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

1. The USA Lacrosse Sixes Evaluation Camp rolled along yesterday.

Both rosters traveled from Saratoga Springs to Lake Placid to compete in Blue-White exhibition games of the new format. Yale attackman Matt Brandau scored the game winner to lift the White team over the Blue team 23-22.

THE GAME-WINNER. MATT BRANDAU.


pic.twitter.com/SfWzE05s8O

— U.S. Men's National Team (@USAMLax) August 3, 2021

On the women’s side, the White team (aka White Lightning) topped the Blue team (aka Blueberries) 24-12.

Check out Matt Hamilton’s notebook for more storylines, including Connor Shellenberger’s first on-field appearance since his star turn in the national championship game. The evaluation camp wraps up today.

2. Jack Kelly, one of the players at the Sixes Evaluation Camp, thought he never might put on a USA jersey again after he tore the ACL in his left knee during the 2018 FIL World Championships.

\Widely considered the best goalie in the world at the time of the injury, it took Kelly almost three years until he was physically and mentally ready to return. He did so in triumphant fashion last month for the Redwoods on Long Island.

“To one of the best teammates I’ve ever had,” Matt Kavanagh said as he presented the game ball to Kelly in the locker room after the win over the Waterdogs, in which Kelly played the entire second half.

Read more about Kelly’s inspiring comeback story here.

At one point, Jack Kelly didn't think he'd ever play again.

But the @PLLRedwoods and @USAMLax goalie is back. His comeback from a devastating knee injury took three years and as many surgeries.

"I'm a lacrosse player. It's who I am. It's what I do.”https://t.co/SsSXDtA3x1

— USA Lacrosse Magazine (@USALacrosseMag) August 3, 2021

3. The Whipsnakes are making moves.

The two-time defending Premier Lacrosse League champions traded rookie defenseman Nick Grill to the Chrome to acquire Justin Guterding. The all-time NCAA men’s Division I leading goal scorer until this past spring, Guterding registered five goals in six games this season. Last summer at the Championship Series in Utah, he tallied 16 points on 10 goals and six assists in five games.

Grill was the Big Ten Defensive Players of the Year at Maryland and helped the Terrapins advance to the national championship game. The trade led to some speculation that Matt Rambo, the 2019 MVP for the Whipsnakes, will miss the rest of the season with a wrist injury he sustained during Week 3 at Homewood Field in Baltimore. 

4. Johns Hopkins women’s lacrosse team announced two key fifth-year returnees.

Keegan Barger, a 2021 captain, is the program’s active leader in caused turnovers and holds the Blue Jays’ single-game CT record. Shelby Harrison compiled 14 goals and four assists in 2021 and is the active, single-game and per-game draw control leader for Janine Tucker’s squad.

5. A striking tribute from Powell Lacrosse to John Zulberti.

John Zulberti was larger than life. From the early days at West Genny, flying around wearing orange chucks in the Dome, and his mentorship of the next generation, he was one of the game’s very best. We are going to miss the one and only Z-Man. pic.twitter.com/TgRVDETjYz

— Powell Lacrosse (@powelllacrosse) August 3, 2021

WHAT WE’RE READING

• Taylor Cummings celebrates the four Athletes Unlimited Lacrosse players who stood out above the rest this past weekend in the latest Taylor’s Takes.

• The accolades keep rolling in for UNC bound faceoff specialist Chase Mullins, who was the MVP of the Under Armour All-America Senior Game on Saturday. The St. Christopher’s grad was named to the Richmond-Times Dispatch’s All-Metro team. 

• Bay News 9 with a piece on why girls’ lacrosse is on the rise in Tampa Bay.

WHAT WE’RE WATCHING

Not a bad spot for some lacrosse.

Lax.
Adirondacks.

What a perfect combo. Lake Placid was stunning. pic.twitter.com/S6ZekP7Waa

— U.S. Men's National Team (@USAMLax) August 4, 2021

Mackenzie Burns turns on the afterburners with a coast-to-coast goal yesterday during the Blue-White Sixes scrimmage at Lake Placid.

Mackenzie Burns found another gear.

No stopping her on this coast-to-coast goal. pic.twitter.com/LoMsRfhbWV

— U.S. Women's National Team (@USAWLax) August 4, 2021

WHAT'S ON TAP

• More coverage from the Sixes Evaluation Camp. Follow @USAWLax and @USAMLax on all social platforms so you don’t miss anything.

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