The top-ranked and defending national champion Virginia men's lacrosse team began its title defense with a win Saturday, as the Cavaliers won 9-8 at 20th-ranked Drexel.
Redshirt freshman Owen Van Arsdale was a big factor in the victory.
The former Saint Anne's-Belfield star led UVA with two goals and one assist in his first collegiate game.
The goals came back-to-back in the third quarter, and gave Virginia a 7-5 lead against the Dragons.
Van Arsdale is starting at attack in his first season with the team.
The freshman is no stranger to the program, as his father, Marc Van Arsdale, is in his 11th season as the top assistant on coach Dom Starsia's Staff.
"This is going to sound awfully obvious, but he plays like a coaches son," says Starsia. "He's very much like his dad, very smart. The other guys enjoy playing with him, because he's always doing the right thing."
Senior attackman Steele Stanwick says, "He played great. He stepped up huge, and hit some big time shots. He pricked up right from where he's been playing in practice."
Owen Van Arsdale adds, "Being the third attackman on this team, I have so many other guys around me, I don't need to do too much. I just need to finish when the opportunity presents itself."
Virginia will play its home opener Tuesday against VMI at Klockner Stadium.
