Virginia men’s lacrosse is off to a good start to the 2018 season with wins over Loyola and Princeton. However, the Cavaliers will have to finish the season without one of its leaders.

The team announced Thursday that midfielder Ryan Conrad will miss the rest of the 2018 season due to a “lower extremity injury” he suffered in the loss to Syracuse on Sunday afternoon. Conrad scored once in the loss to Syracuse, but missed the following game against Manhattan — an 8-5 win.

In five games this year, Conrad had four goals, three assists and 23 ground balls for Virginia. He was named a team captain before the season, and was part of the preseason First Team All-American and Tewaaraton Watch List.

He finished last season with 17 goals and 11 assists and was named a USILA third-team All-American.

“All of Ryan's teammates and coaches are heartbroken for our captain and leader,” coach Lars Tiffany said. “A warrior on the lacrosse field, losing the opportunity to compete is especially difficult for Ryan. We know he will be with us every step moving forward, guiding his fellow Virginia Cavaliers with his passionate words of encouragement.”

Conrad joined the Virginia program as the nation’s top recruit out of Loyola Blakefield (Md.) in 2016. He was a key player in Lars Tiffany’s offense last season. In total, Conrad has 30 goals, 17 assists and 97 ground balls for his Virginia career.

No. 8 Virginia (5-1) will battle Stony Brook on Saturday before getting back into ACC play at Notre Dame on March 17. The Cavaliers have not won an ACC game since taking the conference title over North Carolina in 2014.