Virginia lacrosse teams brace for NCAAs

The Virginia lacrosse teams both anticipated playing for a national championship this month. They just never expected it to be like this.

The men’s and women’s teams awaited word of their NCAA tournament seedings Sunday night, a day after women’s player Yeardley Love was buried in her native Maryland. The 22-year-old was found beaten in her apartment earlier in the week and Charlottesville authorities have charged George Huguely of the men’s team with first-degree murder.

Both teams decided to play on with the support of Love’s family.

The Cavaliers men’s team was given the top seed in the 16-team field. Appearing for the 17th time in coach Dom Starsia’s 18 seasons, Virginia will host Mount St. Mary’s on Saturday night. It will not only be the first game for the team since the program was rocked by the slaying, but also since Starsia’s father died Friday after a long illness.

The women’s team, making its 15th consecutive trip to the tournament under coach Julie Myers, was given a No. 6 and will play at home against Towson on Sunday.

The off-the-field events have left both squads having to find ways to put aside their grief long enough to focus on competing in the tournament.