March 9, 2009

GREENSBORO, N.C. - Virginia's Chad Gaudet was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Men's Lacrosse Player of the Week for the period ending on Sunday, March 8. Gaudet helped his Cavaliers remain undefeated last week, including an impressive second-half performance to break open a tight contest and defeat No. 4 Cornell 14-10 on Sunday.

On Tuesday against VMI, Gaudet won five-of-seven faceoffs (.714) and led UVa with four ground balls. The transfer student, who graduated from Dartmouth last year, also caused a turnover in the non-conference victory. His first two faceoff wins led directly to Cavalier goals No. 2 and No. 3 as the team scored the game's first six goals. Gaudet played just over one quarter before hitting the sidelines with UVa ahead comfortably, 8-1.

He won 16-of-24 faceoff attempts (.667) against No. 4 Cornell Sunday to help lead UVa to a 14-10 win over the previously undefeated Big Red. He also had a season and team-high nine ground balls and caused one turnover.

After falling behind for the first time all season, (7-6 at halftime) Virginia erupted in the second half to take a 14-8 lead late in the game, due in large part to Gaudet's ability to control faceoffs and get possession for his team. In the second half he won 11-of-13 and scooped seven ground balls.

Gaudet won the third quarter faceoff as Virginia scored in the opening minute to tie the score. He then won three of the next four faceoffs as Virginia erased the deficit and took at 10-8 lead going into the fourth quarter. In the final quarter Gaudet won all seven faceoffs as the lead grew to as many as six goals. Three of the first four attempts he won in the quarter led to quick goals as Virginia seized the momentum and was never really threatened for the final 10 minutes of the game.

Virginia returns to action at home at Klöckner Stadium on Tuesday night against Vermont, coached by former UVa All-American defenseman Ryan Curtis. The game is scheduled to start at 7 pm. ET.

-ACC-