Saturday night’s men’s lacrosse game at the University of Virginia was both the first round of the NCAA tournament and the first game since one of the team’s seniors was arrested and charged with murder in the death of a women’s lacrosse player. But in many ways it was just another game.
There was a moment of silence at the start of the game, and some people wore ribbons, in honor of the slain Yeardley Love. But mostly, the focus for fans seemed to be on getting back to lacrosse.
Children played in the grass, hot air balloons drifted past and a healthy — though not sold-out — crowd roared in approval every time the home team scored.
Chris Lawson, from Greene County, said the UVa lacrosse teams need to remember what happened but keep moving forward.
“I just love to hear that the teams have come together,” he said.
He added, “It just shows there’s good atmosphere and camaraderie throughout the athletic department.”
Both teams decided to play in the wake of Love’s death.
She was found early on the morning of May 3 in her apartment, facedown on a bloody pillow. Later that day, police arrested George Huguely, a men’s lacrosse player, and charged him with first-degree murder.
According to court documents, Huguely told police that he kicked through Love’s bedroom door and shook her as her head bounced off a wall.
Neil Powell, of Charlottesville, played lacrosse with some of UVa’s current players during his time at St. Anne’s-Belfield School.
He said that the teams were in an awkward position when they had to decide whether to play, because they were likely to receive criticism whatever their choice.
He predicted the team would play well even with a media spotlight shined firmly upon it. The press box at Saturday’s game was full nearly to overflowing, with dozens of reporters covering a sport that usually attracts relatively few.
“I think they’ll be able to finish strong despite what’s been going on,” Powell said.
Also at the game Saturday was UVa’s outgoing president, John T. Casteen III. He said he was glad to see the team playing again.
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