NCAA Men's Lacrosse Preview: No. 5 Virginia's Depth Chart Year

USA Lacrosse Magazine is beginning its countdown to Feb. 1 — the first day of the 2025 men's lacrosse season — by releasing one team preview per day beginning on Monday, Jan. 13.

We continue the countdown with No. 5 Virginia, which is going to lean on more depth than in years past.

NO. 5 VIRGINIA

2024 record: 12-6 (1-3 ACC)
Head Coach: Lars Tiffany
Assistants: Kevin Cassese, Logan Greco, Kip Turner

Where have you gone, Mr. Shellenberger? And Mr. Cormier? Well, you get the point.

There will be a lot of new faces in Charlottesville this year. Virginia has plenty of returning talent, some key new transfers and the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class (though three of the prized freshmen will miss the season with injuries). What’s it all add up to? Change.

“I really liked the last few years when it was just an embarrassment of riches,” head coach Lars Tiffany said. “I yearn for those days when you’re just reloading. This is going to be a depth chart season. You’re going to see changes from week to week because we don’t have those proven veterans we’ve had in the past.”

TOP RETURNERS

McCabe Millon, A, So. (41G, 25A)
Griffin Schutz, M, Sr. (23G, 12A)
Ben Wayer, LSM, Sr. (7G, 6A, 26 CT)

McCabe Millon didn’t have to carry the load on offense for the Cavaliers last season, but he wasn’t afraid to step up in the biggest moments. His late goal against Johns Hopkins sent the game to overtime, where the Cavaliers eventually prevailed. He’ll lead the attack this year, and Griffin Schutz will anchor the midfield.

Schutz continues to burst out of his shell, and Tiffany said flatly, “He’s going to get the pole no matter what. Most of the poles won’t matter.”

Wayer was one of the feel-good stories in his return last year. He causes all kinds of problems for opposing offenses and generates his own offense. Tiffany sees no limit to what he can do.

“He should be a Tewaaraton finalist,” he said. “He’s that impactful.”

KEY ADDITIONS

Charles Balsamo, M, Jr. (7G, 9A at Duke)
Johnny Hackett, M, Jr. (23G, 24A at Bryant)
Hudson Hausmann, M, Fr. (U.S. U20 training team)

Sean Browne, Kyle Colsey and Ryan Duenkel were all ranked among the Top 20 freshmen in the country by Inside Lacrosse, but none are expected to suit up after suffering off-season injuries. There’s still plenty of incoming firepower, much of it centered in the midfield.

Hudson Hausmann was Virginia’s highest-ranked freshman (No. 8) and originally might have been looking at a d-middie role but now has a good opportunity to earn some playing time on offense. Hausmann is one of three Virginia incoming freshmen on the U.S. U20 training team, joining Kyle Colsey and midfielder Will Erdmann.

Transfers Charles Balsamo and Johnny Hackett also look to earn some run in the Cavalier midfield units. Balsamo had 31 points as a freshman starter at Duke but saw his numbers drop last year, and he’ll look to return to form. Hackett can create his own offense, as he did often at Bryant when he dropped a combined 101 points in his first two seasons.

Another newcomer of note is Notre Dame faceoff specialist Andrew Greenspan. Greenspan won 17 of 30 as a freshman for the Irish last year and brings key depth behind Anthony Gobriel (55.5%), who had shoulder surgery immediately following the season last year.

NOTABLE DEPARTURES

Graduations: Jack Boyden (A/M), Payton Cormier (A), Cole Kastner (D), Connor Shellenberger (A), Chase Yager (SSDM)

X-FACTOR

Joey Terenzi, M, Jr.

A throwback midfielder, Terenzi can make things happen on either end of the field. Playing more in a d-middie role last year, Terenzi still scored nine goals. Virginia, which must replace three of its top four offensive players from a year ago, may lean more heavily on Terenzi on offense this year.

Virginia’s starting attack combined for 228 points last year – more than 56 percent of the entire team’s total – so Millon will need help from attackmen Ryan Colsey (19G), Thomas Mencke (6G) and Truitt Sunderland (3G) – but a player like Terenzi could make a big-time impact as the midfield becomes more critical to a rebuilding offense.

THE NARRATIVE

For all of the production Virginia has to replace on offense, the biggest question coming into the season is easily goaltending. Matt Nunes has been the primary starter for most of the past three seasons and when he’s on, he’s a good as anyone in the country. But Nunes struggled down the stretch, making zero saves in the first quarter against Duke while giving up seven goals before being relieved. He made just six saves in nearly three quarters of action in the ACC tournament against Notre Dame and then he was pulled in the NCAA quarterfinal game after Hopkins jumped out to a 4-0 first quarter lead.

Kyle Morris played solid in the Cavaliers comeback win over Hopkins in the NCAA and got the starting nod against Maryland in the semifinals.

What’s happening heading into the spring?

“A battle royale,” Tiffany said.

He said Nunes has returned to form and Morris has been playing lights out. They’re both playing at such high levels that he’s gained a lot of confidence no matter who ends winning the primary duties.

They’ll play behind two of the best specialists in the country with Wayer at LSM and Noah Chizmar at short stick d-middie. Chizmar’s cast of support will include Will Burt, Will Erdmann and Mack Till.

John Schroter, who burst onto the scene with three caused turnovers against Michigan in his first start last year, will lead the backline and will be an absolute menace if he can stay healthy. George Fulton and Griffin Kology also bring starting experience and first-years Luke Hublitz and Tommy Snyder are also in the mix.

Combined, they’ll likely need to improve upon last year’s 37th rank nationally in scoring defense if the Cavaliers are to make it back to championship weekend.