Virginia's Briggs won't start in NCAA final
Virginia’s Colin Briggs got the green light to play, but the redshirt sophomore midfielder will not start when the No. 7 seed Cavaliers (12-5) meet unseeded Maryland (13-4) in the NCAA tournament final on Monday.
The starting lineups for both teams were announced, and Briggs was not included in the first midfield. Sophomore Matt White, who usually plays attack, will join senior John Haldy and freshman Rob Emery on the first line.
Briggs did not play in Virginia’s 14-8 defeat of No. 6 seed Denver in Saturday’s semifinal due to what was called a coach’s decision.
Coach Dom Starsia had confirmed Sunday afternoon that Briggs would return, saying only, “Available for tomorrow.”
Briggs registered 24 goals and 12 assists in eight starts this season, including one goals in each of the team’s first two contests in this postseason.
