Good morning. Here’s the latest from around the lacrosse world:
1. Ryan Flanagan’s return to the field was significant. It was the first time he played with the New York Lizards, but it was also the first game he played since tearing his ACL, MCL and meniscus last July with the Charlotte Hounds.
2. Our way-early projections for Division I men continued with a look at the No. 11-15 teams. Yale, Penn State, Loyola, Johns Hopkins and Army find themselves in our Top 15 for 2018.
3. In our Division I women projected rankings, Towson, Duke, Virginia, Notre Dame and USC were highlighted at No. 11-15, all hoping for consistency in 2018 despite graduating key players.
4. Trilogy director of events Dave Madeira shared how his company creates a lacrosse community, bringing staff and event participants closer together.
What We’re Reading
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The Philly Voice asked its readers, “Is Matt Rambo the greatest lacrosse player to ever come out of Philadelphia?”
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Former Virginia coach Dom Starsia writes about the art of passing for Inside Lacrosse.
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Team USA assistants Amy Bokker, Liz Robertshaw and Jess Wilk share the value they see in the U.S. program.
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Kristin Igoe, former member of Team USA and Boston College graduate, and Tanner Guarino, former UMass standout, talk about how they balance being teammates, rival coaches, business partners and sisters-in-laws.
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The Shaker boys’ lacrosse team, based in Latham, N.Y., the Section II trophy for the first time in 17 years and booster club co-president Peter Gannon said regardless of the rules, the athletes gained invaluable experience in character development, leadership and teamwork.
What We’re Watching
Atlanta Blaze long stick midfielder Scott Ratliff spoke with Lax Sports Network on raising the most money in Major League Lacrosse’s “Real Men Wear Pink” Challenge. On his own, he raised $8,121 for the American Cancer Society, and as a whole, the MLL raised over $33,000.
“I coach at Greater Atlanta Christian High School and one of the things we talked about in our locker room all season is a commitment to serving others and giving back,” said Ratliff. “It was about raising money to help those affected and it was about setting an example for younger people about what making an effort to give back looks like.”
.@AtlantaBlaze @Srat2 on winning #MLLRealMen Challenge w/ $8,121 for @AmericanCancer + locked in a battle with @DenverOutlaws @dsnides23 pic.twitter.com/DxUcu7KuTM
— Lax Sports Network (@LaxSportsNet) June 7, 2017
What’s On Tap
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The countdown continues. Megan Schneider and Patrick Stevens name Nos. 6-10 in their way-early 2018 Division I women’s and men’s rankings.
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Get excited for Chasing Rings, Part IV, an exclusive behind-the-scenes video featuring the U.S. Women’s World Cup Team in their journey to England and Poland this summer, which will be released this afternoon.
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