Good morning. Here’s the latest around the lacrosse world:
1. Lacrosse made more fans Monday.
Maryland and Virginia staged one of the most entertaining games in NCAA men’s lacrosse championship history, with the Cavaliers holding off an incredible late-game rally by the Terps to claim their second straight national title — albeit a most unusual repeat.
Virginia goalie Alex Rode made a last-second save on Maryland reserve faceoff specialist Luke Wierman to preserve the Cavaliers’ 17-16 victory, tied for the highest-scoring game ever in an NCAA final. (Maryland beat Navy 20-13 in 1975 and Syracuse beat Hopkins 17-16 in 1983.)
Redshirt freshman Connor Shellenberger earned most outstanding player honors with four goals and two assists in the final.
After the game, there was plenty of social media chatter about what just transpired — and not just from the usual lacrosse literati.
Lacrosse is a GROSSLY underrated sport
— Katie Pondiscio (@kpondiscio) May 31, 2021
Lacrosse > Baseball
— Ross Tucker (@RossTuckerNFL) May 31, 2021
One of the best games I’ve ever seen in any sport at any level
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) May 31, 2021
Thank you Lacrosse
Thank you @UVAMensLax
Thank you @TerpsMLax
Absolutely bananas lights out edge of your seats watch!
Right after the @NCAALAX final game, she ran outside with her stick. Thank you all teams/players/coaches/media. You are inspiring next generation. pic.twitter.com/1sCtZQPExJ
— Yamato Lacrosse (@YamatoLacrosse) May 31, 2021
2. May Madness did not disappoint. Three of the six NCAA champions were first-time titlists who had come oh, so close in recent years. For posterity purposes, here are all six championship stories from USA Lacrosse Magazine:
MD1: Virginia Completes Unusual Repeat with Dramatic Win Over Maryland
WD1: They Did It! Boston College Captures Elusive NCAA Championship
MD2: Le Moyne Sticks to Identity, Shuts Down Lenoir-Rhyne for 6th NCAA Title
WD2: Lindenwood, a Lacrosse Oasis in the Middle of the Country, Wins First National Title
MD3: History for RIT: The Mind-Boggling Finish That Sealed the Tigers’ First D-III Title
WD3: Mary Claire Hisle Locks Down a National Championship for Salisbury Women
WHAT WE’RE READING
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Gratitude, no bitterness out of Maryland coach John Tillman (via Forbes)
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Boston College’s win for the ages (via Eagles Unlimited)
WHAT WE’RE WATCHING
Virginia’s Lars Tiffany and Maryland’s John Tillman — two of the classiest acts you’ll find in all of college lacrosse.
"First of all I want to thank Dom Starsia" @UVAMensLax coach Lars Tiffany pays tribute to former UVA coach @DomStarsiaPLL in first comments after winning #NCAAMLAX Championship | https://t.co/oJkK8CQ2nw pic.twitter.com/7Yr13tjP4E
— Lax Sports Network (@LaxSportsNet) May 31, 2021
"I'm gonna squeeze my time because I know once we get to Charlottesville and we get off that bus it'll never be the same. It'll be over. I just don't want to let it go." @UVAMensLax coach Lars Tiffany on saying goodbye to the group of Matt Moore, Jared Conners, and Dox Aitken. pic.twitter.com/8KR7ux5gaF
— Lax Sports Network (@LaxSportsNet) May 31, 2021
"We just wanted to shake your hands. We have't been able to do it all year. Congratulations."@CoachTillman1 is all class.
— Maryland Lacrosse (@TerpsMLax) May 31, 2021
Proud he's our leader. #BeTheBest pic.twitter.com/2RL1acFAZN
WHAT’S ON TAP
Time to turn the page to the PLL. Phil Shore checks in with the top storyline for each team. The season opener is Friday.