In a landmark event for Virginia men's lacrosse, the Cavaliers (3-3, 0-0 ACC) secured a commanding victory Saturday over Townson, pulling away from the Tigers (1-5, 0-0 CAA) in the second half for a decisive 11-6 win. The matchup, held at the Kinkaid School in Houston, Texas, marked Virginia's inaugural appearance in the Lone Star State, expanding the program's footprint and showcasing the sport's growing national appeal.
This week also marked the first time since 2018 that the Cavaliers have not appeared in the USILA top 20, following a heartbreaking 13-12 loss to Johns Hopkins last week. And while the Doyle Smith Cup represented Virginia's best performance of the season, bad losses to No. 13 Richmond and No. 15 Ohio State earlier have raised concerns.
Saturday's win against Towson — a program that went undefeated in the CAA and dropped only four games in 2024 — might offer a glimmer of hope for the Cavaliers. This was the team’s first win away from Klöckner Stadium so far this season.
As for Towson, its season-opener against the Blue Jays ended, just like Virginia’s game last week, in a one-goal loss. However, the Tigers have won just one game this season, a narrow victory over UMBC.
The first half Saturday opened with a burst of energy from the Cavaliers, as sophomore attackman McCabe Millon found the back of the net after less than one minute, for his eighth goal of the season. The early score set the tone for what quickly turned into a heated contest — Towson was quick to answer, scoring two goals in three minutes to establish an early lead.
Virginia's offense showcased moments of brilliance as the Cavaliers looked to regain control. Millon and junior attackman Truit Sunderland operated as the team's initial offensive engine, combining for Virginia's first four goals of the game. Their chemistry was evident, with Sunderland assisting on two of Millon's goals while also finding the net himself. Still, the Cavaliers struggled to create significant separation as Towson’s defense, led by senior goalie Luke Downs, held firm.
The Tigers’ defensive resilience peaked in the second quarter when Downs completely shut out the Cavaliers’ attack, allowing Towson to build a 4-3 lead heading into halftime. Virginia's inability to generate offensive momentum began to sow anxiety among Cavalier fans, especially given the team's slow start to the season.
Yet despite the halftime deficit, Virginia had shown promise. Their offensive sets were crisp, their ride was aggressive and the defense — albeit vulnerable at times — showed signs of cohesion. Heading into the locker room, the energy on the Cavaliers’ sideline was tense but not defeated.
Virginia emerged from the locker room with a newfound sense of urgency, and it showed. The Cavaliers dominated the third quarter from the first whistle, as their defense tightened to stifle Towson’s offensive efforts.
Leading the charge 30 minutes from his hometown was senior goalkeeper Matthew Nunes, who made his first start of the season and played the full game. Nunes racked up 15 total saves, seven of which came in the third quarter alone, effectively shutting down the Tigers’ offense for an entire 15 minutes.
“Starting with [Matthew] Nunes in the goal — boy, was that reminiscent of what he did so often the first three years here as a Virginia Cavalier,” Coach Lars Tiffany said. “The confidence he gives the entire defense, not only in making saves — which he did a whole lot of today — but in terms of the riding and clearing. What a wonderful moment for Matt Nunes to be able to come home and lead us to victory.”
While Nunes held strong in the cage, Virginia's offense came alive. Sunderland and junior attackman Ryan Colsey began to exploit the gaps in Towson’s defense, converting precise feeds into quick goals. Colsey, who had been relatively quiet through the first half, delivered a powerful shot to tie the game at 4-4. Just minutes later, Sunderland added another, giving Virginia its first lead since the opening minutes of the game.
By the end of the third quarter, the Cavaliers had flipped the script entirely. Virginia scored four unanswered goals and entered the final quarter with a comfortable 7-4 lead. Momentum was finally swinging in their favor, and it became clear that the Cavaliers had found their rhythm.
Virginia continued to apply relentless pressure in the fourth quarter — Sunderland and Colsey both elevated their season totals to 16 and 17 goals, respectively. Towson managed to find the net twice more, but it was not enough. With Nunes making key saves and the offense capitalizing on opportunities, Virginia walked away with its most complete performance of the season.
While the win offered a temporary sigh of relief, it did little to answer the lingering questions surrounding this Cavalier squad. Virginia has struggled to find consistency, and its upcoming schedule is unforgiving. Next Saturday, the Cavaliers will return to Klöckner Stadium to face undefeated No. 1 Maryland — a perennial powerhouse and perhaps Virginia's toughest test yet.
For the Cavaliers to turn this season around, they will need to use more of the confidence built in their performance against the Tigers. Nunes’s strong showing in the cage suggests some clarity in the goalkeeper situation, but questions remain. The next few weeks will determine whether this year's Cavaliers are contenders or simply a team still searching for its identity.
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