Good morning. Here’s the latest from around the lacrosse world:
1. If you missed it over the weekend, Denver captured its third Major League Lacrosse championship in five seasons Saturday night in Charleston, S.C.
The Outlaws beat the Dallas Rattlers, 16-12, behind four goals and five assists from championship-game MVP Matt Kavanagh. Denver won the league title in 2014 and 2016, and it has played in the final five times in seven years to cement its perch atop the MLL hierarchy.
The Rattlers may feel a bit snake-bitten against the Outlaws, having lost to them in the final or semifinals for the third time time five years. Further, Dallas beat Denver twice during the regular season, and the Rattlers own a 7-5 mark against the Outlaws in their last 12 encounters.
2. New York Lizards attackman Rob Pannell was named the MLL MVP Friday night during the league’s awards ceremony.
Pannell tallied an MLL-record 78 points on 43 goals and 35 assists this season, despite missing one game to help Team USA win the Federation of International Lacrosse World Championship in Netanya, Israel. He earned a spot on the FIL All-World Team. Pannell also was named the MLL’s Warrior Offensive Player of the Year for the second time in his career.
Other highlights from the awards ceremony included in the inaugural David Huntley Man of the Year Award, won by Scott Ratliff of the Atlanta Blaze.
3. Veteran National Lacrosse League star Brodie Merrill is now a free agent.
Merrill has passed on Toronto’s contract offer and will sign with another team for the 2018-19 season. The former No. 1 overall draft pick in 2005 remains one of the most talented defensive players of his time, both in the NLL and MLL.
4. U.S. women’s team goal medalist defender Becca Block shared tips on one-handed play, a skill that may become a necessity if the future international version of the game includes fewer players on the field.
Block helped Team USA win the 2017 FIL World Cup and, a few days later, the International World Games Association world championship. The latter featured 10 players per side instead of 12. Block turned to a lot of one-handed play not only to create a larger presence on the field on defense, but also to keep the ball further away from defenders on offense.
5. The Fred Opie Show is back, this time featuring Calvert Hall (Md.) coach Bryan Kelly.