Virginia Lacrosse: Senior goalkeeper Matt Barrett arrested for drug possession

New Virginia men’s lacrosse head coach Lars Tiffany faces his first big test at the helm as he may have to replace his starting goalkeeper. Matt Barrett, who started every game for Virginia last season, was arrested and charged for drug possession in Ocean City, Maryland earlier this month on August 12.

Both Inside Lacrosse and Whitelaw Reid of the Daily Progress received confirmation of Barrett’s indefinite suspension from an athletic department spokesperson, but Tiffany has made no statement on the topic.

According to a report in Ocean City Today, “...police noticed Barrett was cutting white powder using a credit card on the kitchen table. After entering the unit and asking Barrett about the white powder, police reported he first claimed it was Adderall before admitting it was cocaine.”

The police had originally entered the residence in response to a noise complaint.

Barrett, who is entering his fourth year at UVA, was a second team All-American in 2015 and finished the 2016 season with a 7-8 record and a 47.6% save percentage.

Third-year Will Railey and walk-on fourth-year Will Montgomery will be joined by incoming first-year Griffin Thompson as goalkeeper options. Railey seems to be the best bet, but he has limited experience with less than 54 minutes played last season over the span of eight games. In those eight games, Railey had eight saves, four goals against, and a 66.7% save percentage. Thompson, coming to UVA from the Lawrenceville School in New Jersey, missed his junior season with a series of hip injuries that required surgery, but had a successful senior year.