Good morning. Here’s the latest from around the lacrosse world:
1. Well, North Carolina is really good.
Facing a seventh-ranked Denver team that only narrowly lost to Duke on Friday, the sixth-ranked Tar Heels absolutely hammered the Pioneers in a 24-13 win. UNC led 21-6 after three quarters — and literally everything was going the Tar Heels’ way.
It’s all going UNC’s way.
— US Lacrosse Magazine (@USLacrosseMag) February 7, 2021
No, literally. pic.twitter.com/puWcXaJTvl
It was one of several examples of the ACC’s banner weekend, as Duke held firm at No. 1 by winning both of its games and Virginia, without some of its more familiar names, toppled Towson.
Did you miss the action this weekend? Check out the links below.
2. Shawn Nadelen is serving a self-imposed suspension.
The Towson men’s head coach is serving a two-game suspension due to an NCAA compliance violation, the school tweeted Friday afternoon, just one day before the season opener. Towson said it self-reported the violation. There will be no further statement from the school.
3. The ASUN Conference is adding men’s lacrosse for the 2022 season.
Air Force, Bellarmine, Cleveland State, Detroit Mercy, Robert Morris and Utah will comprise the new conference effective July 1. The SoCon reconfigured itself, too, as it now includes Hampton, High Point, Jacksonville, Mercer, Richmond and VMI.
Read thoughts from Bellarmine coach Andrew Whitley and Jacksonville coach John Galloway here.
4. Women’s lacrosse official and staunch supporter Trina Mangano has died.
Mangano, one of the most well-respected women’s lacrosse officials in the country, died Friday at 55 after a battle with cancer.
WHAT WE’RE READING
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In partnership with OutSports, we share the story of NLL referee Kyle Kennery — a pansexual man who has learned to love himself after a battle with substance abuse and self-acceptance.
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The North Carolina women are No. 1. After finishing 2020 as the undisputed top team, the Tar Heels got even better, writes Ella Brockway.
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We saw why the Duke men are No. 1 this weekend. Nelson Rice with the team preview.
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The US Lacrosse PE Program aims to get lacrosse in more schools.
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From our friends at TrueSport: Three risky supplements parents should make sure athletes avoid.
WHAT WE’RE WATCHING
This Connor Shellenberger is going to be a PROBLEM.
Connor Shellenberger waited a long time to make his @UVAMensLax debut.
— US Lacrosse Magazine (@USLacrosseMag) February 7, 2021
He was ready for the occasion.
Check out highlights from his four-goal performance yesterday.
RECAP: https://t.co/lSpsPW97QI pic.twitter.com/GkIGZ80lUX
WHAT’S ON TAP
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The first rankings update of 2021.
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The men's and women's lacrosse seasons from A-to-Z.