Good morning. Here’s the latest from around the lacrosse world:
1. The Division I Men’s Preseason Top 20 rolled on with No. 19 Towson and No. 18 Princeton.
For Princeton and coach Matt Madalon, it’s a matter of finding consistency within the program. With the last few years becoming a revolving door of assistants, Madalon is hoping to find an identity that will stick for his Tigers.
He’s found some of what he’s looking for in Pat March’s offense, which finished second in the nation in scoring last year. Back is sophomore sensation Michael Sowers and U.S. U19 member Austin Sims.
As for Towson, coach Shawn Nadelen will have to manage losing 80 percent of his program’s offense and two-thirds of the rope unit that helped the Tigers advance to their first final four since 2001. The good news is that Zach Goodrich, whom Nadelen called the best player in the country, is back.
Yes, there will be some new faces on both offense and defense, but Nadelen remains the constant. He has interviewed with Princeton and Michigan, but his heart stays with Towson.
2. In the Women's Divison I Preseason Top 20, Duke came in at No. 19 following its first losing season in over two decades. The Blue Devils bring back much of their offense, but will have to fill holes all over the defense.
Still, coach Kerstin Kimel said a strong freshman class is eagerly awaiting its first action on the Division I scene. Names like Catriona Barry and Charlotte North could make impacts immediately, with the hopes that Duke can flip the script quickly.
“For us. not just making the tournament, but performing well in the tournament is always our goal and our expectation," Kimel said. "It’s up to our staff to get us to that position and obviously the team’s responsibility to play up to their potential. That kind of dual effort is something we work toward all year.”
UMass appears at No. 18 in the rankings after falling to Navy in the NCAA tournament last year. The focus for this offseason has been solidfying a defense that allowed nearly 11 goals per game last season.
If players like senior Kristen LoManto can fuel a resurgence of the Minutewomen defense, another NCAA tournament run might be in the works. UMass returns two of its top offensive weapons in leading scorer Holly Turner, as well as Kylie Anderson.
3. The New York Lizards picked up former Notre Dame standout defenseman Matt Landis in a trade with the Boston Cannons on Tuesday. The Lizards received Landis in exchange for Ryan Walsh, Scott Firman and the fifth overall pick in the 2018 Supplemental Draft.
Landis, the former Tewaaraton Award finalist, played in 11 games with the Cannons and recorded 40 ground balls and 14 caused turnovers.
“We approached this off season looking to shore up a few positions and getting another top level defensemen, so when a big time player like Matt becomes available, you do all you can to make it happen,” Lizards General Manager and coach Joe Spallina said.
As for the Cannons' side of the deal, they get a top pick in addition to two solid players after struggling last season. Joe Keegan of Moneyball Lacrosse breaks down what Walsh’s arrival in Boston could mean.
ICYMI: The @BostonCannons traded for Ryan Walsh, who is good at running over/through people in his way: https://t.co/L0agfc1vuy pic.twitter.com/voyDuokAfD
— Joe Keegan (@joekeegs) January 11, 2018