Good morning. Here’s the latest from around the lacrosse world:
1. On National Girls and Women in Sports Day, US Lacrosse celebrated.
In a surprise Zoom visit, U.S. women’s national team star Kylie Ohlmiller dropped in to talk with more than 80 high school girls, answering their questions and inspiring them to become future leaders.
Oh, and Oakley stopped by, too.
Surprise! Thanks for having me [& Oakley] and for all your amazing questions! https://t.co/W5qD7rSjlo
— Kylie Ohlmiller (@kylieohlmiller) February 3, 2021
Other U.S. women’s national team players told US Lacrosse Twitter followers about how they #LeadHerForward, sharing motivations and advice on how they became great.
It's National Girls & Women in Sports Day!
— U.S. Women's National Team (@USAWLax) February 3, 2021
We are so proud of our @USAWLax players who are paving the way for the next generation of strong, confident female athletes.
Today, we share how we hope to #LeadHerForward. pic.twitter.com/Eb3XxdRXe4
Rachel Vallarelli, who penned a first-person essay for us in December, spoke with Devan Kaney about the importance of female role models and how she’s breaking the mold as a woman playing men’s box lacrosse.
.@RAVSLAX26, the 1st woman invited to participate in the US Elite #NLLCombine, is changing the game & empowering the next generation of female athletes.
— NLL (@NLL) February 4, 2021
On this #NGWSD, she joins @DevanKaneyTV for an honest conversation on what the day means to her.
Presented by @warriorlax pic.twitter.com/s9JfG2scoZ
2. The NLL has canceled the upcoming season.
After the Canadian government heightened its COVID-19 restrictions, new logistical nightmares became realities for the NLL. Commissioner Nick Sakiewicz said the league will instead focus on making its return in the fall within team markets.
3. The Maryland men are ready to go up-tempo.
It’s been a few years since the Terps have been able to push the pace, but Patrick Stevens writes that John Tillman thinks he has the pieces to do so in 2021. The Terps are No. 3 in our Preseason Top 20.
Read Stevens’ team preview here.
4. According to one rival coach, Loyola “is a final four team.”
The Loyola women were 5-0 in 2020 and catapulting up the rankings. With nearly all of their impactful players back in the fold, the Greyhounds have their sights set on Championship Weekend.
Learn more about the Hounds here.
5. The Atlantic Sun Conference could make its return in 2022.
According to a detailed report by Inside Lacrosse’s Terry Foy, the ASUN could return to men’s lacrosse and provide an automatic qualifier to the season’s four independent teams — Utah, Hampton, Cleveland State and Robert Morris.
It’s a thorough report, so be sure to give it a read here.
WHAT WE’RE READING
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The USILA has revealed its Preseason Coaches Polls for Division I, II and III.
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The Pac-12 released scheduling information.
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Go Inside the February edition of US Lacrosse Magazine, featuring previews on 120 teams.
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Yale coach Erica Bamford writes about the 10 things she’s learned in the past 12 months.
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For Black History Month, Lacrosse Bucket’s Tanner Demling profiles Syd “The Squid” Abernethy.
WHAT WE’RE WATCHING
Another day, another insane shot by Charlotte North.
Skrrrttttttt pic.twitter.com/ZxJxGz2BpA
— BC Women's Lacrosse (@BCwlax) February 4, 2021
WHAT’S ON TAP
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Our preseason Nike/US Lacrosse rankings countdown continues with our No. 2 teams — the Syracuse men and the Notre Dame women.
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Nelson Rice captures the joys of returning to the field with the Duke men's team.
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Who are the most influential Black lacrosse athletes and coaches of all time? Blaxers Blog with the story.