Good morning. Here’s the latest from around the lacrosse world:
1. We named our No. 1 teams in the Early 2021 Rankings on Friday.
No surprises here, as a Duke team that handily won the offseason transfer carousel checks in on top of the men’s rankings. Adding Michael Sowers was a boon in itself, but don’t forget that the Blue Devils will also add FOGO Dan O’Connell (Holy Cross) and goalie Michael Adler (Saint Joseph’s). Not to mention incoming top recruit Brennan O’Neill and the return of stalwart defender JT Giles-Harris.
Check out the full top five here.
On the women’s side, a star-studded North Carolina team claims the top spot. Program points leader Katie Hoeg is back for a grad year, and head coach Jenny Levy added Kerrigan Miller (USC) and Katie Bourque (Dartmouth) to bolster the midfield. UNC looked well on its way to trip to Memorial Day Weekend last spring, and somehow, the team got even better during the offseason.
Check out the full women’s top five here.
2. A top Navy recruit got the start at quarterback on Saturday.
Freshman Xavier Arline from Wading River (N.Y.) was a prized lacrosse recruit but chose Navy because he could also play football. That decision paid off Saturday, as Arline got the nod to start at quarterback for the Mids.
Arline struggled in his debut, rushing seven times for just 13 yards without attempting a pass. He was replaced by Dalen Morris, who helped the Mids come from behind to beat Tulane 27-24.
3. COVID-19 has hit another team.
The Cumberland Times-News reports that members of the Frostburg State men’s lacrosse team have been placed in quarantine after a player tested positive for COVID-19. Between the time between the test was taken and the positive test was received, the team had engaged in a high intensity practicing involving contact.
More here.
WHAT WE’RE READING
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COVID-19 has added another layer of stress to everyday life. TrueSport teaches us how parents can help athletes grow from stress.
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Lacrosse Bucket’s Tanner Demling spoke with John Long, a 2022 from North Carolina who committed to in-state High Point.
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Joe Keegan broke down his 2020 All-Film Team from the PLL Championship Series.
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Kai Iwamoto is a trailblazer for Japanese lacrosse players.
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Laine Hruska was selected 13th overall in the NLL Draft by the Georgia Swarm on Thursday. He called the moment “surreal.” More here.
WHAT WE’RE WATCHING
If NFL players were in the PLL, from TLN.
WHAT’S ON TAP
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Nelson Rice catches up with Jeff Teat, the No. 1 overall pick by the Riptide in the NLL Entry Draft.