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

1. Syracuse has already been dealt a massive blow.

Emma Ward, a freshman sensation in 2021 who entered 2022 with high hopes of continuing her breakout, announced on Instagram that she will miss the entire season with a lower leg injury.

Last season, Syracuse dealt with lower leg injuries to Emily Hawryschuk and Megan Carney and still made a run to the NCAA championship game — and much of that had to do with Ward’s emergence.

More here.

2. The North Carolina men are going to be incredibly young in the midfield.

Joe Breschi estimates that four of his top nine guys at the position will be freshmen, meaning it’s a puzzle as to who plays best together. But UNC, ranked No. 6 in our Nike / USA Lacrosse Preseason Top 20, still has plenty of buzz about it entering the season.

More here.

3. Is Maryland back?

It’s always Championship Weekend or bust for the Maryland women’s lacrosse team, but after a relatively down period, it looks as if Cathy Reese’s program has reloaded via the transfer portal.

The additions of Aurora Cordingley, Abby Bosco and Clancy Rheude have people anxious to see this new era of Maryland on the turf.

More here.

4. The New York Riptide earned their first win of the NLL season in a one-goal nailbiter. That and more scores from the weekend:

FRIDAY

Georgia 12, Rochester 8

SATURDAY

Buffalo vs. Halifax (postponed)
Philadelphia 18, Rochester 10

SUNDAY

New York 13, Philadelphia 12

WHAT WE’RE READING

• In NLL Week 7, Kevin and Steve Orleman manned opposite creases as two siblings played goalie against each other for the first time in pro sports in over 40 years.

• Our latest “Give & Go” subject is Athletes Unlimited pro Molly Little.

• Your artwork keeps blowing us away. Check out fan-submitted essays and art from the January edition.

• The PLL player signing window opens Monday.

• Lacrosse Bucket’s Tanner Demling highlights five men’s teams with big potential in 2022.

WHAT WE’RE WATCHING

The season is so close, we can almost taste it.

Another day in the life #BeTheBest pic.twitter.com/9713wATgkz

— Maryland Lacrosse (@TerpsMLax) January 19, 2022

WHAT’S ON TAP

We continue our trek through the Nike/USA Lacrosse Division I Preseason Top 20s with previews on our No. 5 teams — Stony Brook (women) and Notre Dame (men).

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