On this day 12 years ago, Nathan Kenney ’01 helped the University of Virginia win the third men’s lacrosse National Championship in school history. The sophomore midfielder had 4 goals and 2 assists for the Cavaliers during the 2003 campaign, but it was his defense that helped the Wahoos overcome a talented Johns Hopkins squad and earn the crown.

With Virginia holding a two-goal lead midway through the fourth quarter, Kenney leveled a hit on a Blue Jay, dislodging the ball and securing it for the Cavaliers. On the ensuing possession Virginia would score it’s ninth and final goal of the game en route to a 9-7 win.

Kenney would finish his career with Syracuse in 2006, helping the Orange reach the Final Four. In the semifinal match-up versus his old squad, Virginia, Kenney literally ripped a hole in the net on a third quarter goal.

Championship mettle runs in the Kenney family as his older brothers each won titles: Jake ’96 with Princeton in 1997 and 1998 and Derek ’98 with Virginia in 1999. Derek was the starting goalie for the Cavaliers as a freshman, leading them to their first National Championship in 27 years.

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