Good morning. Here’s the latest from around the lacrosse world:
Greg Gurenlian, the 2015 Major League Lacrosse MVP, is coming out of retirement to join the nascent Premier Lacrosse League. Gurenlian, who retired from MLL after the 2017 season to spend more time with his family and focus exclusively on training for the 2018 U.S. national team, was motivated by the PLL’s touring model and the opportunity to help usher in a new era of pro lacrosse.
I’ve decided to buckle up that strap again. For a #NewEra. See you all this summer with @PremierLacrosse pic.twitter.com/aSXpCrAE89
— Greg Gurenlian (@GregBeast32) January 3, 2019
The Beast is Back
— Premier Lacrosse League (@PremierLacrosse) January 3, 2019
Welcome @GregBeast32 to the PLL! pic.twitter.com/3AGT3cpToA
2. US Lacrosse filled out the coaching and support staffs for the U.S. senior and under-19 men’s national teams — with some familiar names in the fold.
The coaching staff of the gold medal-winning 2018 U.S. men’s team will remain largely intact. Defensive coordinator Joe Amplo (Marquette) and offensive coordinator Seth Tierney (Hofstra) will reunite with head coach John Danowski (Duke), with Charley Toomey (Loyola) on board as the third assistant.
On the U19 side, Pat Myers (Lafayette) will rejoin his brother and U.S. U19 head coach Nick Myers (Ohio State) on the sideline after helping Team USA win a gold medal at the 2016 world championship in Coquitlam, British Columbia. Stan Ross (Oxbridge Academy) and Andrew Stimmel (Yale) are the other assistant coaches. Tony Resch (La Salle College High School), a veteran coach who has won two gold medals as a U.S. senior team assistant in 2010 and 2018 and led the 2015 U.S. indoor team as head coach, is the assistant manager.
Humbled & Grateful to @USLacrosse & @MyersJMZ for opportunity to work with U19 team. Excited to work alongside @PatMyers1221 @flcoachross , Coach Resch & entire @USLacrosse organization.
— Andrew Stimmel (@A_Stimm) January 4, 2019
Honored & extremely grateful to @USLacrosse for this incredible opportunity to represent Stars ✨ & Stripes , & beyond humbled by chance to work w/ amazing staff, & special group of young men. Round 2, big challenge ahead, Lets Go! @MyersJMZ @A_Stimm @flcoachross Coach Resch https://t.co/4HyJrBZsKI
— Pat Myers (@PatMyers1221) January 3, 2019
Excited and grateful to @USLacrosse & @MyersJMZ for this wonderful opportunity to coach the U19 team. @PatMyers1221, @A_Stimm and Coach Resch look forward to working with you guys.
— Stan Ross (@flcoachross) January 3, 2019
3. Loyola’s Pat Spencer and Boston College’s Sam Apuzzo have earned preseason player of the year honors.
Spencer, a two-time Tewaaraton Award finalist and three-time Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year, has legitimate aspirations to play Division I basketball after his college lacrosse career ends. But for now, he’s laser-focused on his current role with the Greyhounds. “The end goal that’s driving me now is winning a national championship,” he said.
Apuzzo, the reigning Tewaaraton Award winner who has led BC to consecutive NCAA finals, has enjoyed school record-setting seasons the last two years — a torrid stretch during which she has averaged 3.5 goals, 5.2 points and 4.9 draw controls per game. “It’s like this switch is flipped and we’re the hunted,” she said. “So now we have a certain swagger.”