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The UVa Men’s lacrosse team defeated Bucknell in a thrilling 13-12 overtime game in the first round of the NCAA Tournament this past Sunday. Following a significant rain and lightning delay, the 7th seeded Cavs were able to come from behind in the fourth quarter and escape with the overtime victory over the unseeded Bison. Steele Stanwick lead the charge with 3 goals and 5 assists, including the final helper to Matt White who sealed the overtime with a nifty sneak around the right pipe for the stuff. You can read more about the game here and here. The men move on to face a very good Cornell team on Saturday. That game is set for noon and will be broadcast on ESPNU. UVa defeated Cornell earlier this season.

The UVa women’s team fell to UNC for the third time this year in their first round NCAA game in Chapel Hill 15-7. The Cavs were not able to get back on track following a rain delay of over an hour and finish their season with a 9-9 record. You can read more about the loss and the season here.

Both the University of Virginia men’s and women’s teams were selected Sunday to play in the NCAA tournament for the shot at a national championship.

Following a slight hiccup toward the end of the season including losses and the dismissal of one its best players, Shamel Bratton, and the indefinite suspension of another key midfielder, Rhamel Bratton, the men’s squad received an 7th seed. They will host Bucknell on Sunday at 3pm. It is the Cavalier’s lowest seed since 2001. Bucknell is unseeded following their win of the Patriot League, and enter the tournament with a 14-2 record, including eight wins in a row.

The women’s squad earned an at large bid into their tournament, one of five ACC teams to make it. They enter the tournament with a 9-8 record and will face the North Carolina Tarheels (13-5) in the first round. The Cavs and Heels have faced off twice already this season, with North Carolina taking both matches. Game day and time have not been determined.

Here is your roundup of all the week’s lacrosse action in and around Charlottesville:

UVA Men

The University of Virginia men’s lacrosse team defeated #20 Ohio State at Klockner stadium to a packed house on a glorious Saturday afternoon. The weather was perfect, the crowd enthused and the Cavaliers on point as they took care of business against the Buckeyes. Overcoming a sluggish start and a furious comeback that came up short, UVA put on an offensive display in the middle periods, scoring early and often against one of the nation’s better defenses. Steele Stanwick paced the Cavs with 4 Goals and a helper, while Rhamel Bratton added 4 goals of his own.

It was a physical matchup that saw plenty of bodies flying around. There were two blow-to-the-head penalties, one of the 2-minute variety, but overall it was just a hard hitting contest with minimal chippiness. Logan Schuss led all scorers with 5 goals, leading a spirited effort in the second half which saw the Buckeyes score 6 of the final 8 goals of the game.  It was not enough to overcome the 7 goal hole they dug themselves in the first half, however and UVA moves to 7-1 on the season.

You can read full reports and complete stats on the game, along with video highlights, from the University of Virginia, Inside Lacrosse, and Lax Power.

#2 ranked Virginia is back in action on March 26 when they travel to Baltimore to contest Johns Hopkins for the Doyle Smith Cup. The game will be televised live on ESPNU. Faceoff is slated for 2 p.m.

UVA Women

The UVA women’s team squeeked out another victory at home, beating Princeton 10-9 in the first half of Saturday’s double header with the men. Riding the hot scoring touch of juniors Ainsley Baker, Charlie Finnigan, Julie Gardner and Josie Owen, the Cavaliers were able to hold of the #15 team in nation at home. Finnigan and Gardner’s tallied three goals a piece, while Gardner also tacked on one assist for a game-high four points; Owen contributed two goals and Baker added one. It was the second big win for the team who erased a 7 goal defecit for a comback, emotional victory over #16 William & Mary on Wednesday.

You can read reports on the contest, along with video highlights and complete stats at the University of Virginia.

High School

3/15

Girls

 Albemarle 19, Charlottesville 9

3/17

Girls

St. Anne’s-Belfield 19, James River 3
Covenant School 12, Steward School 16
Monticello 19, Albemarle 15

3/18

Boys

Tadem Friends 8, Steward 11
Albemarle 8, Colonial Forge 3
Blue Ridge School 20, Christchurch 14
Charlottesville 8, Western Albemarle 5
Woodberry Forest 5, Winter Park (FL) 6

3/19

Boys

Monticello 12, Kettle Run 19
Covenant 4, Christchurch 11
St. Anne’s-Belfield 8, Severn (MD) 11

Girls

Monticello 19, Kettle Run 14

The Herd

Last, but not least, the Herd travelled to the beach on Sunday and had a strong showing in a rare away double-header. All around strong play on both ends of the field led to victories over the Virginia Beach Sharks and Norfolk Neptunes on a blustery day at Dre’ Bly Memorial Field. Check out pictures from the game.

Although they were just scrimmages, the Herd set the table and got the sticks warm for their first big league game at home under the lights at STAB on April 1st. That’s right. Hide the women and children, Herd v. Capital, Friday night lights on April Fool’s Day. Anything could, and will, happen.

The University of Virginia Men’s Lacrosse team will open its 2011 season this Saturday against No. 18 Drexel at Klockner Stadium starting at 5 p.m. in what should be an exciting early season test for a team vying for another National Championship. This is the 10th straight season the Cavs have opened with the Dragons.

UVA has also announced it will hold its April 2 contest against ACC rival Maryland at Scott Stadium instead of Klockner, at 12 p.m. The game will be held before the football team’s annual Spring Orange-Blue game. This was an idea cooked up at Ohio State University a couple years ago to great success. It is both a boon for the lacrosse program to have the extra fans and a way to get fans interested in different sports. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for the kiddos.

On the Women’s side, the No. 7 Cavs travel to No. 12 Loyola for their season opener against the Greyhounds. Will be another early season test for a young squad looking to overcome some obvious emotional hurdles this season.

	Yeardley Love – Virginia v. Maryland, March 9, 2009. (Click for a larger version: 73K.)

Via UVa Sports Information

The Virginia women’s lacrosse program will remember and honor Yeardley Love in a ceremony prior to the Cavaliers’ game with Penn State at Klöckner Stadium on Sunday, March 6.

During the ceremony, the number ‘1’, worn by Love as a Cavalier, will be permanently retired in honor and remembrance of her life, commitment, and dedication to the women’s lacrosse program and to the University.

“I hope our fans can attend and join all of us — our team, Yeardley’s closest friends and her family – as we remember and honor her,” Virginia head coach Julie Myers said. “Yeardley’s presence and influence on all of us will be forever cherished and held deep in our hearts.”

The ceremony will begin 10 minutes prior to the game’s 1 p.m. start time.

Via UVa Sports Information

Charlottesville, VA – Season tickets for the 2011 Virginia men’s and women’s lacrosse seasons are now on sale. Virginia lacrosse season tickets may be purchased online at VirginiaSports.com, by phone at (800) 542-8821 or in person at the Virginia Athletics Ticket Office in Bryant Hall at Scott Stadium Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The 2011 lacrosse general admission season ticket includes admission to all home games for both men’s and women’s lacrosse for $30 for adults and $20 for youth, seniors, and UVa faculty and staff.

An all-lacrosse Reserved season ticket is available for $40. Fans may also purchase Reserved season tickets exclusively for men’s or women’s lacrosse for $30 each. Reserved seating is limited to the blue chair back seats at Klöckner Stadium. Reserved season tickets sold out last year and all season ticket holders from the 2010 season will have priority on renewal. All new Reserved season ticket orders for 2011 will be put on a waitlist and seating will be done based on priority.
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Photo: cville-lax.com

	Virginia v. Princteton: NCAA first round, May 13, 2007. (Click for a larger image: 111K)

From media releases

Virginia fourth-years Kate Breslin, Jessy Morgan, and Jess Wasilewski helped the South team win the annual IWLCA North-South Senior All-Star Game, Division I at the STC Farewell Festival held today in Downingtown, Pa. The South defeated the North 18-8. Breslin led all scorers with five points on two goals and three assists, including one assist to Wasilewski, and was a finalist for MVP of the game. Morgan controlled two draws, and Wasilewski added a draw control and a goal.

The South jumped out to a 3-0 lead and led 10-3 at the break as Morgan controlled a pair of draws in the first half and Breslin had a goal and an assist. In the second half Breslin fed Wasilewski in the final minutes of the game.

All three student-athletes earned All-American honors in 2007, the first such honors of their careers. Virginia won the 2007 ACC Tournament and advanced to the NCAA final game for the third time in the careers of the fourth-year class.