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

1. The Boston Cannons are Major League Lacrosse champions.

For the first time since 2011, the Cannons are at the top of the MLL world. Boston, one of the league’s original franchises, fitting won the 20^th anniversary championship at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Md., Sunday afternoon, a 13-10 triumph over the Denver Outlaws in John Grant Jr.’s final game as a player.

John Uppgren scored five goals to lift up the offense, and Nick Marrocco made 10 saves — denying Grant three times late in the game. Grant did have one goal and one assist.

Bryce Wasserman was named the league’s Most Valuable Player. Read the full recap here. 

2. The championship weekend was not without some controversy.

Given the unprecedented state of the world and the ongoing health crisis, Major League Lacrosse did everything possible to maintain the health of its staff and players. But it was revealed Saturday morning that three Chesapeake Bayhawks players tested positive for COVID-19.

The Bayhawks and Connecticut Hammerheads were set to play in one of the day’s two semifinal games, but after testing, both teams opted to drop out of the tournament — thus setting up Boston-Denver in the championship game.

Katherine Fominykh of the Capital Gazette did a deep dive on the league’s protocols and included reports from what she had heard from inside the bubble.

3. There was, however, a feel-good story from MLL action this weekend.

Ronnie Fernando, the league’s 31-year-old emergency goalkeeper, dressed for both the Bayhawks and Cannons Friday night, as Brian Phipps and Marrocco, respectively, were out of commission. Fernando did not play in either contest, but he was on both teams’ rosters.

We spoke to Fernando after the conclusion of Friday night’s action. Check it out here. 

4. The Premier Lacrosse League Championship Series is here.

On Saturday, the Whipsnakes bested the Redwoods in a rematch of last year’s championship game. The new-look Chrome also made a statement, topping Chaos 13-9.

There was just one game Sunday, a nationally broadcast contest on NBC between Atlas and the expansion Waterdogs. Despite a convincing first half, the Waterdogs fell 11-10 on a winner from Chris Cloutier.

SATURDAY RECAP
SUNDAY RECAP

5. US Lacrosse issued a statement regarding the Iroquois Nationals.

In response to a petition on social media regarding the exclusion of the Iroquois Nationals from the 2022 World Games in Birmingham, Al., US Lacrosse said that it “stands firmly in support of the Iroquois Nationals’ participation as a sovereign nation in international lacrosse competitions, including The World Games 2022.”

You can read the full statement here.

Matt DaSilva wrote about the ongoing debate regarding sovereignty of the Iroquois Nationals. The story breaks down the intricacies of the debate. Read it here.

WHAT WE’RE READING

• Trish Adams, the Australian national team star and sister of Loyola women’s coach Jen Adams, is the latest subject of “The Vault.” 

• Learn how to master the backdoor exit and drop-step defensive exit off the faceoff from Alex Woodall of the New York Riptide and Philadelphia Barrage. 

• Boden Bounds and Katie Sullivan are the latest students to be recognized as US Lacrosse Impact Athletes by USL and NCSA.

• Nelson Rice profiles Eddy Glazener, the consummate pro who doesn’t pop off the page but does all the little things to perfection for the Redwoods. 

• New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick appeared on NBC’s PLL broadcast on Saturday to talk football. He likened Cam Newton, his new quarterback, to Redwoods middie Myles Jones.

• The Pittsburgh women’s team has added graduate transfer Madisyn Kittell from the University of Florida. 

• Brodie Merrill, currently playing in the Championship Series for the Waterdogs, agreed to play another year for the NLL’s San Diego Seals. 

WHAT WE’RE WATCHING

Nick Marrocco stood on his head against John Grant Jr., earning him MLL Play of the Day honors.

 

 

 

 

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MLL CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY OF THE DAY @nickmarrocco1 Nick Marrocco stones the John Grant Jr., one of 10 saves to lead @laxcannons to the Steinfeld Trophy.

A post shared by US Lacrosse Magazine (@uslacrossemag) on Jul 26, 2020 at 6:40pm PDT

WHAT’S ON TAP

• We recognize each of the Hometown Heroes of Major League Lacrosse, a joint effort between MLL and US Lacrosse.

• Dom Starsia pens his latest column.

• Two more PLL games on tap as the Championship Series is in full swing.

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