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

1. The U.S. men’s national team went undefeated at the Team USA Fall Classic at US Lacrosse headquarters this weekend, escaping Maryland 10-9 and handling Towson 22-2.

The one-goal game against the reigning national champion shed light into areas of improvement for the U.S, including the need for longer possessions without a shot clock at the international level. Team USA improved against Towson, not allowing a goal until the third quarter.

Coach John Danowski plans to announce the final roster for the 2018 FIL Men’s World Championship after the Team USA Spring Premiere in January. 

“Coming into January, we want to build off the momentum we built this past week,” said U.S. midfielder Jake Froccaro. “Obviously, the end goal is to win the championship, so we have to cater everything toward the many games we will play [in Israel].”

Prior to Sunday's game against Towson, US Lacrosse unveiled a new exhibit in the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame and Museum to honor the memory, spirit and legacy of more than 70 members of the lacrosse community whose lives were lost on Sept. 11, 2001. In a memorial game following the dedication of the exhibit, team Pentagon defeated team Twin Towers 12-9.

2. Ohio State defeated the Ohio Machine 12-10 in the inaugural Ohio Lacrosse Fall Classic on Sunday, which featured MLL rules, including a 60-second shot clock and two-point line.

Buckeyes coach Nick Myers and his players were in favor of the shot clock after practicing with the experimental rule that the NCAA allowed for fall ball.  

After a championship season for the MLL team, Machine coach Bear Davis enjoyed bringing the 2017 final four team to Fortress Obetz to showcase the sport to the Ohio community.

3. Syracuse lacrosse, both men and women, cancelled all practices and scrimmages for the remainder of fall ball due to an outbreak of mumps on campus.

Eight students, including some men’s and women’s lacrosse players, have been diagnosed with the disease. The university has been working with the Onondaga County Health Department to respond.

"Our student-athletes' safety, and the safety of all students, faculty and staff, remains our top priority," said Syracuse athletic director John Wildhack. "After continued discussions, and with great counsel from the state and county, we are confident this is the right call."

4. US Lacrosse announced Friday the formation of the National Teams Development Program (NTDP).

The NTDP aims to increase and improve the player pool for U.S. national teams and provide regional opportunities for high school players to receive high performance training.

“The goal is to identify kids with potential and groom them for our national teams program,” said Melissa Coyne, director of the NTDP and a former U.S. U19 national team player. “It’s also a system of development that will benefit a larger audience of high school players even if they don’t end up on our national team.”

What We’re Reading

  • The Georgia Swarm announced Friday the signing of Zed Williams, Mason Jones and Isaiah Davis-Allen.

  • Kelly Devlin, who won two national championships with North Carolina, was named a volunteer assistant coach for Navy. 

  • Saint Joseph’s men’s lacrosse added alum Charles Giunta as a volunteer assistant.

  • Manatee High became the first public school in Manatee County, Fla., to add boys’ and girls’ lacrosse as FHSAA sports.

  • Helen McCutcheon, a first-team All-American lacrosse player at Chatham High (N.J.) in 2007, was named the school’s new girls’ lacrosse coach.

  • The New Jersey lacrosse community held a memorial for Dick Rizk, the former Boonton head coach who died Aug. 15.

  • A candlelight vigil was held Sunday for former Male High School (Ky.) lacrosse player Berlin Cole, who died in a car crash late Friday night.

What We’re Watching

After an alumni game on Saturday, the Onondaga Community College men’s lacrosse players received their 2017 championship rings. Head coach Chuck Wilbur, who has been at the helm of the program for 17 seasons, has led the Lazers to 10 NJCAA championships. At the ring ceremony, the turf field at OCC was renamed “Chuck Wilbur Field.”

The Fort Missoula Regional Park in Montana received new turf fields. The Montana Griz lacrosse team tested the new fields on Sunday, hosting the annual Montana Lacrosse Shootout featuring both high school and collegiate teams.

What’s On Tap

  • Keep an eye out for a highlight reel from the Team USA Fall Classic on the US Lacrosse Youtube channel this week!

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