Virginia Lacrosse Set To Embrace Pressure Of NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals

Virginia Cavaliers Lars Tiffany
Virginia coach Lars Tiffany will try to lead his program back to the Final Four with a win this weekend. ~ Photo courtesy of Virginia Athletics Media Relations/Matt Riley

While the internet excitedly waits for this time of year for the Justin Timberlake memes, college lacrosse players eagerly dream about May for entirely different reasons. That’s because this month represents the postseason and for programs like Virginia, that usually means an opportunity to play for a National Championship.

2023 is no different in that regard. The Hoos stand at 12-3 after opening the NCAA Tournament with a 17-8 win against Richmond last weekend. They’re headed to Albany on Saturday to take on Georgetown in a noon game that will award a spot in the Final Four for Memorial Day weekend, the cherished crown jewel of college lacrosse.

Virginia coach Lars Tiffany, who grew up near Syracuse in upstate New York, said that playoff lacrosse near the sport’s birthplace with the Haudenosaunee is “like a dream come true” and a moment to embrace.

“There’s certainly pressure, but we talk a lot about pressure and we turn it around into obviously being a privilege but really enjoy it, squeeze it, and it’s fun,” Tiffany said. “This is what we work all year for. This is what you dream about as a kid to be in playoff lacrosse in front of a big crowd.”

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