Dialed In: Your Lacrosse Fix For Thursday, Jan. 5

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

1. Tampa leads the Nike/USA Lacrosse Division II Men’s Preseason Top 20.

After an undefeated season in 2022, the Spartans are the consensus top team in the preseason rankings, followed by national runner-up Mercy and Wingate. Click here to check out the full rankings.

2. East Stroudsburg tops the Nike/USA Lacrosse Division II Women’s Preseason Top 20.

The Warriors went 20-2 last season, but fell in the national title game to UIndy. Consensus among coaches helped launch East Stroudsburg to the No. 1 ranking, followed by Adelphi. Click here for the full top 20.

3. Grand Valley State’s Maggie Hammer opened up about her battle with depression in the IWLCA blog :”Behind the Whistle.”

Hammer detailed her story of perseverance through academic troubles and how she’s managed her mental health struggles to be successful as a fifth-year captain. Click here for her story.

WHAT WE’RE READING

• Inside Lacrosse’s Matt Kinnear with a recap of what we missed during the 2022 offseason, leading into this spring.

• North Carolina men’s lacrosse released its 2023 schedule, which includes nonconference matchups with Ohio State, Denver and Brown.

• Caitlyn Wurzburger could play a major role in the success of North Carolina women’s lacrosse in 2023. More on her impact for the Tar Heels.

WHAT WE’RE WATCHING

Loyola boys’ lacrosse player Peter Laake joined CNN to detail his commotio cordis event and how his life was saved in 2021.

In 2021, Peter Laake of Loyola Blakefield lacrosse collapsed in a similar fashion as @buffalobills player Damar Hamlin during MNF.

He recently joined @CNN to discuss his injury and the swift action that kept him alive. pic.twitter.com/iKXhzBKWvY

— TLN  (@LacrosseNetwork) January 4, 2023

WHAT’S ON TAP

• We’ll unveil the Nike/USA Lacrosse Division III Men’s and Women’s Preseason Top 20 rankings here today.

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