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Good morning. Here’s the latest from around the lacrosse world:

1. The FIL World Championship semifinals are set. With No. 1 seed Team USA and No. 2 seed Canada earning byes in the quarterfinals, we had two matchups to decide the final two spots in the semis.

Up first was arguably the most surprising team in the tournament, Puerto Rico, against the Iroquois Nationals. For Puerto Rico, the FIL World Championship was already success, but due to the organization’s associate member status, it was not allowed to compete for a medal entering the tournament. The FIL Board, with the prospect of Puerto Rico making the semis, voted Wednesday morning to allow the team to be eligible to medal.

Thus, we had a meaningful game on our hands. Puerto Rico jumped out to an early lead and the teams were tied 5-5 at half.

The Iroquois Nationals, though, continued to attack and pulled away late thanks to timely goals from Kyle Jackson and Ty Thompson, downing the underdogs 14-7 and advancing to face Canada.

On the other side of the bracket, host Israel had a shot at advancing to the semifinals for the first time ever. However, the Australians stood in its way.

Just like Puerto Rico, Israel grabbed an early lead. But the Australians scored four of five goals out of halftime to take a 7-5 lead in the third quarter. Israel tried to claw back, with Max Seibald taking over in the fourth quarter.

However, the Australians held on by taking time off the clock on offense and playing timely defense, beating Israel 9-6 and advancing to face the U.S. today at 2 p.m.

But for the hosts, this tournament was another step in building a future for lacrosse in Israel.

Click here for a full TV schedule for today.

2. MLL history will be made this weekend. With Denver Outlaws’ goalies Jack Kelly (Team USA) and Dillon Ward (Canada) competing in the FIL World Championships, there’s a void in between the pipes.

In steps Kaisuke Iwamoto, who will become the first Japanese player to compete in an MLL game. Iwamoto, the UC Irvine club alum who was born in Tokyo, will get the start against the Dallas Rattlers on Sunday.

Speaking of the Rattlers, they’ve only played 11 games, but it’s already starting to feel like home for many players that came from Rochester. With upgraded facilities and a passionate fan base, the Rattlers are enjoying themselves in Texas.

It doesn’t hurt that the team is 9-2, with help from U.S. national team stars Jordan Wolf and Joel White, and became the only team in the league to clinch a playoff spot.

3. ICYMI: Former Colgate coach Mike Murphy has joined on at the Hill School (Pa.) as its head coach.

Murphy resigned from his post at Colgate on June 19, but shared his thought on Twitter yesterday.

4. The Boston Storm moved to 3-1 on the UWLX season with an 11-8 win over the Baltimore Ride on Wednesday night in Bel Air, Md. Kayla Treanor highlighted the Storm effort, turning in five points.

The Philadelphia Force topped the defending champion Long Island Sound 12-10 in the second game on Wednesday to improve to 4-0. Alyssa Murray chipped in four goals to help the Force.

WHAT WE’RE READING

WHAT WE’RE WATCHING

Isaac Paparo was not going to let this shot in the cage, so much so that he blocked it with his long pole.

Uganda and Iroquois ran into each other on Wednesday and took part in a traditional song and dance. This is what the world championships are all about.

When Australia and Israel matched up Wednesday, it brought two of the most passionate fan bases at the world championships together. Fun ensued. 

Zoe Stukenberg shares her thoughts on why Maryland coach Cathy Reese is special.

WHAT’S ON TAP

  • The FIL Men’s Lacrosse World Championships semifinals get underway today. Canada and Iroquois go at it at 11 a.m. ET, and the U.S. faces Australia at 2 p.m. ET.

  • More on Wurzburger coming later today.

  • Subscribe today to our weekly email newsletter and stay connected to each week's top lacrosse stories. The newsletter goes out every Thursday.

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