Good morning. Here’s the latest from around the lacrosse world:
1. It’s decision time for the U.S. men’s national team.
The team was in Orlando over the weekend for its final training camp before coach John Danowski and his staff trim the roster from 52 players to 23. They held a pair of closed practice sessions sandwiched between public Blue-White exhibition games Friday and Saturday night at Northeast Regional Park in Davenport, Fla., in conjunction with the IMLCA Players Summit.
Matt Hamilton of our staff was with the team in Florida, where he caught up with U.S. players and coaches as the tryout window closed and difficult choices loomed.
2. The San Diego Seals won another thriller Friday.
The Seals, who nearly coughed up a six-goal lead in New York last week, this time did the rallying. Trailing by seven late in the third quarter, San Diego went on a wild nine-goal run, relinquished a two-goal lead at the end of regulation and then defeated the Saskatchewan Rush 13-12 in overtime. Curtis Dickson scored the game-winning goal, finishing with four goals and four assists.
In other NLL Week 2 action:
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Connor Fields and Thomas Hoggarth scored four goals apiece and Rylan Hartley made 49 saves to lead the Rochester Knighthawks to an 11-7 win over the Toronto Rock.
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Phil Caputo (three goals, four assists) and Will Malcolm (four goals, three assists) had seven points apiece to lead the Panther City Lacrosse Club to a 13-11 season-opening win over the Las Vegas Desert Dogs. Jonathan Donville, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 draft, had three assists in his NLL debut.
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Jesse King had three goals and three assists to lead the Calgary Roughnecks to an 11-9 season-opening win over the Vancouver Warriors. Calgary led from start to finish, but never by more than three goals in a back-and-forth game.
3. Cannons coach Sean Quirk announced Friday he’s stepping down, citing recent heart surgery.
Quirk coached the Cannons for seven years, leading them to the 2020 Major League Lacrosse championship and staying with the club as part of the ensuing Premier Lacrosse League merger.
Quirk’s departure leaves the PLL with two coaching vacancies. Atlas coach Ben Rubeor resigned earlier this fall.
WHAT WE’RE READING
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“Hero Ball,” a fun interpretation of Connor Farrell aka The Milkman.
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From the Portland Sun, frustration and optimism surrounding efforts to sanction lacrosse in Tennessee.
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From the Dallas Morning News, a shoutout to Charlotte North and lacrosse as a sport that’s booming at the high school level in Texas.
WHAT WE’RE WATCHING
Scenes from Florida, where the U.S. men’s training team ratcheted up the intensity in a pair of Blue-White exhibitions before the final roster cutdown.
Happy Holidays. Your gift is Sam Handley eurostepping through the Team Blue defense.
— U.S. Men's National Team (@USAMLax) December 10, 2022
He’s big. He’s fast. A stick is no match for him. pic.twitter.com/TUVtPwyiKv
.@GrantAment Santa Claus
— U.S. Men's National Team (@USAMLax) December 10, 2022
Dishing out presents to those who were good this year. Can confirm @rattmambo is on the nice list. pic.twitter.com/bAWGDK5Mq5
Jack Concannon said REACH FOR THE SKYYY.
— U.S. Men's National Team (@USAMLax) December 10, 2022
He stonewalls Rambo for the Team Blue save. pic.twitter.com/MXQzvrTOQa
Sergio Perkovic went from high to low quicker than Father Christmas down a chimney on the 24th of December.
— U.S. Men's National Team (@USAMLax) December 10, 2022
SERG DROPPING BOMBS. pic.twitter.com/gdJsnmgAhN
You fancy, huh? @JNardss bounces it to @WillManny_1, who drops the hammer. pic.twitter.com/TqlGXI9boZ
— U.S. Men's National Team (@USAMLax) December 10, 2022
.@CvanRaaphorst with the biggest theft since the Grinch almost ruined Christmas in Whoville in 1957.
— U.S. Men's National Team (@USAMLax) December 11, 2022
Nothing like a well-timed check. pic.twitter.com/BJyGf2U3Dw
The @little_moore11 no-look? SUBLIME.
— U.S. Men's National Team (@USAMLax) December 11, 2022
The @Chrisgray04__ snipe? SUBLIME. pic.twitter.com/SgeY1KLk3X
By all means necessary. Jack Concannon using that chin strap to make the save. pic.twitter.com/4hBwa395YC
— U.S. Men's National Team (@USAMLax) December 11, 2022
Which is not to say it was all business. Leave it up to Mike Sisselberger and his faceoff friends to add levity.
Our guys at @usmnt gave us some World Cup fever.
— U.S. Men's National Team (@USAMLax) December 10, 2022
Mike Sisselberger with some pure form. @trevorbaptiste9 still workin’ on it.
Who ya got winning @FIFAWorldCup? pic.twitter.com/0UEaLMar2E
It’s official. @JalenHurts is the official quarterback of @USAMLax. #gobirds
— U.S. Men's National Team (@USAMLax) December 11, 2022
We’ve all got our favorites. Who you taking? pic.twitter.com/afTbGjeZ4I
WHAT’S ON TAP
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Best of Lax 2022 continues with a look at the year’s major change agents.
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Shooting tips from U.S. U21 team standout and senior team hopeful Brennan O’Neill.