Good morning. Here’s the latest from around the lacrosse world:
1. Last year, Lehigh faceoff specialist Mike Sisselberger redefined the limits of what’s possible at the stripe. The program’s first USILA first-team All-American in 98 years, Sisselberger makes jaws drop with his performances on the field, the wrestling mat and in the weight room.
“He’s a legend in this area,” Lehigh head coach Kevin Cassese said.
Read more about Sisselberger in our January cover story: Stronger Than Fiction
2. Ali Baiocco’s extra work paid off last spring when she finished second in the nation with 6.25 points per game and earned second-team All-American honors. Baiocco is back for a fifth-year at Stanford and headlines a talented Cardinal attack.
3. With an all-star coaching staff and several key standouts returning on the offensive end, the Syracuse men’s lacrosse team enters a new era with a lot of questions but also excitement. The Orange are No. 14 in the Nike/USA Lacrosse preseason rankings.
4. 2021 NCAA runner-up Maryland released its schedule yesterday. While limited to only a Big 10 slate last spring during the regular season, this year, the Terrapins face a strong out-of-conference contingent, including games against Loyola, Syracuse, Notre Dame and reigning two-time national champion Virginia.
The Yale men’s lacrosse team, which played its last game on March 7, 2020, also announced its 2022 schedule. The Elis are ranked eighth in the Nike/USA Lacrosse preseason rankings. They open the regular season against Villanova for the fifth-consecutive season.
5. Kevin Unterstein announced his retirement from professional lacrosse after a 14-year career. The defensive coordinator for North Carolina, Unterstein, who as a player plied his trade as a scrappy short stick defensive midfielder, won a gold medal with the U.S. national team at the 2018 FIL World Championships.
“I have such a passion for what I do, and I hope can have the same kind of impact on future generations of players that my coaches, mentors and teammates have had on me,” he wrote in a statement.
WHAT WE’RE READING
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A powerful article from the Washington Post about Tiana Griffin, who competed on the U16 U.S. Select team this fall at the Brogden Cup and is advocating for more diversity in the sport.
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Kylie Ohlmiller’s wall ball routine will have you improving in no time. Check out her tips of the trade here.
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More local coverage from News NBC 7 San Diego about World Lacrosse’s announcement on Monday that the 2023 men’s world championship will be held in San Diego.
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Inside Lacrosse takes a look at which D-I teams they believe will be most improved in 2022.
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Lacrosse Bucket previews the Lehigh men’s schedule.
WHAT WE’RE WATCHING
We’re ready to see more assists like this one from Syracuse’s Brendan Curry to Owen Hiltz soon.
WHAT’S ON TAP
Team-by-team breakdowns from the Top 20 in the Nike / USA Lacrosse preseason rankings continue with looks at the No. 13 teams — Princeton (women) and Army (men).