Good morning. Here’s the latest from around the lacrosse world:

1. The PLL-MLL merger continued to dominate the conversation Thursday. US Lacrosse Magazine’s Nelson Rice and Matt Hamilton collaborated on this story canvassing players from both leagues for their reactions to the news and what it might mean for the future of pro lacrosse.

“Yesterday was a day of unification for pro lacrosse,” PLL co-founder Paul Rabil later tweeted. “Today we get back to work.”

Yesterday was a day of unification for pro lacrosse. Today we get back to work. @PremierLacrosse pic.twitter.com/vdYcowxQFp

— Paul Rabil (@PaulRabil) December 18, 2020

While the Boston Cannons (in name, at least) will be a part of the PLL as the rebranded Cannons Lacrosse Club after an expansion draft, several other legacy MLL teams said their goodbyes.

What a ride!

Thank you to our fans. pic.twitter.com/Mcai0pSa7S

— Denver Outlaws (@DenverOutlaws) December 17, 2020

Six titles in 20 years

We are so grateful for our fans, players and alumni. pic.twitter.com/7bo3XGXS4C

— Chesapeake Bayhawks (@TheBayhawks) December 17, 2020

Thank you, Philly pic.twitter.com/uAwvOkZESz

— Philadelphia Barrage (@phillybarrage) December 17, 2020

Denver Outlaws captain Max Adler, ESPN analyst Quint Kessenich and PLL head of player experience Brian Silcott also posted tributes to MLL, which operated for 20 seasons.

Wearing a @DenverOutlaws jersey has been the best experience of my life. Thank you to to the entire organization for believing in me, the fans who made Denver feel like home, and to my teammates who were family to me. Wouldn’t change a thing. I’ll always be an Outlaw. pic.twitter.com/HVDWCIMJup

— Max Adler (@maxman_99) December 17, 2020

20 yrs of MLL
What a fun way to tour the country.
Thank you @BodyByJake
The players delivered, pushed the envelope.
Innovation & creative play.
Working w/ @JoeBpXp priceless.
The fans were energizing.
Lucky I had the best seat in the house.
We’ll keep pushing. pic.twitter.com/FSoSQwJmxb

— Quint Kessenich (@QKessenich) December 16, 2020

If I was to have a favorite @PremierLacrosse team I think the Cannons Lacrosse Club would need to be mine. I had a lot of fun running around in a @BostonCannons uniform. Great to see the brand in the league! pic.twitter.com/VBQn2g6JhS

— Brian Silcott (@BrianSilcottPLL) December 17, 2020

2. In other PLL news, the Whipsnakes announced on Twitter that Joe LoCascio has retired. An All-American midfielder at Maryland, LoCascio played for four seasons in MLL and two seasons in the PLL, winning two PLL titles with the Whips.

“When you realize you can no longer give the time and prep required to your teammates to perform at your highest level and produce in the way they deserve, a decision needs to be made,” LoCascio said in a statement posted by the team.

We wouldn’t be back to back champs without @Jo_Lo5

Cheers to an unbelievable career. pic.twitter.com/zMmvn4NBDj

— Whipsnakes Lacrosse Club (@PLLWhipsnakes) December 17, 2020

3. The latest story in our partnership with Blaxers Blog features Justin Porter’s lacrosse journey. The former Hobart standout is the founder of The Lacrosse School, a year-round school program based out of Chicago.

WHAT WE’RE READING

• US Lacrosse is doubling down on its efforts to add box lacrosse to its programming, including a customized track for the indoor game at next month’s virtual LaxCon.

• About Tyson Bell’s fashion preferences, a Lacrosse All Stars rebuttal of sorts to a similar post by his cousin Latrell Harris.

• Kyle Devitte’s “20 Years of MLL” timeline published by Inside Lacrosse earlier this year — a pertinent read, Paul Tutka tweeted, given the recent news.

• Ryan Conwell’s deep dive on the PLL-MLL merger for Lacrosse All Stars.

• Julia Dorsey, UNC’s latest soccer-lacrosse crossover star, envisions pro soccer in her future, the Daily Tar Heel reports.

WHAT WE’RE WATCHING

Highlights of Cal’s Jake Pistotnik, who was our MCLA Division I Preseason Player of the Year leading up to the 2020 campaign. Skip to the 19-second mark to see the hole he left in the net after a blistering shot.

Jake Pistotnik, ladies and gentlemen...
He did it all.#tbt #GoBears @MCLA @PremierLacrosse pic.twitter.com/lDIvPoQfDf

— Cal Men's Lacrosse (@CalBearsLax) December 18, 2020

WHAT’S ON TAP

• The latest in Impact Athletes, presented by NCSA — a US Lacrosse series on high schoolers making a difference in their communities.

• US Lacrosse’s Lauren Davenport on healing and justice.

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