Good morning. Here’s the latest from around the lacrosse world:
1. One of the sport's all-time greats, John Grant Jr., announced his retirement from the National Lacrosse League’s Colorado Mammoth, ending his playing career. He previously announced his retirement from Major League Lacrosse. Many know the 42-year-old and University of Delaware graduate as one of the sport's most prolific scorers, and for good reason. He finished his career as the NLL’s second all-time leading goal scorer (668) and the No. 1 in the MLL (318).
Perhaps his bigger legacy was as a winner. On the field, Grant Jr. helped teams to five MLL championships, one NLL championship, his native Canada to three FIL indoor and one FIL outdoor world championships and he also won five Mann Cup titles.
The lacrosse world paid proper tribute:
Congrats @JohnGrantJr24 on a great career thanks for beating me so many times my rookie year, the coach was forced too put me on offence
— Dhane Smith (@dhanesmith92) July 17, 2017
Countless lacrosse players have pretended to be @JohnGrantJr24 in their backyard over the past 20 years... I was one of them. Congrats 24!
— Dan Carey (@DanCarey_6) July 18, 2017
It was a privilege @JohnGrantJr24 Congrats and thank you. #
— Zack Greer (@ZackGreer88) July 18, 2017
Congrats @JohnGrantJr24 on your hall of fame career and for helping all of us @NLL goalies get on the highlight reels week after week!
— Nick Rose (@NickRose66) July 17, 2017
2. Grant also won a Heritage Cup in 2004, and that series is being renewed this October with the U.S. and Canada meeting at the First Ontario Center. U.S. team head coach Regy Thorpe knows his team has a tall task in front of it. “Team Canada sets the standard,” Thorpe said. “Everyone is chasing them but we’re excited to see more Americans playing in the NLL and getting the experience we’ll need to be competitive.”
3. One of the players expected to suit up for the U.S. in the Heritage Cup in Tom Schreiber, who last week was named to the U.S. training team for the 2018 FIL Men’s World Championship. On Monday, the former Princeton star was named to the NLL All-Rookie team.
4. Denver and Ohio met in last year’s Major League Lacrosse Championship game, and the two are back at the top of the standings this year. Phil Shore looks at their success in his weekly notebook.
5. The U.S. team was off on Monday, but play continued at the FIL Rathbones World Cup in Guildford, England and one of the highlights was Mexico hanging on for an 8-7 win over Spain to post its first victory of the tournament. Israel also completed a perfect 4-0 run through pool play and will meet unbeaten Japan in an attempt to move to the quarterfinals. Two other undefeated teams — Haudenosaunee and New Zealand — meet in the other play-in game.
WHAT WE’RE READING
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The College of Idaho announced it is moving to varsity status, but the school will continue to play in the MCLA.
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Denver’s pro sports teams are struggling, but the Denver Post says the Denver Outlaws are looking like they’re in championship form.
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St. Paul’s (Md.) goalie Alex Rode is among the new Virginia recruits looking to get the Cavaliers back in NCAA tournament contention.
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The first-ever women's box lacrosse game was held at the North American Indigenous Games.
WHAT WE’RE WATCHING
John Grant Jr.’s determination is on full display in this overtime game-winner that gave Rochester the 2007 National Lacrosse League championship.
WHAT’S ON TAP
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The U.S. women’s team wraps up pool play at the FIL Rathbones World Cup with a game against Wales today. Today's full schedule (with local times):
Don't miss a thing. Some teams begin their placing matches tomorrow - Here's the full Day 7 Schedule #RWLC17 pic.twitter.com/McTaxIQQ4B
— Rathbones WLC17 (@RWLC17) July 18, 2017