Good morning. Here’s the latest from around the lacrosse world:
We love lacrosse and Valentine’s Week ended with the busiest lacrosse weekend in Division I lacrosse since the pandemic hit in 2020. Here’s a quick look at what happened.
1. Last year’s NCAA men’s championship game foes — Virginia and Maryland — continue to roll. The Cavaliers, No. 1 in the Nike/USA Lacrosse rankings, overcame an early 4-1 deficit to beat Towson 18-9 on Saturday, while Maryland, No. 1 in the USILA poll, won in the Carrier Dome on Sunday, beating Syracuse 14-10.
JOHNNY DONVILLE BACKHANDER @TerpsMLax goes back up four goals thanks to this beauty. pic.twitter.com/PWlpHFoQ1D
— USA Lacrosse Magazine (@USALacrosseMag) February 20, 2022
2. The Maryland women also look ready to put two “down” years in the rear view mirror following 2019’s national championship season. The Terps improved to 3-0 with a second half comeback win over Virginia, 17-13.
3. More than 7,000 fans were in the Carrier Dome to witness Syracuse hang on for a thrilling 12-11 victory over Stony Brook in a Top 5 women’s lacrosse showcase game.
4. Ohio State posted the biggest upset of the weekend in men’s lacrosse, erupting for 20 goals in a 20-8 victory over No. 5 North Carolina. Hobart also posted a Top 10 upset, beating Lehigh 14-13 for its first victory over a Top 20 team since 2016.
5. The biggest upset in women’s lacrosse was Vanderbilt handing No. 12 Notre Dame its second straight loss with the Commodores posting a 14-12 win in Nashville on a Saturday that also saw North Carolina top Florida in a Top 10 showdown.
Taylor Warehime scores while falling down. Incredible poise. @uncwlax leads @GatorsLAX 7-5 in the first half. pic.twitter.com/RQmRJjdlwk
— USA Lacrosse Magazine (@USALacrosseMag) February 19, 2022
6. The Ivy League returned to full play after most teams played extremely limited or no games in 2021 and it was a successful Saturday for the most part, though Penn’s men lost a tight game against No. 3 Georgetown.
7. Duke’s men bounced back from last week’s loss to Jacksonville as nine players scored in a 19-10 victory over No. 10 Denver.
WHAT WE’RE READING
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Facing its first 0-2 start since 2008, James Madison dug deep and came back to beat Connecticut 15-8 at USA Lacrosse headquarters on Saturday.
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Maddy Hunter could have played her fifth year of lacrosse elsewhere, but after the support she received at Arizona State following injuries and the loss of her father, there was nowhere else she wanted to be.
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The Baltimore Sun looks at the struggles of the challenges for programs like Stony Brook and James Madison that have to earn at-large bids to the NCAA tournament due to conference realignment.
WHAT WE’RE WATCHING
We saw all kinds of weather this weekend, but is there anything more scenic than a good snow lacrosse game? This one from Elizabethtown.
Keep sending your #SnowGame photos.
— USA Lacrosse Magazine (@USALacrosseMag) February 19, 2022
This one comes from @EtownCollege. pic.twitter.com/ncdimcj5BM
A 3-0 week for Jacksonville gives John Galloway a stage.
*runs through brick wall*
— USA Lacrosse Magazine (@USALacrosseMag) February 19, 2022
Boy can @JohnGalloway15 give a speech. @JAX_MLAX completed a 3-0 week. pic.twitter.com/vmnl73jDvn
WHAT’S ON TAP
Just two games on the Division I schedule today, Hampton hosts VMI in men’s lacrosse and Vermont hosts Merrimack in women’s lacrosse. Watch all the action using our TV Listings guide.