Lacrosse Teams, Athletic Dept. Shocked by Death and Arrest

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Updated: 2:52 PM Feb 5, 2012 Lacrosse Teams, Athletic Dept. Shocked by Death and Arrest The Virginia men's and women's lacrosse teams are both dealing with the loss of a player, one whose life came to a tragic end, and one who is charged with her murder. Posted: 10:20 AM May 5, 2010 Reporter: Marc Davis Email Address: marc.davis@newsplex.com	Photos courtesy UVa Athletics.

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May 3, 2010

The Cavalier men's and women's lacrosse teams are both in shock after the murder of women's player Yeardley Love and the arrest and first degree murder charges of men's player George Huguely. While both teams find themselves having success on the field, lacrosse took a back seat Monday morning.

Huguely was a senior midfielder for Dom Starsia's men and appeared in all 15 games this season. He scored four goals and dished out three assists, while scooping up five ground balls during his senior season. He was taken under arrest less than 48 hours after he completed his senior day game at Klockner Stadium, a 18-9 win over Robert Morris. The win improved Virginia's record to 14-1. The Cavaliers will discover their NCAA Tournament seed and first round site on Sunday. They will most likely be the number one overall seed in the tournament and will probably host first round action.

Huguely was a standout lacrosse and football player at the Landon Prep School outside of Washington, DC, before coming to Virginia. He was an anthropology major at UVa.

Love appeared in all 15 games during her senior season, starting in three of them, and picking up eight ground balls. As a defender, she did not have the opportunity to score goals, but did do a good job of keeping opponents away from Virginia's goal. She saw her most success in 2009, when she started nine of the 16 games she played in and scored a career high six goals. The Cavalier women are 13-5 on the season.

University of Virginia Athletic Director, Craig Littlepage, said during a press conference Monday that the entire athletic community is shocked and "torn apart" by the news. Littlepage added that a decision on whether to cancel the remainder of the men's and/or women's lacrosse seasons has "not even entered our thoughts yet." He went on to say that there will be a point in the next few days when those conversations will take place between coaches, players and the administration. Littlepage also added that when things like this happen, young people feel better when they can return to normalcy. He went onto say that at this point in time, the athletics department is not leaning one way or the other and that all of the concerns are with the Love family, the players, and the coaches.

Littlepage also talked about the reactions of the coaches when he spoke with them. "Mourning, grieving, feelings and expressions of disbelief. How could this happen to such a wonderful person, a person described as an angel by teammates and friends."

Both teams met on Monday, and the Cavalier men were encouraged to use the resources available to them provided by the university and to lean on each other for support.

Latest Comments

Posted by: Dee Location: Charlottesville on May 6, 2010 at 10:07 PM

Have you seen the graduation rate, as well as the GPAs of athletes at UVa? Those athletes have to maintain a high standard to play... and there is a very high percentage that do. This tragic event can not be blamed on the sport.

Posted by: Mary Location: Charlottesville on May 4, 2010 at 06:38 PM

This guy had a history of violence (resisting arrest in Lexington). Why was he allowed to continue to play sports for UVA? That should be a privilege not a right.

Posted by: Eva Location: Orange on May 4, 2010 at 06:15 PM

Why is so much emphasis spent on sports in these colleges? Students attend to expand their intellect and not be ranked number one in the nation. Let these universities get back to educating our children and not feeding the overfed egos of these so-called jocks who have no conscience!

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