“This whole year has [not been] a failure by any means,” Schroter said. ”I truly believe with my whole heart that we have the best culture in the whole … lacrosse world.”
“Having Brendan has just unlocked so much,” Sunderland said. “It takes some weight off McCabe’s shoulders.”
Virginia will be riding into the NCAA tournament match after a weekend trip to Charlotte, N.C., where the lacrosse squad vanquished the Queen City ghosts that had plagued the football and men’s basketball teams.
“We killed both the teams,” Marek said. “We're just playing some really consistent lacrosse right now.”
“He is the best communicator I think I've ever had for a captain,” Tiffany said. “His emotional intelligence is through the roof, and yet he's a ferocious warrior … it almost feels like a spiritual lift as well.”
Virginia will now almost certainly host a first-round game, crucial in its chances of reaching Championship Weekend at Scott Stadium.
There is a lot on the line in this weekend’s ACC Tournament for the fourth-seeded Cavaliers, starting with a semifinal showdown Friday at 5 p.m. against No. 1 seed Notre Dame.
As the postseason commences this week, Virginia will have to account for what has been a less-than-soundproof defense.
“We're just trying to play our best lacrosse,” Tiffany said. “As we go down to Charlotte, first and foremost, I want to win an ACC tournament … that's what we're striving for right now.”
“I know I still have a lot more to do, and I think I know I can still have a lot greater impact,” Hausmann said. “Help this team in any way — that’s always been my biggest piece.”
“I couldn’t be any happier with my men, the fight back,” Coach Lars Tiffany said. “And just unfortunately, how that final one went in off the rebound.”
“I want to give Syracuse credit,” Tiffany said. “I felt like their entire team had a greater sense of urgency … Syracuse’s offense is really, really difficult to stop.”
“Coach, just before you end,” Marek said. “Will you give me a chance to be the starter?” Tiffany was taken aback. That, he thought, that was a little forward.
“We’re fortunate today to get ours,” Tiffany said, “and see what happens next time we see Duke. That’s later this year or next year.”
“Odds [were] it's got to break at some point,” Tiffany said. “We're fortunate today to get ours and see what happens the next time we see Duke.”
“There’s something that I’ve seen with this team grow in the last couple weeks,” Tiffany said. “A belief is growing.”
No. 1 Notre Dame walked into Klöckner Stadium on Saturday the premier team in the country, preparing to steamroll the weakest of their four ACC foes on their home field.
With the days of back-to-back NCAA Championships in 2019 and 2021 now far in the rearview, after four bumpy losses, Virginia looks to claw back into conference contention
“Our coaching staff is thrilled with the energy, effort, and performance of our men tonight,” Coach Tiffany said. “We love challenges, and certainly playing two games in three days presents such a challenge.”
“I liked our physicality,” Tiffany said. “We like it when it's aggressive … We like our man-down defense, so [we] want to play a physical game.”
