopkins

Observations from the UVA men's lacrosse 16-14 loss to Johns Hopkins and what it means for the rest of the 2024 season

After three straight ranked wins to start the season, the Cavaliers' win streak ended on Saturday at Klöckner Stadium as Virginia lost 16-14 to Johns Hopkins behind an 8-4 second-half surge by the Blue Jays. With a win, Virginia would have had a strong chance of moving up into the number one spot as No. 1 Duke suffered an upset of their own to Penn on Friday night. 

The thing about an early season loss is that it’s a great way to expose flaws and correct them come April and May. With that said, here’s what we learned from Virginia’s first loss:

Anthony Ghobriel is vital to Virginia’s success.

In the first three games, Navy transfer Anthony Ghobriel was 65.5% from the faceoff stripe, 6th best in the nation. In his absence on Saturday, the committee of Matthew DeSouza, Thomas Colucci, and Gable Braun managed a mere 14/34 from the dot.

The faceoff struggles awarded the Blue Jays extra possessions, which in a close game where every possession matters can decide a game. Furthermore, they played make-it-take-it at the faceoff x multiple times, allowing them to rattle off goals in quick succession as the Virginia offense helplessly watched. This included a three-goal run in the fourth quarter that gave Johns Hopkins its first lead since the first quarter and a lead that held to the end of the game. 

Ghobriel has shown promise in the first three games of the season as a suitable replacement for the legendary Petey LaSalla, but it is essential that Ghobriel recovers from his injury and stays healthy, especially come May. 

Ground Balls save lives.

Virginia has finished first in the country in ground balls six out of the last seven years. Ground balls demonstrate the grittiness and toughness of a team, earning a team extra possessions in crucial moments. 

Through three games, Virginia ranked 8th in the country in ground balls, and against Johns Hopkins, lost the ground ball battle 44-35. Ground balls have been a staple of the Lars Tiffany era of Virginia lacrosse, and if the Cavaliers want to win in May, this is a statistic that Virginia needs to win. 

For context, last time against the Blue Jays, Virginia won the ground ball battle 42-22.

Last season, Virginia lost the ground ball battle only twice all year, once against Duke and the other in the Final Four against Notre Dame - both losses. 

Virginia’s offense has some work to do.

When the ground ball battle and faceoff stripe were not going Virginia’s way, valuing the ball on offense was even more important. Instead, the Cavaliers committed a season-high 16 turnovers, a key reason for Virginia's defeat.

The Cavaliers also only scored four goals in the second half, with two coming in transition. For an offense that averages 15.25 goals this season (8th in the country) compared to 17.24 goals a game last season (first in the nation), it’s clear that this offense has work to do.

The Cavaliers shot selection and execution have also struggled, as Virginia shot 32.6% compared to their season average of 38.1% in 2023. In their first three games, the Cavaliers shot 31.5%, which is something that needs to be improved moving forward.

The benefit is it’s the beginning of March, leaving plenty of time to improve between now and May!

Joey Terenzi has the potential to be a dominant two-way midfielder.

Moving to the positives, Joey Terenzi has been a massive bright spot for the Hoos. After redshirting last season, the sophomore from Manhasset has dominated every facet of the game. Terenzi has five goals and two assists through four games and is a massive threat for opponents in transition.

Terenzi gives us the lead again! Catch the finish on ACC Network!#GoHoos🔸⚔️🔹 pic.twitter.com/Y1dq0DcnYo

— Virginia Men's Lacrosse (@UVAMensLax) March 2, 2024

The midfielder is also a ground ball machine, serving as a force on the wing during faceoffs, picking up eight ground balls so far this season. Against Johns Hopkins, Terenzi had a key transition goal while having multiple contributions to the Virginia clear.

Terenzi, who has already drawn comparisons to Virginia legend Ryan Conrad, is set to be a vital part of this Virginia team for the next four years.

Ben Wayer is an All-American caliber defender

Despite the Virginia defense allowing a season-high 16 goals, the performance of Ben Wayer deserves recognition. Against the Blue Jays, Ben Wayer registered three caused turnovers and five ground balls.

One of his forced turnovers led to a goal by Payton Cormier in the first quarter, in which Wayer dislodged his opponent's stick, leaving the player stunned.

Yard sale!!! We are tied at Klöckner!#GoHoos🔸⚔️🔹 pic.twitter.com/IhZ7pYwpur

— Virginia Men's Lacrosse (@UVAMensLax) March 2, 2024

“He’s a man possessed, he’s like a mountain man coming down from the mountains after being gone for a year,” said Tiffany on the performance of Ben Wayer after the Ohio State game.

So far this season, Wayer has 19 ground balls, six caused turnovers, and after missing last season, is performing at an All-American caliber level.

With it being spring break at the University of Virginia, the Cavaliers will host Robert Morris on Tuesday, the second of three games in eight days, before facing Towson on Saturday, March 9th. 

After that, Virginia will have its next big test as the Cavaliers will travel to play Maryland on Saturday, March 16th in College Park. 

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