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

1. The lacrosse emoji is officially coming to phones this year. After over 15 months of work to bring the lacrosse emoji to the world, it was approved for the Unicode 11.0 update, which could reach iPhones as early as September or October.

The lacrosse emoji was included along with approximately 157 others that were voted on by the Unicode Technical Committee last month. The news marks the end of the proposal process for Nicole Bohorad, who created the proposal and worked with US Lacrosse President & CEO Steve Stenersen and Tewaaraton Executive Director Sarah Aschenbach to submit it.

“We couldn’t be more excited for the lacrosse community to finally have its own emoji,” Bohorad said. “With emojis being used across languages, this is a monumental step for the sport gaining mainstream popularity across the globe.  We're very hopeful that this will be a catalyst in continuing to grow lacrosse through many forms of digital communication and technology platforms.”

As expected, the lacrosse community shared its excitement all over social media once the news broke.

Great news... can't wait! https://t.co/yOnzJqdUg2

— IWLCA (@IWLCA) February 8, 2018

First countdown: opening day
Second countdown: lax emoji https://t.co/BqsmR8axeU

— Atlanta Blaze (@AtlantaBlaze) February 8, 2018

Among 157 new emojis in 2018...we finally made it. Welcome to the mainstream, lacrosse (place lax emoji here). We can finally rest. https://t.co/OD3jITvpkD

— Paul Rabil (@PaulRabil) February 8, 2018

Woop! So excited!!! #LaxEmoji!!! It’s about time!! #pumped https://t.co/ir2erYe6Di

— Darci Becker (@DarciBecker) February 8, 2018

Finally a #laxemoji (#>=== https://t.co/w6QnuyQ6EY

— JLC926*4 (@jlcollura) February 8, 2018

ABOUT TIME #laxemoji https://t.co/HJJcfHNxgd

— emily maguire (@emiIymaguire) February 7, 2018

2. The MLL All-Star Game is headed to Harvard. After holding all-star games in growing lacrosse areas like Houston, Fullerton, Calif. and Sacramento, the MLL is returning to Harvard Stadium for the first time since 2014, according to Lax Sports Network.

Over 10,000 fans attended the last MLL All-Star Game held at Harvard Stadium. The news comes a day after the league announced that Alexander “Sandy” Brown would take over as commissioner for the upcoming season.

3. Johns Hopkins defenseman Patrick Foley is back and ready to begin again. After withdrawing from school and missing the 2017 season, Foley is focusing on his academic work and has committed himself to helping the Blue Jays in 2018.

Foley, who started all 15 games as a freshman in 2016, returns ready to anchor a Hopkins defense that struggled in 2017 without him.

4. Navy commit Casey Feinstein, from Roland Park (Md.), already embodies the spirit of the Midshipmen. Feinstein, who committed to Cindy Timchal’s Navy program as a freshman, took her passion for weightlifting and won the title of Maryland’s Strongest for the teen girls category.

Feinsten, who found her love for Navy at a young age, now holds 10 state records, like a 127-pound bench press, a 254-pound squat and a 325-pound deadlift, all in the 139-pound and under weight class.

5. The NCAA Division II women’s tournament is undergoing some changes. The 12-team bracket will be divided from two regions (North-South) to four regions (Atlantic-East-Midwest-South).

Three teams will qualify for the tournament from each of the four regions, with top seeds in each region getting a bye. Read up on the implications of a four-region NCAA Division II women’s tournament. 

6. Tom Mariano came to Pace in the midst of nine straight losing seasons, but he saw potential for the Setters program. With new facilities and a great location, Mariano knew he could build a winner at Pace.

Five years later, Mariano’s vision for the Setters program is approaching reality. After making its first Division II NCAA tournament, Pace returns much of its lineup and could challenge for more in 2018.

7. WPLL announced 15 more players that will join rosters for its inaugural season. Headlining the group of players are Aly Messinger (New England Command), Taylor Thornton (Baltimore Brave), and Sarah Mannelly (New England Command).

WHAT WE’RE READING

• Overnight camps are becoming more scarce as tournaments and showcases flood the lacrosse summer. Trilogy Lacrosse, though, will operate 12 US Lacrosse-sanctioned overnight camps in 2018.

• Inside Lacrosse hands out its preseason candidates for the Men’s Division I Player of Year race.

• What we’re listening to: Mark Dixon and Dan Flynn review the past weekend in lacrosse in the DFly and Dixie podcast.

• Cincinnati women’s lacrosse is gearing up for what could be its first winning season.

• Preview of the St. Mary’s (Md.) Seahawks men’s lacrosse team ahead of the 2018 season.

• With coach Peter Milliman at the helm, Cornell is ready for a new run at success.

• After having a taste of success last season. San Diego State captain Mackenzie Lech wants more.

WHAT WE’RE WATCHING

Maryland coach Cathy Reese previews the 2018 season for the defending champions.

Watch what Cathy Reese had to say about the upcoming season at Spring Sports Media Day! #FearTheTurtle pic.twitter.com/pDlGtBmM5S

— Maryland Women's Lax (@MarylandWLax) February 7, 2018

The Bryant women’s lacrosse team surprised teammate Madison McNally with a trip to Florida to honor her friend and former Colorado player Julia Sarcona, who died in a accident last month.

Bryant senior defender, Madison McNally, was surprised by her teammates with a trip to join her friends in honoring her close friend, Julia Sarcona, when Colorado takes on Florida. #JS15

(via @BryantWLax)pic.twitter.com/BYaT0FQfY1

— NCAA Lacrosse (@NCAALAX) February 7, 2018

WHAT’S ON TAP

• Palm Beach Atlantic and Lincoln Memorial battle in Division II men's action.

• We'll have features on our men's and women's Division I Preseason Players of the Year.

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