Men’s Lax: No. 12 Virginia concludes regular season with 17-6 win over Drexel

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

In what could be his final game at Klöckner Stadium near the close of an admirable four-year career, attackman Truitt Sunderland (4 goals, 6 assists) recorded a career-high 10 points to lead No. 12 Virginia to a 17-6 win over Drexel Friday afternoon.

The win capped the Cavaliers’ regular-season slate and followed UVA’s pregame Senior Day ceremony, when Sunderland and 10 other soon-to-be graduates were honored.

Sunderland’s six assists were also a career best. He is the second Cavalier this season to record 10 points in a game, joining fellow attackman Brendan Millon, who did so in UVA’s 18-7 win over Dartmouth (March 23).

Sunderland entered Friday’s contest tied for first among all ACC players in goals per game. With four scores on the day, he now has 41 goals and 17 assists in 12 games this season.

In addition to Sunderland, Joey Terenzi (3g, 1a) and Ryan Duenkel (3g) both registered hat tricks. Jake Marek (7-5), who entered the game in the second period and played for 36:26, finished with 12 saves.

If you want even more award-winning coverage on the UVA athletics department, including its nationally-ranked football and basketball programs, be sure to subscribe to “Cavalier Exclusive” to follow all of Virginia Sports Hall Of Famer Jerry “Hootie” Ratcliffe’s analysis and content. It’s the best in the business for Wahoo Fans!

In its third edition since returning in 2024, the four-team, single-elimination conference tournament will be held May 1 and 3 at American Legion Memorial Stadium in Charlotte (see current standings, full bracket and weekend scoreboard below). Next Friday’s semifinals and Sunday’s championship will be carried live on ACC Network.

HOW IT HAPPENED

In a Senior Day start – his first at Klöckner Stadium since Feb. 18, 2025 – goaltender Kyle Morris made a point-blank save on the game’s first shot after the Dragons won the opening draw and quickly created a quality chance. Five of UVA’s first seven shots were either saved by Drexel starting goaltender Brennan Donnelly (9 saves) or rang off the post. Both teams were held scoreless for the first 10 minutes of play before UVA senior Will Inderlied delivered the Cavaliers’ opening goal. Duenkel, who notched his first career hat trick in the opening half, and Brendan Millon (2g, 3a) recorded the next two goals as UVA led 3-0 at the end of the first.

After Morris made two stops in the opening period, the Dragons got on the board 2:34 into the second quarter on an outside shot, prompting Marek – UVA’s No. 1 goalie – to relieve Morris after a strong start. The Cavaliers then ignited a 5-0 run, highlighted by two more strikes from Duenkel. With under 15 seconds remaining in the half, UVA was whistled for interfering with Donnelly while he attempted a pass from inside the crease, resulting in a free DU clear. With time winding down, Drexel midfielder Teddy Luthy dodged down the right alley and fired a shot on the run that slipped past Marek with five seconds remaining as UVA led 8-2 at the break.

Coming out of the half, the Dragons (9-5) cut into UVA’s lead again, scoring their third goal 2:15 into the third quarter. Moments later, a lightning delay halted play for 38 minutes. When play resumed, UVA’s offense struck, unleashing a 7-0 run that carried into the fourth quarter. Sunderland scored or assisted on six of UVA’s seven third-period goals, tallying all 10 of his points prior to the start of the fourth. The Cavaliers led 14-4 heading into the final period.

McCabe Millon (1g) scored the first of two fourth-quarter goals for the Hoos after his shot glided into the top-left corner of the cage. Cavalier reserves began to mix in during the fourth quarter, including senior attackman Burke McFarlane, whose first goal of the season prompted a huge cheer from the UVA sideline and grandstands. After McFarlane’s goal, reserve netminder Colin Hook checked into the game for the final 2:42 of play.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

With four goals and six assists, Truitt Sunderland tallied a career-high 10 points.
He is the second Cavalier to record 10 points in a game this year, joining Brendan Millon, who did so in UVA’s 18-7 win over Dartmouth (March 23).
It also marks the 22nd 10-point performance in program history.
With three goals and one assist, Joey Terenzi tied his career high of three goals and recorded his second career hat trick.
With three goals, Ryan Duenkel recorded his first career hat trick.
With two goals and three assists, Brendan Millon surpassed his brother McCabe Millon on UVA’s freshman points list. Brendan Millon now has 30 goals and 37 assists this season. His 67 points are 12 shy of the program’s freshman points record set by UVA assistant coach Connor Shellenberger in 2021.
Brendan Millon is also tied for ninth on UVA’s freshman goals list with Garrett Billings.
The Cavaliers scored seven straight goals in the second half, which tied their second-best goal streak this season.
Play halted for 38 minutes for a lightning delay at the 13:18 mark of the third quarter.
Virginia recognized 11 fourth-year and graduate student-athletes in a Senior Day pregame ceremony. Among those honored were Charles Balsamo, Truitt Sunderland, Joey Terenzi, Ryan Colsey, Mack Till, Tim Myers, Johnny Hackett, Jake Marek, Kyle Morris, John Schroter and Aidan Murnane.
Friday’s game was dedicated to the University of Virginia Gordie Center, whose mission is to end hazing and substance misuse among college and high school students nationwide.

WITH THE WIN …

UVA finished the regular season with a winning record of 8-6.
The Cavaliers improved to 19-1 in the all-time series and extended their winning streak against Drexel to 13 consecutive games.
UVA snapped a two-game skid.

FROM HEAD COACH LARS TIFFANY

UP NEXT

No. 4 seed Virginia, which handed No. 1 seed Notre Dame (10-1) its lone loss of the season on March 28, will face the Fighting Irish again on Friday in the semifinals of the 2026 Allstate ACC Men’s Lacrosse Championship. Opening faceoff from American Legion Memorial Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, is set for 5 p.m. on ACC Network.

Notre Dame enters Friday’s matchup having been ranked No. 1 nationally in the most recent USILA coaches poll.

North Carolina, Syracuse and Virginia each tied for second in the ACC standings. By virtue of the league’s tiebreaker procedures, the Cavaliers earned the No. 4 seed, Syracuse the No. 3 seed and North Carolina the No. 2 seed.

In the March 28 meeting at Klöckner Stadium, Virginia held Notre Dame scoreless for the final 19:34 and freshman Brendan Millon (2g, 2a) delivered the game-winning goal late in the fourth quarter of the 11-9 victory. The result marked the first win in program history for an unranked UVA team over a No. 1 opponent.

Since joining the league for the 2014 season, Notre Dame has faced Virginia three times in the ACC Tournament (2018, 2019 and 2024). The Cavaliers are 1-2 in those meetings, with their only win coming in the 2019 championship game – also their most recent ACC Tournament title – when they shut out the Irish for the final 40 minutes of a 10-4 victory at Klöckner Stadium.

Virginia is seeking its 20th ACC championship and first since they shared the 2022 regular-season title with Notre Dame, when the league crown was determined by finish.

In the second ACC semifinal, No. 3 seed Syracuse (11-4) takes on No. 2 seed North Carolina (11-3) Friday at 8 p.m.

The semifinal winners will advance to Sunday’s championship game, which is set for noon on ACC Network.

The 2026 NCAA Division I Men’s Championships bracket will be announced Sunday evening.

ACC TOURNAMENT TICKET INFORMATION

Individual Session tickets for the ACC Championship are available online HERE. One ticket gains admission for all of the games on that respective day. Anyone 5 years and older requires a ticket for entry. All tickets are General Admission.
Bring a group of 10 or more to take advantage of preferred group pricing and special Group Experiences. For more information, please email tickets@theacc.org.

ACC Scoreboard

Friday
Virginia 17, Drexel 6

Saturday
Notre Dame 16, Syracuse 11
Duke 16, North Carolina 12

ACC Scoreboard

ACC Championship Bracket

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