How does Virginia’s men’s lacrosse team fare in the 2023 NCAA Tournament. What are the key details for the first-round matchup against Richmond. How can fans purchase tickets and parking for the game.
Virginia’s Impressive NCAA Tournament Seeding
The University of Virginia men’s lacrosse team has secured a coveted No. 2 seed in the 2023 NCAA Tournament, marking a significant achievement for the program. This top-tier seeding is particularly noteworthy as it’s the first time since 2010 that the Cavaliers have earned such a high position in the tournament bracket.
With an impressive record of 11-3, Virginia’s strong performance throughout the season has been rewarded with this favorable seeding. The team’s consistent excellence under head coach Lars Tiffany has resulted in their fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, showcasing the program’s stability and continued success.
Historical Context
Virginia’s lacrosse program boasts a rich history in the NCAA Tournament, with this year marking their 42nd overall appearance. The upcoming game at Klöckner Stadium will be the team’s 30th NCAA Tournament game in Charlottesville and 17th at this specific venue, highlighting the Cavaliers’ strong home-field advantage and tournament experience.
First-Round Matchup: Virginia vs. Richmond
The Cavaliers are set to host Richmond (11-4) in the first round of the tournament on Saturday, May 13. This matchup presents an intriguing contest between two in-state rivals with contrasting tournament histories.
Richmond’s Path to the Tournament
Richmond secured their spot in the NCAA Tournament by winning the Atlantic 10 conference championship in their inaugural year in the league. The Spiders defeated High Point 15-8 in the conference title game, capping off a strong finish to their regular season where they won four straight conference games after an early setback.
Head-to-Head History
Virginia holds a commanding 8-1 lead in the all-time series against Richmond. The two teams faced off earlier this season on March 4 at Klöckner Stadium, resulting in a decisive 25-8 victory for Virginia – their largest margin of victory in the series history. This previous encounter may provide valuable insights for both teams as they prepare for their tournament clash.
Tournament Schedule and Broadcast Information
The first-round game between Virginia and Richmond is scheduled for a noon kickoff on Saturday, May 13, at Klöckner Stadium. Fans can catch all the action live on ESPNU.
Potential Quarterfinal Matchup
The winner of the Virginia-Richmond game will advance to face the victor of the contest between seventh-seeded Georgetown (12-3) and Yale (9-5). This quarterfinal matchup is set to take place in Albany, N.Y., at the University of Albany’s Tom & Mary Casey Stadium on Saturday, May 20. The game will start at either noon or 2:30 p.m., with ESPNU providing television coverage.
Championship Weekend
For teams that continue to advance, the NCAA Lacrosse Championship Weekend is scheduled for May 25 and 27 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA. Both semifinal games will be broadcast on ESPN2 on May 25, while the championship game is slated for a 1 p.m. start on ESPN on Memorial Day (May 27).
Ticket and Parking Information for Fans
For supporters looking to attend the first-round game at Klöckner Stadium, here’s what you need to know about tickets and parking:
- General admission tickets: $10
- Reserved seats: $15
- Student tickets: $5
Tickets go on sale Monday, May 8, beginning at 9 a.m. Fans have several options for purchasing tickets:
- Online at UVAtix.com
- By calling the Virginia Athletics ticket office at 434-924-8821
- At the Klöckner Stadium box office, starting one hour before the event
Reserved season-ticket holders can secure their regular-season seats by contacting the Virginia Athletics ticket office. These seats will be held until 5 p.m. on Monday before being released to the general public.
Parking Options
Parking for the event is available at the John Paul Jones South and West Lots for $10 per space. Fans can purchase parking passes in advance or upon arrival, subject to availability. It’s important to note that only credit/debit cards will be accepted for parking payments – no cash transactions will be processed on-site.
For those seeking a free parking option, spaces are available at the UVA Emmett/Ivy Garage.
Virginia’s Tournament Legacy and Recent Success
Virginia’s men’s lacrosse program has long been a powerhouse in NCAA competition. Their consistent presence in the tournament over the past five years under Coach Lars Tiffany speaks to the team’s sustained excellence and ability to compete at the highest level.
Impact of Top Seeding
Earning the No. 2 seed in this year’s tournament is a significant advantage for Virginia. It not only provides them with a favorable path through the bracket but also ensures home-field advantage in the early rounds. This high seeding is a testament to their strong regular-season performance and positions them as one of the favorites to make a deep run in the tournament.
ACC Dominance
Virginia’s success is part of a broader trend of excellence within the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Fellow ACC members Duke and Notre Dame secured the No. 1 and No. 3 seeds respectively, highlighting the conference’s strength in men’s lacrosse. This impressive showing by ACC teams adds an extra layer of intrigue to the tournament, as these powerhouse programs could potentially face each other in later rounds.
Richmond’s Underdog Story
While Virginia enters the tournament as a seasoned contender, Richmond’s journey to the NCAA Tournament is a compelling underdog story. The Spiders’ lacrosse program is relatively young, having started only in 2014. Their qualification for the tournament in their first year as members of the Atlantic 10 conference is a significant achievement.
Richmond’s Growth and Potential
Despite their underdog status, Richmond has shown remarkable growth since the inception of their program. Their conference championship victory and overall 11-4 record demonstrate their ability to compete at a high level. The tournament provides an opportunity for the Spiders to test themselves against one of the nation’s top programs and potentially pull off a major upset.
Strategies and Key Players to Watch
As Virginia and Richmond prepare for their first-round matchup, both teams will be focusing on key strategies and players that could influence the outcome of the game.
Virginia’s Offensive Firepower
The Cavaliers’ offense has been a force to be reckoned with throughout the season. In their previous encounter with Richmond, Virginia’s 25-goal output showcased their ability to dominate offensively. Look for Virginia to push the tempo and create scoring opportunities early and often.
Richmond’s Defensive Challenge
For Richmond to have a chance at an upset, they’ll need to find a way to slow down Virginia’s high-powered offense. The Spiders’ defensive unit will be under pressure to limit Virginia’s scoring chances and force turnovers to create transition opportunities.
Players to Watch
While specific player statistics weren’t provided in the original text, fans should keep an eye on Virginia’s top scorers and Richmond’s defensive leaders. The performance of goalkeepers on both sides could also play a crucial role in determining the outcome of this first-round matchup.
Implications for the Rest of the Tournament
The result of the Virginia-Richmond game will have ripple effects throughout the tournament bracket. A Virginia victory would reinforce their status as a title contender and set up a potentially intriguing quarterfinal matchup against either Georgetown or Yale.
Potential Cinderella Story
Should Richmond manage to pull off the upset, it would send shockwaves through the lacrosse world and open up that section of the bracket. An underdog victory could inspire other lower-seeded teams and add an extra layer of excitement to the tournament.
Looking Ahead to Championship Weekend
While both teams are focused on the immediate challenge of their first-round game, the ultimate goal is to reach Championship Weekend in Philadelphia. The path to the title will be challenging, with other top seeds like Duke and Notre Dame looming as potential opponents in later rounds.
As the 2023 NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Tournament gets underway, the Virginia vs. Richmond matchup promises to be an exciting start to what should be a thrilling competition. With high stakes, talented teams, and the potential for unexpected outcomes, lacrosse fans across the country will be eagerly following every moment of the action.
Virginia Men’s Lacrosse | Virginia Earns No. 2 Seed in NCAA Tournament; Hosts Richmond Saturday
NCAA FIRST ROUND TICKET & PARKING INFORMATION
Tickets are $10 for general admission, $15 for reserved seats and $5 for students. Tickets go on sale Monday (May 8) beginning at 9 a.m. Fans may purchase tickets in advance via UVAtix.com or by calling the Virginia Athletics ticket office (434-924-8821). Fans may also purchase tickets at the Klöckner Stadium box office starting one hour prior to the event.
Reserved season-ticket members may purchase their seats held during the regular season by calling the Virginia Athletics ticket office. Tickets will be held until 5 p.m. on Monday before being released to the public.
Parking is $10 per space at the John Paul Jones South and West Lots and may be purchased in advance or upon drive up, subject to availability. Parking passes must be purchased using a valid credit/debit card; cash will not be accepted on site.
Spots are first come, first served. Free parking is also available at the UVA Emmett/Ivy Garage.
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The second-ranked Virginia men’s lacrosse team (11-3) will be a No. 2 seed and host Richmond (11-4) in the first round of the 2023 NCAA Tournament on Saturday (May 13). Opening faceoff from Klöckner Stadium is set for noon on ESPNU.
The Cavaliers will make their fifth consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament under head coach Lars Tiffany, also the program’s 42nd overall. Virginia earned a top-2 seed for the first time since 2010. Saturday’s game at Klöckner Stadium marks UVA’s 30th NCAA Tournament game in Charlottesville and 17th at Klöckner Stadium. The ACC’s Duke (1) and Notre Dame (3) also earned top-3 seeds after both programs were not selected to participate in last year’s tournament.
In its first year in the Atlantic 10, Richmond defeated High Point, 15-8, in the conference championship game on Saturday (May 6).
After dropping their first A10 game of the season to Saint Joseph’s, the Spiders closed out the regular season with four straight conference wins.
The Cavaliers lead the all-time series over Richmond, 8-1. The two teams squared off earlier this season on March 4 at Klöckner Stadium, when UVA earned its largest win in series history, 25-8. The Spiders started their program in 2014 and hosted UVA in its inaugural matchup in Richmond.
The winner of Virginia and Richmond will face the winner of seventh-seeded Georgetown (12-3) and Yale (9-5) in the quarterfinals in Albany, N.Y. at University of Albany’s Tom & Mary Casey Stadium on Saturday, May 20. Opening faceoff will commence at either noon for 2:30 p.m. on ESPNU.
Championship Weekend is set for May 25 and 27 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pa. Both semifinal matchups will be broadcast on ESPN2 on May 25, while the championship game is set for 1 p.m. on ESPN on Memorial Day (May 27).
NOTES ON THE HOOS AND THE 2023 NCAA TOURNAMENT
- Virginia earned its fifth straight NCAA Tournament berth under Lars Tiffany, the program’s 42nd overall.
