GREENSBORO, N.C. (theACC.com) – Virginia has been chosen as the preseason favorite in the 2023 ACC Men’s Lacrosse Preseason Coaches Poll, which was released Tuesday following a vote of the league’s five head coaches. The Cavaliers totaled 23 points in the balloting, while Notre Dame was second with 21 points. Duke (14), North Carolina (9) and Syracuse (8) rounded out the poll.
The Preseason All-ACC Team consists of 13 student-athletes, led by Virginia with five selections. Duke has four honorees, while Notre Dame boasts three and North Carolina one.
Four ACC men’s lacrosse teams are ranked among the top 20 in the Inside Lacrosse Face-Off Yearbook Preseason Poll. Virginia tops the poll at No. 1, followed by Notre Dame (5), Duke (8) and North Carolina (19). Syracuse is receiving votes in the poll.
All 13 of the Preseason All-ACC selections also are represented on Inside Lacrosse’s 2023 Preseason Media All-America Team, with three first-team honorees, three second-team selections, two third-team picks and five Honorable Mention choices. In all, 20 ACC student-athletes – most of any conference – earned positions on the 2023 IL Preseason All-America Team.
The Preseason All-ACC Team features 10 returning Inside Lacrosse All-Americans, including three second-teamers. UVA’s Cole Kastner earned 2022 ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors and second-team All-America laurels, while Cavalier attackman Connor Shellenberger was a second-team All-American and a finalist for the 2022 Tewaaraton Award. North Carolina short-stick defenseman Connor Maher also was a second-team All-American in 2022.
The 2023 ACC men’s lacrosse schedule begins Saturday with Duke playing host to Bellarmine and Syracuse entertaining Vermont. North Carolina opens its season on Feb. 10 at home against Mercer, while Virginia starts its season Feb. 11 at home versus Michigan. Notre Dame begins its season on Feb. 15 at home against Marquette.
2023 ACC Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Virginia, 23
2. Notre Dame, 21
3. Duke, 14
4. North Carolina, 9
5. Syracuse, 8
2023 Preseason All-ACC Team
Attack
Pat Kavanagh, Sr., Notre Dame
Brennan O’Neill, Jr., Duke
Connor Shellenberger, Jr., Virginia
Midfield
Jeff Conner, Gr., Virginia
Eric Dobson, Jr., Notre Dame
Andrew McAdorey, So., Duke
Defense
Kenny Brower, Sr., Duke
Cole Kastner, Jr., Virginia
Cade Saustad, Sr., Virginia
Goalie: Liam Entenmann, Sr., Notre Dame
Face-off: Petey LaSalla, Gr., Virginia
Long-stick midfielder: Tyler Carpenter, Sr., Duke
Short-stick midfielder: Connor Maher, Gr., North Carolina