Professional PLL
06:00 PM
Jul 19
Phi
Den
Good morning. Here’s the latest from around the lacrosse world:
1. The New York Lizards yesterday took a step toward filling the void left by Greg Gurenlian's retirement, acquiring faceoff midfielder Brendan Fowler from the Charlotte Hounds. In exchange, Long Island sent Charlotte midfielder Jake Richard and its second-round pick in the 2018 Major League Lacrosse Collegiate Draft.
NEWS: @LizardsLacrosse acquire @brabbit_3 from @CharlotteMLL in exchange for Jake Richard and 2018 2nd round Collegiate Draft pick pic.twitter.com/DtVdhp5XqW
— Lax Sports Network (@LaxSportsNet) October 12, 2017
Fowler, a Long Island native and key cog in two NCAA champion teams at Duke, won 583 of 1,199 faceoffs (48.6 percent) with the Hounds since they selected him 13th overall in the 2014 draft. Twice the league named him an all-star, and this season he finished fourth in the MLL with 76 ground balls.
@BRabbit_3 Thanks for the heart and soul effort. All the best.
— Wade Leaphart (@Leaphart3) October 12, 2017
Richard, a Marquette alum, scored four goals and scooped 25 ground balls in two seasons with the Lizards. The Hounds gained the 14th overall pick in the upcoming draft.
The trade figures to provide Kevin Massa the chance to seize control at faceoffs for the Hounds. Massa was a three-time All-American and three-time Northeast Conference Player of the Year at Bryant, from which he graduated in 2015 with several NCAA and school faceoff records. Charlotte drafted him that year, but he didn't play until 2016. Last year, he won 43 of 83 faceoffs (51.8 percent) in five games.
2. The US Lacrosse National Teams Program took center stage over the weekend, as the outdoor men's team hosted Maryland and Towson in the Team USA Fall Classic. What did we learn? Matt DaSilva weighs in on that here.
Not to be overlooked, however, is the U.S. men's indoor team's Oct. 21 tango with rival Canada in the Heritage Cup. In the spirit of know-your-foe, Neil Stevens profiles veteran Canadian and NLL defenseman Billy Dee Smith. At 35, Smith relishes the chance to wear his country's colors again, especially against he perceives as a U.S. squad more potent than its 2015 FIL bronze medalist version.
“I'm glad the USA is bringing a stacked team,” Smith, a three-time FIL medalist, said. “They're definitely going to pose some difficulties for us. They're shifty and can shoot on the run.”
The Heritage Cup will draw at 7 p.m. ET Oct. 21 in the FirstOntario Centre in Hamilton. Tickets are on sale here.
3. Many reading this do not need a resuscitation of National Lacrosse Hall of Famer Dom Starsia's accomplishments as coach. Lately, he's become quite the writer. We're grateful for that. Here's Starsia's 10 principles of coaching and leadership. I've always liked doing my own laundry, so perhaps I have hope.
4. In the spirit of going home again, Kara Cannizzaro has joined the North Carolina women's staff as director of lacrosse operations. Cannizzaro led the Tar Heels to their first NCAA championship in 2013, earning most outstanding player honors for her four-goal, two-assist performance in North Carolina's 13-12 overtime win over Maryland. She won the Honda Award for lacrosse that season, in addition to All-American and All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors.
Cannizzaro returns to Chapel Hill, N.C., following a two-year sting as the head coach of the girls' team at Valor Christian (Colo.) High School.
5. The Team USA Fall Classic included a first-responders game and poignant ceremonies honoring firefighters and those that serve. Check out a photo gallery, courtesy of John Strohsacker.