2023 Women's Top 30: How Virginia Fared vs. Projections

Before USA Lacrosse Magazine looks ahead to what’s to come in 2024, our team of staff and contributors decided it was worth taking one last look at 2023.

After all, you have to look at the most recent results before making projections for what’s to come. To do that, we’re taking a journey through the top 30 teams in men’s and women’s lacrosse — what went right, what went wrong and what we should all think of that team’s season.

Was it a success? A failure? A mixture of both? You’ll find out our thoughts over the next month or so.

VIRGINIA WOMEN’S LACROSSE

Nike/USA Lacrosse Preseason/Final Top 20 Ranking: 13/Unranked (also considered)
2023 record: 11-7 (6-3 ACC)

WHAT WENT RIGHT

The Cavalier offense lifted the team to a torrid start, sporting a 6-0 mark with at least 16 goals in each game. What worked in that stretch is largely what Virginia can hang its hat on — a diverse offense. Rachel Clark torched defenses for 76 points by season’s end, leading a group of four players with at last 36 goals and six players with at least 43 points. Aubrey Williams made most of it possible as UVA’s draw dynamo (134 draw controls), with assistance from Mackenzie Hoeg (54) and Devon Whitaker (39).

Virginia finished 12th nationally in scoring (14.83 goals per game) and ninth in total draw controls per game (16.61).

WHAT WENT WRONG

The Hoos finished the season 5-7, and their final game will be the one that stands out — a shocking 16-14 loss to Albany in the NCAA tournament. It was a game that ultimately stands as the final game of Julie Myers’ illustrious career as the head coach of Virginia, which looked like a dark horse contender behind its potent offense. But on the other end of the field, the defense couldn’t keep pace. It allowed 16 goals five times in the final 12 games and finished 81st nationally with 13.33 goals allowed per game.

SEASON HIGHLIGHT

A very specific instance in which everything seemed to be going right was the second quarter of a March 25 game against Notre Dame. Virginia dropped eight in that period and allowed just one in a 16-14 win. The second half wasn’t pretty, however, as the inconsistent Hoos were outscored 9-5.

VERDICT

It was unfortunately another forgettable season for Virginia, once one of the premier ACC women’s lacrosse destinations. The university’s academic standing will always be a major draw, as will the facilities, but with a new head coach (Sonia LaMonica) in 2024, maybe a mini reset is on the horizon. Plus, Clark and Jaime Biskup (Vanderbilt) appear to be transferring.