Men’s Lacrosse: Cormier, Saustad pick up ACC weekly recognition

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Posted on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023, 4:25 pm

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Courtesy UVA Media Relations

Photo: UVA Athletics

Virginia attackman Payton Cormier has been named the ACC’s Offensive Player of the Week, while Cavalier defenseman Cade Saustad was tabbed ACC Co-Defensive Player of the Week for games played Feb. 20-26, the conference office announced on Tuesday.

The duo led the Cavaliers to their third-straight victory, a 17-6 rout over then-No. 9 Ohio State at Paradise Coast Sports Complex in Naples, Florida this past Saturday.

Tuesday’s announcement marks Cormier’s third career ACC weekly honor and Saustad’s first. Virginia has nabbed at least one ACC player-of-the-week honoree each week since its season-opening win over Michigan.

Cormier scored a career-high seven goals against the Buckeyes. All seven of his goals came in either the second or third period and are tied for the most scores by an ACC player in a single game this season. Cormier’s seven-goal performance is also good for No. 2 all-time on UVA’s single-game goals list and are the most by a UVA player since 2020. In addition to registering his 23rd career hat trick, Cormier extended his point streak to 32 games, the nation’s sixth longest point streak. Cormier has scored three goals or more in the Cavaliers’ first three games of the 2023 season and is currently leading the ACC in goals per game (5.00). Cormier was also named to USILA’s national Team of the Week.

Saustad anchored a Virginia defense that held Ohio State to its lowest goal total of the season. The Cavaliers’ defensive performance also marked the lowest goal total by a UVA top-10 foe since holding then-No. 6 Georgetown to just three goals in 2021 NCAA Tournament. Saustad recorded a career-high four caused turnovers and added a pair of ground balls in Virginia’s win over the Buckeyes. He also helped hold OSU attackman Jack Myers, a 2022 second team All-American, to just two goals on 10 shots.

2023 ACC Offensive Players of the Week
Feb. 7 – Brennan O’Neill, Jr., A, Duke
Feb. 14 – Joey Spallina, Fr., A, Syracuse
Feb. 21 – Connor Shellenberger, R-Jr., A, Virginia & Brennan O’Neil, Jr., A, Duke
Feb. 28 – Payton Cormier, Sr., A, Virginia 

2023 ACC Defensive Players of the Week
Feb. 7 – Will Mark, Sr., G, Syracuse
Feb. 14 – Grayson Sallade, Gr., SSDM, Virginia
Feb. 21 – Petey LaSalla, Gr., FO, Virginia & Jake Naso, Jr., FO, Duke
Feb. 28 – Cade Saustad, R-Sr., D, Virginia & Wilson Stephenson, Gr., D, Duke