Good morning. Here’s the latest from around the lacrosse world:
1. The Iroquois Nationals released its long-awaited FIL World Championship roster on Thursday afternoon. It dropped on Twitter and became the talk of the lacrosse community.
Our official roster pic.twitter.com/MR4s2k9e0d
— Iroquois Nationals 2018 (@iroqnats2018) July 5, 2018
As expected, the Iroquois attack looks scary on paper. The Thompson Brothers (Lyle, Myles, Ty) join Albany freshman phenom Tehoka Nanticoke, the Staats brothers (Randy, Austin) and Knighthawks/Cannons star Kyle Jackson.
Hiana and Jeremy Thompson help fill the midfield, which includes former Virginia stud and current Boston Cannons standout Zed Williams.
The U.S. national team battles the Iroquois Nationals in its first game on July 12.
2. Nicky Solomon has had a good week. The Centennial (Ga.) star capped his high school career winning MVP honors in the Under Armour All-America Game over the weekend.
Now, as a result of a season in which he scored 181 points to lead his team to the state semifinals, he earns Warrior/US Lacrosse South Boys' Player of the Year honors. Lambert (Ga.) tops the regional rankings.
As for the Midwest, that was Graham Bundy Jr.’s territory. The MICDS (Mo.) product put together a historic season, setting the Missouri record with 146 points.
He led MICDS to the state title — its fifth straight. Bundy Jr. earns Midwest Boys' Player of the Year honors.
3. Caitlyn Wurzburger is taking the high school lacrosse scene by storm, and she’s only a sophomore. She scored 106 goals and added 115 assists in another All-American season with American Heritage-Delray, leading her team to its first Florida state title.
As a result, Wurzburger takes home South Girls' Player of the Year honors.
Brooke Smith joins in as the Midwest Girls' Player of the Year, putting together an unlikely season for Upper Arlington (Ohio). After finishing fourth on the team in scoring last season, Smith broke out for 79 goals and 39 assists to lead Upper Arlington to an undefeated season.
4. ICYMI: Brooke Griffin, the former Maryland star turned U.S. national team gold medalist, is joining Kerstin Kimel’s Duke staff as an assistant. Griffin spent last season as a volunteer assistant at Towson after serving on the Boston College staff for two years.
WHAT WE’RE READING
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Teammates of fallen Lakota West player Matt Stratman helped him take the field one last time on Thursday night.
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Gladiator Lacrosse founder Rachel Zietz has her sights set on Princeton, where she will study economics.
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St. Bonaventure announces a partnership with adidas to be the official provider of uniforms and equipment.
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New Paltz announced that men’s lacrosse will be added as a varsity sport for the 2019-20 season.
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Israel National Team player Ryan Hunter shares the story of finding his passion in the game of lacrosse and why he’s giving back in Israel.
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College Crosse continues its Year in Review series with Mount St. Mary’s.
WHAT WE’RE WATCHING
Chris Friedman first came to Israel in 2013 and fell in love with the country. Now, he’s living there and coaching the game of lacrosse.
The U.S. national team headed up to Harvard to meet the MLL All-Stars last Thursday night. Check out the highlights from an overtime thriller — a tune-up for the FIL World Championships next week.
WHAT’S ON TAP
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Greg and Cole Ritts are father and son, and they'll suit up together for Luxembourg at the FIL World Championship.
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Looking for women's professional action? The WPLL hosts at doubleheader at Goucher College (5:30/7:30) tonight. The UWLX will host a doubleheader in Basking Ridge, N.J. (5:30/7) on Saturday.
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In Saturday's MLL action, Charlotte visits Dallas, Ohio at Florida, New York at Chesapeake.
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