ALBANY, N.Y. — Just seven seconds into Saturday’s NCAA men’s lacrosse tournament quarterfinal, Virginia’s Connor Shellenberger unleashed a blistering shot past Georgetown goalie Danny Hincks.
Virginia
Connor Shellenberger powers Virginia to another lacrosse Final Four
By the time the final horn sounded, Shellenberger had scored or assisted on 10 Virginia goals during a 17-14 win that sent the second-seeded Cavaliers (13-3) to their third Final Four since 2019 and ended seventh-seeded Georgetown’s program record winning streak at 13. In the semifinals, Virginia will face third-seeded Notre Dame or sixth-seeded Johns Hopkins next Saturday at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field.
Shellenberger’s 10 points, which included six goals, matched the program record for an NCAA tournament game and lifted Virginia to its sixth victory in six meetings with Georgetown. His previous six-goal outburst came in May 2021 — also against the Hoyas, also in the NCAA quarterfinals and also in a Cavaliers win.
“I think it helps to get in that zone pretty quickly,” Shellenberger said. “A lot of credit to Petey LaSalla winning those two faceoffs. … I think it kind of just helped us settle into the game a little bit and try to set the tone.”
Voted most outstanding player of the 2021 NCAA tournament when Virginia won a second straight national championship, Shellenberger assisted on Payton Cormier’s goal with 8:54 left in the third quarter Saturday to put the Cavaliers ahead to stay at 12-11.
That began a decisive stretch of four consecutive goals in a game Virginia never trailed. Shellenberger scored or assisted on three of the Cavaliers’ five goals in the third quarter. His goal to open the fourth followed by an assist on Xander Dickson’s tally grew the Cavaliers’ edge to 17-12 with 8:34 to play.
“We just couldn’t stop them,” Georgetown Coach Kevin Warne said. “[Shellenberger] is a great player. He’s fantastic, and at some point he will graduate.”
Shellenberger turned in a virtuoso performance despite having to contend with close defenseman Will Bowen of Georgetown (13-4). The graduate transfer from North Carolina was recently named Big East defensive player of the year.
Dickson had two goals to add to his record-setting redshirt senior season. He has 60 goals, the most in program history, and leads the Cavaliers with 81 points. He is eight shy of matching Virginia’s single-season record set by Matt Moore on the way to the national title in 2019.
Georgetown got four goals from Brian Minicus, who found consistent success in tight windows during one-on-one situations, beating Cavaliers defensemen Cade Saustad, an all-American, and Cole Kastner, the 2022 ACC defensive player of the year.
“They’re two very good defenders, and we sort of have to play to our strengths to find an advantage,” Minicus said. “I know they don’t really give advantages that easily, so we tried to break them down with the two-man game, and that seemed to have a little bit of success — but not as much success as we wanted.”
Making their fifth consecutive appearance in the NCAA tournament, the Hoyas rallied from a 7-4 deficit at the end of the first quarter to tie it at 10 on Minicus’s final goal. Nicky Solomon’s strike several minutes later forged an 11-11 tie before the Cavaliers pulled away.
Virginia held Hoyas attackman Tucker Dordevic to two goals. The graduate transfer from rival Syracuse set the Georgetown single-season record for goals with 65 and tallied six in last weekend’s 19-17 first-round win over Yale at Cooper Field.
In the second half, Virginia Coach Lars Tiffany had his team pack the interior, which forced Georgetown to take more shots from the perimeter. Goalie Matthew Nunes was up to the challenge with 13 saves, four of which came in the fourth quarter to quell any glimmer of a Georgetown comeback.
“What a formidable opponent,” Tiffany said. “The advantage of that is we really feel like as a team . . . that we earned our way to the Final Four. To overcome a team that has just as much athleticism as we do and more men drafted in the [Premier Lacrosse League] draft, it really is a sense of accomplishment.”
It’s the final day of the Battle 4 Atlantis and the West Virginia Mountaineers are hoping to leave the Bahamas with a third-place finish in the event. Winning the whole thing would have been extremely impressive considering the field, but Darian DeVries’ squad has already notched a key resume-building win over Gonzaga and can do so again today against No. 24 Arizona.
Here are my picks for today’s game. Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.
1 Star – Not very confident
2 Star – A little confident
3 Star – Fairly confident
4 Star – Very confident
5 Star – Should be a lock to happen
3-star play on Arizona (-6.5): This is a really tough matchup for the Mountaineers playing its third game in three days. When these two meet later in the year, I believe WVU will put together a much stronger showing and potentially even win the game. Not there, though.
The Wildcats have a nine-man rotation, which occasionally will be a ten-man. WVU’s key players have logged a ton of minutes over the last two days, with both games going to overtime. As evidenced in yesterday’s game, if the Mountaineers face serious foul trouble, it impacts them more than most teams due to a lack of depth. Amani Hansberry should be able to produce a third straight big game, but if he starts picking up fouls left and right, WVU will be in trouble. Arizona’s guard-heavy lineup will attack and finish around the rim with ease.
I’ve got the Wildcats pulling away with a strong second half.
1-star play on the under: Arizona is a high-scoring team that likes to push the tempo. They’ve averaged 67 field goal attempts in this tournament, whereas WVU has attempted 59 and 63 in games that went to overtime. For West Virginia to win, they’re going to have to slow things down when they have the ball, much like they did in the opening-round game against Gonzaga.
I mentioned fatigue setting in as a possibility in the WVU-Louisville game yesterday, and although Darian DeVries isn’t using that as an excuse, you can tell it played a factor for both teams, especially in the first half. Both squads looked sloppy, slow, and disjointed. I seriously doubt WVU and Arizona will have an extra bounce in their step today, playing for the third time in three days and in a game deciding who takes home third place.
ATS: 3-3 (50%)
O/U: 4-2 (66%)
Overall: 7-5 (58%)
Odds Disclaimer
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
MORE STORIES FROM WEST VIRGINIA ON SI
Everything Darian DeVries Said Following West Virginia’s Overtime Loss to Louisville
How to Watch & Listen to West Virginia vs. No. 24 Arizona
Big 12 Score Predictions for the Final Week of the Regular Season
Can West Virginia Finish Strong? ESPN FPI Reveals Chances to Beat Texas Tech
A Virginia woman has been arrested and charged in connection with a murder-for-hire plot, according to the Henry County Sheriff’s office.
Gennevieve McGhee, 44, was allegedly captured via audio and video evidence in the meticulous planning of a murder for hire, the sheriff’s office said.
McGhee is accused of meeting with a confidential source at her residence in Ridgeway, Virginia. The source was acting under law enforcement direction and utilizing a recording device to capture evidence.
TEXAS INFLUENCER SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS IN PRISON FOR MURDER-FOR-HIRE PLOT
Henry County Sheriff’s Office charged Gennevieve McGhee, 44, with criminal solicitation of murder following an investigation that revealed her alleged involvement in planning a murder for hire. (Henry County Sheriff’s Office)
She allegedly discussed detailed instructions on payment arrangements and instructions for carrying out a robbery and murder.
McGhee is charged with criminal solicitation of murder and conspiracy to commit a felony.
INDIAN INTELLIGENCE OFFICIAL CHARGED IN MURDER-FOR-HIRE PLOT ON SIKH SEPARATIST LEADER IN NEW YORK CITY
Gennevieve McGhee, 44, is charged with criminal solicitation of murder and conspiracy to commit a felony. (iStock)
McGhee was taken into custody by deputies from the Henry County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday and is being held at the Henry County Adult Detention Center with no bond.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The case remains under review by the Henry County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.
Additional information on the case is not available at this time, officials said.
The West Virginia Mountaineers (4-2) will meet the No. 24 Arizona Wildcats in the third place game of the Battle 4 Atlantis midseason tournament for the sixth meeting between the two programs.
West Virginia vs. Arizona Series History
Arizona leads 2-3
Last Meeting: March 28, 2008 (NCAA Tournament) WVU 75-65
When: Friday, November 29
Location: Paradise Island, Bahamas, Imperial Arena (3,900)
Tip-off: 3:00 p.m. EST
Stream: ESPN2
Announcers: Beth Mowins and Debbie Antonelli
Radio: Tony Caridi (PBP), Brad Howe (analyst) Mountaineer Sports Network from Learfield IMG College(Radio affiliates)
WVU Game Notes
– West Virginia was scheduled to play in the 2020 Battle 4 Atlantis. The tournament was moved to Sioux Falls, S.D., due to COVID, and the Mountaineers won the renamed Bad Boy Mowers Crossover Classic.
– WVU is 45-16 in in-season tournaments since 2007.
– With a win over No. 3 Gonzaga, WVU defeated a Top 5 AP team for the second consecutive season. Last season, the Mountaineers downed No. 3 Kansas in Morgantown, 91-85.
– Prior to the overtime win over No. 3 Gonzaga, WVU had lost six straight overtime games.
– This is WVU’s fourth trip outside the United States and Puerto Rico to play a regular season game. WVU played in Cancun in 2013 and 2019 and opened the season in Germany in the 2017 Armed Forces Classic.
– West Virginia is the only team in the country that has two players on the same team who averaged more than 20 points per game from last season — Tucker DeVries (21.6 ppg) and Jayden Stone (20.8 ppg)
– West Virginia is 201-55 against nonconference teams in regular season games in the last 21 seasons.
– The Mountaineers have posted a winning nonconference record in 31 of the last 32 seasons.
– WVU is 265-99 in its last 362 games against unranked teams, including winners of 148 of its last 180 at the WVU Coliseum.
– This is the 116th season and 122nd year overall for WVU basketball, which began in 1903.
– Darian DeVries, who led Drake to six consecutive 20-win seasons and has a career .731 winning percentage as a head coach, was named the 23rd head men’s basketball coach at West Virginia University on March 24, 2024.
– DeVries has a record of 154-57 (.731) in seven seasons as a head coach, including a 59-16 (.787) mark in the last two-plus seasons.
– This past August, the men’s basketball team went to Italy for a 10-day tour and won all three of its games against international competition.
– West Virginia returns just 2.8 percent of its scoring from last season’s team (Ofri Naveh).
– The Mountaineers are led by a pair of transfers in Tucker DeVries (Drake) and Javon Small (Oklahoma State). Last season, DeVries was named an Associated Press All-American Honorable Mention selection, while Small earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention honors.
– In addition, Eduardo Andre (Fresno State), Joseph Yesufu (Washington State), Sencire Harris (Illinois), Amani Hansberry (Illinois) and Jayden Stone (Detroit Mercy) will all see considerable action this season.
– Tucker DeVries was named to the 20-member Julius Erving Preseason Watch List, giving annually to the nation’s top small forward.
– Tucker DeVries was named to the preseason Naismith Trophy Men’s College Player of the Year Watch List.
– Tucker DeVries was named to the John R. Wooden Award Top 50 Preseason Watch List.
Delaware3 mins ago
Tatnall standout wins Week 12 Delaware Online Football Athlete of the Week vote, presented by Delaware Orthopaedic Specialists
Florida7 mins ago
SpaceX launching 24 Starlink satellites from Florida early Nov. 30
Georgia12 mins ago
Fort has 16 in Samford’s 86-65 victory over West Georgia
Hawaii14 mins ago
To tip or not to tip? Here’s what Hawaii food industry workers suggest
Idaho17 mins ago
Family-owned Mexican restaurant has been serving homemade dishes to east Idaho for over 25 years – East Idaho News
Colorado2 years ago
Colorado Rockies game no. 116 thread: Zac Gallen vs José Ureña
Midwest3 years ago
See it: Tesla crashes into Columbus convention center at 70 mph
Videos1 year ago
Why Marjorie Taylor Greene was ‘kicked out’ of the Freedom Caucus according to Rep. Buck
South2 years ago
Fox News Politics: Georgia the whole day through
South3 years ago
Death of missing Oregon girl found in stream ruled homicide
Politics4 hours ago
Dem leader condemns Thanksgiving bomb threats against liberal lawmakers after Team Trump targeted
World4 hours ago
At least 42 Palestinians killed as Israel ramps up Gaza attacks
News5 hours ago
The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season was the deadliest in nearly two decades
Politics12 hours ago
Political betting markets still have plenty of action despite end of election season
World12 hours ago
Borrell's final warning: EU has reached 'breaking point' in Ukraine
-
Science1 week agoTrump nominates Dr. Oz to head Medicare and Medicaid and help take on 'illness industrial complex'
-
Health7 days agoHoliday gatherings can lead to stress eating: Try these 5 tips to control it
-
Science3 days agoDespite warnings from bird flu experts, it's business as usual in California dairy country
-
Health4 days agoCheekyMD Offers Needle-Free GLP-1s | Woman's World
-
Science1 week agoAlameda County child believed to be latest case of bird flu; source unknown
-
Technology3 days agoLost access? Here’s how to reclaim your Facebook account
-
Sports1 week agoBehind Comcast's big TV deal: a bleak picture for once mighty cable industry
-
Entertainment2 days agoReview: A tense household becomes a metaphor for Iran's divisions in 'The Seed of the Sacred Fig'