CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) – Virginia graduate attackman Payton Cormier earned Atlantic Coast Conference Men’s Lacrosse Offensive Player of the Week honors for the second straight week and third time this season, while his teammate, junior goalie Matthew Nunes, was named ACC Defensive Player of the Week for the second time this season.
A native of Oakville, Ontario, Cormier scored a game-high four goals and dished out one assist in UVA’s come-from-behind, 13-10 win at No. 16 Harvard on Saturday. His five points were also the most among all players. Three of his four goals came in the second half when UVA needed it most. The Cavaliers trailed by as many as five goals in the third quarter and four in the fourth. His third goal of the day kickstarted a 7-0 run for the Hoos and was the catalyst to one of the program’s largest comebacks in recent memory. With 199 career goals, Cormier is now tied for No. 5 all-time on the NCAA Division I career goals list. Cormier also is just 14 goals away from setting the ACC’s all-time record.
Nunes had a big all-around game in the Cavaliers’ comeback victory at Harvard. Nunes recorded 16 saves in the contest, but also scored the game-winning goal in the fourth quarter. On a UVA clear, Nunes carried the ball end to end and fired a shot that got past the Crimson goalie, which broke a 10-10 score with under five minutes to play in the game. It was also Nunes’ first career goal. The native of The Woodlands, Texas, recorded eight saves in the third quarter to prevent Harvard from running away with the game. UVA trailed by as many as five goals in the third quarter and four in the fourth. Nunes and the Cavalier defense held the Crimson scoreless for the final 13:54.
ACC teams hold the top four spots in the latest USILA and Inside Lacrosse polls, with No. 1 Notre Dame, No. 2 Virginia, No. 3 Duke and No. 4 Syracuse.
Syracuse starts the week with a tough test at No. 12 Cornell on Tuesday at 7 p.m. ESPN+ has the broadcast. This marks the first full weekend of conference play. North Carolina visits Virginia at noon Saturday on ESPNU, while Notre Dame travels to Duke in a top-three showdown and rematch of the 2023 NCAA Championship game at noon Sunday on ACC Network.
2024 ACC Men’s Lacrosse Offensive Player of the Week
Feb. 6 – Josh Zawada, Gr., A, Duke
Feb. 13 – Joey Spallina, So., A, Syracuse
Feb. 20 – Pat Kavanagh, Gr., A, Notre Dame; Payton Cormier, Gr., A, Virginia
Feb. 27 – Brennan O’Neill, Sr., A, Duke
March 5 – Josh Zawada, Gr., A, Duke; Devon McLane, Gr., M, Notre Dame
March 12 – Jake Stevens, 5th, M, Syracuse
March 19 – Jake Taylor, Gr., A, Notre Dame
March 26 – Payton Cormier, Gr., A, Virginia
April 2 – Payton Cormier, Gr., A, Virginia
2024 ACC Men’s Lacrosse Defensive Player of the Week
Feb. 6 – Jake Naso, Sr., FO, Duke
Feb. 13 – Mason Kohn, 5th, FO, Syracuse
Feb. 20 – Ben Wayer, Jr., LSM, Virginia
Feb. 27 – Matthew Nunes, Jr., G, Virginia
March 5 – Marco Napolitano, Gr., D, Notre Dame
March 12 – Saam Oleko, Sr., LSM, Syracuse
March 19 – Will Mark, Gr., G, Syracuse
March 26 – Billy Dwan, So., D, Syracuse
April 2 – Matthew Nunes, Jr., G, Virginia