2023 NLL First-Round Pick Payton Cormier Sets New NCAA Scoring Record

University of Virginia attack Payton Cormier made NCAA history, breaking the NCAA Division I scoring record over the weekend. 

The graduate student at the University of Virginia (UVA) was drafted fourth overall in the 2023 NLL Entry Draft by the Vancouver Warriors. 

Cormier is the all-time leading scorer for the Cavaliers and has tallied 222 goals throughout five seasons at the University of Viriginia, surpassing the previous record of 221 set by former Penn State and current San Diego Seals forward Mac O’Keefe. 

Cormier broke the career scoring record in the first round of the NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship against Saint Joseph’s, scoring a career-high eight goals. 

With those eight goals, the left-shot attackman also set a single-season goals record with 63 thus far and UVA’s new single-game scoring record in an NCAA Tournament game. Cormier broke his own single-game goals record from last year’s Tournament in which he had six goals in the Cavaliers’ first-round win over Richmond. 

The Oakville, Ont. native still has an opportunity to rack up more goals and add to his NCAA record as UVA is guaranteed at least one more game in this year’s Tournament, matching up in the quarterfinals against Johns Hopkins on Sunday, May 19. 

Cormier’s Season at a Glance 

• 75 points, 63 goals and 12 assists through 16 games this season. 
• Tallied a season-high nine points (7G, 2A) and a 41.2% shooting percentage against Towson in March. 
• Three-time ACC’s All-Offensive Player of the Week  
• All-ACC Honourable Mention Team.