GREENSBORO, N.C. (theACC.com) – North Carolina graduate attackman Chris Gray and Virginia junior attackman Payton Cormier have been selected as the ACC Offensive Co-Players of the Week, while Virginia sophomore defenseman Cole Kastner earned Defensive Player of the Week in the latest ACC weekly men’s lacrosse honors.
 
Gray led the Tar Heels with six goals and two assists in North Carolina’s thrilling 17-16 win over No. 20 Denver. He scored the game-winning goal with 1:19 left in the game and has now scored six or more goals in back-to-back games. Gray is currently second nationally in points per game (6.83), third in goals per game (4.17) and 10th in assists per game (2.67).
 
Cormier tied his career high with six goals on nine shots in UVA’s 19-8 win over No. 14 Johns Hopkins. Seven of his nine shots were on cage, headlined by four second-half goals. Cormier also added one ground ball.

Kastner caused a career-best five turnovers to help lead Virginia to the win over No. 14 Johns Hopkins. His five turnovers are tied for the most by an ACC player in a single game this season and tied for fifth-most in the nation. In the opening period against the Blue Jays, Kastner caused a turnover, picked up the ground ball and went the length of the field before his high-bouncing shot found the back of the net for his first career goal. He finished the game with two ground balls. Kastner currently leads the ACC and is second in the nation in caused turnovers (3.80/game).
 
ACC teams hold five of the top 20 spots in the USILA/Dynamic 2022 Men’s Coaches poll this week: Virginia (2), North Carolina (7), Duke (9), Notre Dame (10) and Syracuse (18).
 
2022 ACC Offensive Players of the Week
Feb. 8 – Brennan O’Neill, So., A, Duke
Feb. 15 – Chris Gray, Gr., A, North Carolina
Feb. 22 – Pat Kavanagh, Jr., A, Notre Dame
March 1 – Chris Gray, Gr., A, North Carolina
March 8 – Chris Gray, Gr., A, North Carolina | Payton Cormier, Jr., A, Virginia
 
2022 ACC Defensive Players of the Week
Feb. 8 – Mike Adler, Gr., G, Duke
Feb. 15 – Matthew Nunes, Fr., G, Virginia
Feb. 22 – Tyler Carpenter, Jr., LSM, Duke
March 1 – Petey LaSalla, Sr., FO, Virginia
March 8 – Cole Kastner, So., D, Virginia