Good morning. Here’s the latest from around the lacrosse world:
1. Cornell announced Thursday that it’s taking the interim tag off of coach Peter Milliman, making him the official head coach of the Big Red following a season in which they advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals.
Milliman took over the Cornell program after the resignation of former head coach Matt Kerwick in 2017. He led the Big Red to a 13-5 record in 2018, including an Ivy League tournament championship.
"He's earned it every step of the way, beginning with the outstanding job he's done with recruiting over the past few years, and continuing through this season with the terrific job he and his staff have done coaching the team on the field, and re-establishing the Cornell Lacrosse culture,” CornelI Director of Athletics Andy Noel said.
2. The USILA named its All-Americans on Thursday. In addition, Yale’s Ben Reeves earned the Lt. Raymond J. Enners Award as the nation’s most outstanding player.
Congrats to @YaleLacrosse Attackman Ben Reeves for winning our Division 1 Outstanding Player Award as votes by the coaches. @ESPNU @LaxSportsNet pic.twitter.com/vewS4mZiwM
— USILA (@USILA_Lax) May 24, 2018
Loyola’s Pat Spencer (Attackman of the Year), Denver’s Trevor Baptiste (Midfielder of the Year), Notre Dame’s John Sexton (Defensive Player of the Year) and Albany’s JD Colarusso (Goalie of the Year) also took home individual awards.
Check out the rest of the All-American team members.
3. A is for Sam Apuzzo. Apuzzo, the Boston College star, leads our NCAA Division I Women’s Final Four from A to Z.
Read through a preview of the final four set to take place at Stony Brook.
4. Albany men’s lacrosse is on the verge of winning its first national championship, but it isn’t feeling the pressure. Under coach Scott Marr, the Great Danes are looking to have fun along the way.
Marr describes his team quite simply.
“We’re just a bunch of misfits,” Marr says. “We’re characters. Just a bunch of misfits that have a common goal, that’s all.”
Catch our Dane Train Ride-Along.
5. Maryland and Duke have combined for six national championships. They’ll meet on Saturday for the chance to play for another one.
The Terps and Blue Devils, who haven’t met since 2014, will renew an old ACC rivalry. Breaking down the matchup that will have the lacrosse community glued to the television.
6. Boston College defender Elizabeth Miller relishes the chance to battle with the nation’s top players. The Eagles’ top matchup defender, Miller went up against Stony Brook’s Kylie Ohlmiller last week.
This weekend, she’ll most likely get Maryland’s Megan Whittle, whom she faced in the national championship game last year.
7. North Carolina freshman goalie Taylor Moreno spent most of the season in a timeshare with sophomore Elise Hennessey, but she’s coming into form as the Tar Heels push for a national title.
After making 17 saves against Northwestern in the quarterfinals, Moreno is continuing her emergence.
8. Salisbury’s Kyle Tucker was once too small to fill the roles left by All-Americans like Austin Kemp and Knute Kraus. He decided to bulk up, and he became one of the Seagulls most important players.
Tucker and Salisbury go for a 3-peat this weekend at Gillette Stadium.
WHAT WE’RE READING
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Albany alumni from across the country are flocking to Foxborough to see the Great Danes reach a height many thought impossible.
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James Madison’s Kristen Gaudian and Katie Kerrigan were almost enemies in high school, but have developed a tight relationship as the Dukes built a national power.
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Although Nebraska defensive end Casey Rogers eventually chose football, he still has a love for lacrosse.
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Marriotts Ridge (Md.) downs Hereford (Md.) to win its first boys state championship.
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After winning the Division I MCLA Championship, a group of Michigan State players rented a recreational van and took the trophy on a trip of a lifetime.
WHAT WE’RE WATCHING
The defending Division I men's national champions are on their way back to Foxborough to try for a repeat. Check out highlights from the trip to Massachusetts.
Next stop: Foxborough #BeTheBest // #FinalFour pic.twitter.com/vPdoWJ52Iy
— Maryland Lacrosse (@TerpsMLax) May 24, 2018
It's not lacrosse at Gillette Stadium without a Chris Hogan mention. Here is the Patriots wide receiver and former Penn State star wishing teams good luck.
Patriots WR & former @PennStateMLAX player @ChrisHogan_15 has a message for the #NCAALAX teams competing at @GilletteStadium this weekend.
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) May 24, 2018
: https://t.co/mhTLuJ6yha pic.twitter.com/J56sbMtfOa
We know Albany men's lacrosse players have skills with a stick in their hands, but it looks like some can play the piano, as well. Welcome to Foxborough, Dane Train.
This. Is. Amazing. pic.twitter.com/rEjOW5wPHO
— UAlbany Lacrosse (@UAlbanyMLax) May 24, 2018
Boston College women's lacrosse getting ready for tonight's game against Maryland at Stony Brook.
A day in the sun at the #NCAAWLax #FinalFour #WeAreBc pic.twitter.com/DKnMl5pahl
— BC Women's Lacrosse (@BCwlax) May 24, 2018
Same with the North Carolina Tar Heels, who match up with James Madison tonight.
The Tar Heels put in a day of work in Long Island today. NCAA championship weekend has arrived.#GoHeels #NCAAWLAX pic.twitter.com/ppTd34fdIS
— UNC Women's Lacrosse (@uncwlax) May 24, 2018
Championship Weekend got us feeling like this U13 player. Nice moves!
Our U13 squad turns up! Wanna have a dance off, @UAlbanyMLax? pic.twitter.com/zKWkA7lm8j
— Joe Keegan (@joekeegs) May 25, 2018
WHAT’S ON TAP
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Here we go. Championship Weekend begins tonight, with the Division I Women's semifinals at Stony Brook. James Madison and North Carolina will faceoff at 5 p.m., and Boston College will meet Maryland in a championship game rematch at 7:30 p.m. Click here for the full Division I rankings.
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As for the small college championships, the Division III women's semis are Saturday in Salem, Va., followed by the finals on Sunday. That same day, the Division III Men's title game is at 1 p.m., followed by Division II at 4 p.m. at Gillette Stadium.
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Special Championship Edition of Dialed In The Show will be live from Foxborough on Monday morning. Stay tuned for more details.
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Previews of the Division III women's final four, Yale vs. Albany and the Champion's Cup coming today.
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