GREENSBORO, N.C. (theACC.com) – Virginia has been chosen as the preseason favorite in the 2022 ACC Men’s Lacrosse Preseason Coaches Poll, which was released Tuesday following a vote of the league’s five head coaches. The two-time reigning national champions, the Cavaliers totaled 23 points in the balloting, while Duke was second with 17 points. Notre Dame (16), North Carolina (12) and Syracuse (7) rounded out the poll.
The Preseason All-ACC Team features 15 student-athletes representing all five conference teams, with each school having at least two. Notre Dame leads all schools with four on the Preseason All-ACC Team, while Duke, Syracuse and Virginia each have three and North Carolina two.
All five ACC men’s lacrosse programs are ranked among the top 15 teams in the Inside Lacrosse Face-Off Yearbook Preseason Poll. Virginia leads all ACC teams at No. 1, followed by Duke (3), Notre Dame (5), North Carolina (6) and Syracuse (12).
Eleven of the Preseason All-ACC selections also are represented on Inside Lacrosse’s 2022 Preseason Media All-America Team, with four first-team picks, five second-team selections and two third-team honorees. The remaining four are on IL’s Honorable Mention All-America list. In all, 25 ACC players – most of any conference – earned spots on the 2022 IL Preseason All-America Team.
The Preseason All-ACC Team features 10 returning All-Americans, including a pair of first teamers, UNC attackman Chris Gray and Duke midfielder Nakeie Montgomery. Gray also earned 2021 ACC Offensive Player of the Year honors and was joined by Notre Dame attackman Pat Kavanagh as a 2021 Tewaaraton finalist.
The 2022 ACC men’s lacrosse schedule begins at 5 p.m. Friday with No. 3 Duke playing host to Robert Morris. No. 1 Virginia opens its season at 1 p.m. Saturday at home versus Air Force.
2022 ACC Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Virginia, 23
2. Duke, 17
3. Notre Dame, 16
4. North Carolina, 12
5. Syracuse, 7
2022 Preseason All-ACC Team
Attack
Chris Gray, Gr., North Carolina
Pat Kavanagh, Jr., Notre Dame
Connor Shellenberger, R-So., Virginia
Midfield
Brendan Curry, Sr., Syracuse
Tucker Dordevic, R-Jr., Syracuse
Nakeie Montgomery, Gr., Duke
Defense
Kenny Brower, Jr., Duke
Arden Cohen, Gr., Notre Dame
Cade Saustad, R-Jr., Virginia
Goalie: Liam Entenmann, Jr., Notre Dame
Face-off: Petey LaSalla, Sr., Virginia
Long-stick midfielder: Tyler Carpenter, Jr., Duke
Long-stick midfielder: Brett Kennedy, R-Sr., Syracuse
Short-stick midfielder: Conner Maher, Sr., North Carolina
Short-stick midfielder: Ryan Hallenbeck, Gr., Notre Dame