Men’s Lacrosse: UVA picked as ACC preseason favorite; five Cavaliers recognized on All-ACC team

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

Virginia was voted No. 1 in the 2023 edition of the ACC men’s lacrosse preseason poll following a vote by the league’s five head coaches, the conference office announced Tuesday.

Additionally, Connor Shellenberger (attack), Jeff Conner (midfield), Cole Kastner (defense), Cade Saustad (defense) and Petey LaSalla (faceoff) represented the Cavaliers on the Preseason All-ACC Team. Virginia’s five Preseason All-ACC selections led the conference. Kastner is the reigning ACC Defensive Player of the Year.

The Cavaliers were also voted the nation’s No. 1 overall team in the both the Inside Lacrosse and Nike/USA Lacrosse Magazine preseason media polls.

Virginia kicks off its 2023 season on Feb. 11, when it hosts Michigan at Klöckner Stadium at 12 p.m.

2023 ACC Preseason Coaches Poll

1. Virginia, 23
2. Notre Dame, 21
3. Duke, 14
4. North Carolina, 9
5. Syracuse, 8

2023 Preseason All-ACC Team
Attack
Pat Kavanagh, Sr., Notre Dame
Brennan O’Neill, Jr., Duke
Connor Shellenberger, R-Jr., Virginia 

Midfield
Jeff Conner, Gr., Virginia 
Eric Dobson, Jr., Notre Dame
Andrew McAdorey, So., Duke

Defense
Kenny Brower, Sr., Duke
Cole Kastner, Jr., Virginia 
Cade Saustad, R-Sr., Virginia 

Goalie: Liam Entenmann, Sr., Notre Dame
Face-off: Petey LaSalla, Gr., Virginia
Long-stick midfielder: Tyler Carpenter, Sr., Duke
Short-stick midfielder: Conner Maher, Gr., North Carolina