Good morning. Here’s the latest from around the lacrosse world:
1. Navy senior faceoff specialist Joe Varello has been suspended indefinitely from the team due to “an undisclosed rules violation,” coach Rick Sowell confirmed Monday to the Capital Gazette.
The faceoff now will become a bigger challenge for the Midshipmen in 2018, already needing to replace record-setting specialist Brady Dove.
Though he has been allowed to practice while his situation is under review, Varello did not play in the team’s season opener against Jacksonville, which was a major reason for Navy’s 12-7 loss.
Against the Dolphins, the Mids lost 19 of 22 faceoffs, a job shared by freshman Jeff Durden, sophomore Brad Alexander and junior Mike Loscalzo, none of whom had taken a collegiate faceoff before the Jacksonville game.
“We are definitely thin at the position without Joe, and also inexperienced,” Sowell told the Capital Gazette. “Faceoffs are a key component of the game so we’ve got to figure this out.”
Varello was suspended by the Naval Academy for a rules violation. It is unclear when he will be allowed to rejoin the team.
— Bill Wagner (@BWagner_CapGaz) February 5, 2018
2. MLL’s new commissioner Alexander “Sandy” Brown, succeeding David Gross, has a plan to establish the league’s identity and stability in its various markets.
“Rome wasn’t built in a day,” Brown said. “MLL has been around for a while. They’ve made big strides. I’m looking forward to using my skills and relationships to continue to grow the league.”
First, through collaboration with the NLL, he aims to bridge the gap and lift the silence between the two professional leagues, as well as building relationships with all constituents in the sports.
“That’s MLL, NLL, US Lacrosse and the FIL,” he said. “We all have to be talking.”
Second, with his television background as an ESPN executive, he wants to bring greater access to the fans with digital growth.
“I’m a huge believer in digital,” Brown said.
3. The Roughnecks aim to build off its big win over Toronto thanks to goalie Christian Del Bianco’s 47-save performance. It was Del Bianco’s first NLL win in net since being drafted two and a half years ago. “It definitely took me long enough,” Del Bianco said.
4. Reigning national champion Limestone sits atop the Nike/US Lacrosse Division II Men’s Preseason Top 20. Though with a huge hole to fill graduating Kevin Reisman, Limestone could have more challengers for that top spot, including Merrimack and Le Moyne.
5. With three NCAA titles in the last four years, Adelphi enters 2018 as the favorite in the Nike/US Lacrosse Division II Women’s Preseason Top 20. But the NCAA tournament features a larger field, which could shake things up.
What We’re Reading
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ESPN analyst Quint Kessenich reviews the NCAA’s opening weekend in men’s lacrosse.
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Navy women’s lacrosse was picked as the preseason favorite to win the Patriot League.
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The Baltimore Sun previews the 2018 season for Maryland men’s lacrosse.
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Marquette men’s coach Joe Amplo is not concerned with his team’s lack of returning scorers.
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SB Nation takes a look at the newcomers for Marquette women.
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Notre Dame men’s lacrosse continues previewing its roster, now looking at its attackmen.
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Temple women seeks its identity in 2018, aiming to reach its third straight Big East tournament.
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Arizona State named its first two captains in program history – Kerri Clayton and Rachel Gregory.
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Krossover was named MLL’s first video analytics partner.
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Gene Ubriaco was named Loyola Blakefield’s lacrosse coach, who will take over in 2019.
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Highland Park (Texas) hope to push momentum under new head coach Rich Moses.
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The Shikellamy School District (Pa.) aims to start a lacrosse program by 2019.
What We’re Watching
When presented with the 2018 NCAA Silver Award, Warrior founder and former Princeton standout David Morrow spoke about passion for the sport that made the difference in his business’s success. “What I learned,” he said, “is the passion to be my best self.”
David Morrow, founder of Warrior Sports and former standout for @TigerLacrosse, delivers his acceptance speech after being presented with the 2018 NCAA Silver Award. pic.twitter.com/4HnblSfgh5
— NCAA Lacrosse (@NCAALAX) February 7, 2018
BuffSports Live created a touching tribute to Colorado senior attacker Julia Sarcona, who died in a car crash Jan. 13.
What’s On Tap
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Stay tuned for a story on a Navy women’s lacrosse commit who holds 10 Maryland state records in strength training.
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Today in Division II men, Shorter takes on North Greenville and Montreat plays Brevard. In Division II women, North Greenville is also in action against Limestone.
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