Good morning. Here’s the latest from around the lacrosse world:
1. Canadian women’s lacrosse is on the rise, with box lacrosse-bred players not only infiltrating the NCAA ranks, but also bringing their flair to the international game. Danita Stroup, the Northwestern star and LIU Brooklyn transfer who on Wednesday was granted an extra year of eligibility to return in 2018, most memorably had the behind-the-back assist that sparked Canada’s under-19 team to an upset of the U.S. in 2015. Stroup will suit up for Canada’s senior World Cup team looking to dethrone Team USA in the upcoming FIL Women’s World Cup in England. As will Allison Daley, one of two goalies on the roster and collegiate assistant coach who has returned to Binghamton after one season at Delaware.
2. The BBC will broadcast live eight games during the medal round of the World Cup, marking the first time the sport will be televised for free in the U.K. while adding global distribution of the events — a bigger deal than most people realize. The BBC schedule includes the quarterfinals July 19, the semifinals July 20 and the bronze and gold medal games July 22.
3. New York Lizards attackman Will Manny enjoyed a dazzling debut for his new team. Manny, acquired from the Boston Cannons last week, scored five goals in the Lizards’ 15-14 win over the Ohio Machine to earn Major League Lacrosse Offensive Player of the Week honors and this hat tip from halfway around the world.
Other MLL award winners for Week 11 were Denver Outlaws defenseman B.J. Grill (Defensive Player of the Week) and Chesapeake Bayhawks midfielder Jake Froccaro (Rookie of the Week).
4. The Under Armour All-America Game’s choreographed goal celebrations, love them or hate them, are generating a ton of buzz — none more so than Bubba Fairman’s “RKO outta nowhere.”
Fairman, a Utah native and Maryland signee, is one of the nation’s top recruits in his class. As for his nickname, well, that’s what happens when you’re born a 13-pound baby.