Good morning. Here’s the latest from around the lacrosse world:
1. No. 3 Le Moyne cruised past No. 12 Grand Valley State at the US Lacrosse headquarters in Sparks, Md., Thursday afternoon. The Dolphins scored nine goals in each half to top the Lakers 18-5. Bryanna Fazio led Le Moyne with seven points on five goals and two assists, while Maddie Knapp added a hat trick.
"It takes a team to win" Live from the locker room 63 minutes 'til game time pic.twitter.com/JqopoexveF
— Le Moyne Women's Lax (@LeMoyneWLAX) March 9, 2017
2. No. 6 Rutgers has adopted a new culture under coach Brian Brecht, who established a transition-fueled philosophy that had worked so effectively for him at Siena. The Scarlet Knights are off to a hot start, now sitting with a 5-0 record before hosting No. 13 Stony Brook tonight at 6 p.m. (ET).
“What Brian has done is inject Rutgers with the same thing he had going at Siena. They know who they are and who they want to be, and they are identifying guys who fit their style,” Johns Hopkins coach Dave Pietramala said. “Rutgers is a place that should be able to compete well in lacrosse and do it consistently.”
3. John Grant Jr. is remaining hopeful that he will return to the field this season for the Colorado Mammoth after taking a hit Jan. 7 in their second game. The 42-year-old is following the team’s safety protocol to avoid rushing his recovery.
“I’m just sitting back and waiting ‘til I get the go-ahead,” he said. “Injuries are not something to play around with. I’ve done too much of that in the past, racing back before I’m ready.”
4. From the March edition of US Lacrosse Magazine, Team USA midfielder Myles Jones shared how he attacks a long-pole defenseman and Syracuse’s sidearm slinger Nicole Levy admitted she was inspired by the knuckle puck and the idea of a signature shot in the movie “The Mighty Ducks.”
What We’re Reading
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After assuming the No. 1 ranking in both the Nike/US Lacrosse and Inside Lacrosse polls, the #1 sign atop Notre Dame's Grace Hall was lit in honor of the team’s accomplishments.
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Lindenwood released a statement about the support the men’s lacrosse program has received over the past two days since sophomore midfielder Isaiah Kozak died.
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No. 11 Virginia and Cornell will face off in the Pacific Coast Shootout at Orange Coast College on Saturday. Why? The OC Register’s Jeff Miller explains why this shootout is considered lacrosse’s annual bowl game.
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After tallying a Patriot League-record nine assists last weekend, Loyola sophomore attackman Pat Spencer has helped his team to the No. 1 ranking in assists per game. The Baltimore Sun profiles the team’s philosophy of “spiking,” which means moving the ball through at least two passes on offense after scooping up a ground ball.
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Lyndall Hauver continues to raise awareness of Type 1 diabetes by sharing the story of her son, Will, a captain and midfielder for Rollins, who died from diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) after having complications with the flu in February 2015.
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The Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) announced the appointment of four individuals to the Women’s Officiating Leadership Team for the FIL Rathbones Women’s World Cup in Guildford, England, this July.
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North Oconee and Oconee County High School in Georgia will be offering two new sports for the 2017-18 school year – lacrosse and slow-pitch softball.
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R.J. Reynold High School junior Trejon Cannon, an African-American standout, picked up lacrosse because he enjoys the elements of football, basketball and soccer within pick plays.
What We’re Watching
In preparation for the Pacific Coast shootout against Cornell on Saturday, the Cavaliers put an emphasis on faceoffs and ground balls in front of the crease in their March 9 practice at Cathedral Catholic High School in San Diego, Calif.
Prior to practice, Virginia visited the Naval Special Warfare Center and learned that lacrosse players have the highest SEAL success rate of any sport.
Faceoff Drills have commenced #GoHoos
A post shared by Virginia Men's Lacrosse (@uvamenslacrosse) on
Picking garbage up around the crease #GoHoos
A post shared by Virginia Men's Lacrosse (@uvamenslacrosse) on
About to start an amazing morning with the SEALS! pic.twitter.com/QOyTb3rVyr
— Virginia Lacrosse (@UVAMensLacrosse) March 9, 2017
Fun Fact we learned. Lacrosse players have highest SEAL success rate of any sport. pic.twitter.com/8rJNxR1Vhr
— Virginia Lacrosse (@UVAMensLacrosse) March 9, 2017
SEALS obstacle course pic.twitter.com/l2i3B3rPbG
— Virginia Lacrosse (@UVAMensLacrosse) March 9, 2017
The "Grinder" #TheOnlyEasyDayWasYesterday pic.twitter.com/vKM4128nb7
— Virginia Lacrosse (@UVAMensLacrosse) March 9, 2017
What's On Tap
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On Friday, the lone Division I game among in the Nike/US Lacrosse Top 20 teams, both men and women, is the No. 6 Rutgers men against No. 13 Stony Brook.
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Saturday will be packed with action. For viewing options, check our TV Listings page, presented by Warrior.
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In Division I women’s lacrosse, there will be two Top 5 showdowns. No. 1 Maryland hosts No. 4 Syracuse at noon, while No. 3 Florida will face a tough opponent in No. 5 Stony Brook at 1 p.m.
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In Division I men’s lacrosse, the day is highlighted by three Top 20 matches – No. 2 Maryland vs. No. 14 Albany (3 p.m.), No. 4 North Carolina vs. No. 15 Hofstra (2:30 p.m.), and No. 9 Johns Hopkins vs. No. 17 Towson (12 p.m.).
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Sunday’s game of the day on the men’s side is No. 1 Notre Dame taking on No. 5 Denver at 1 p.m. On the women’s side, it’s No. 6 Penn State against No. 9 Colorado that will grab your attention, also at 1 p.m.