Good morning. Here’s the latest from around the lacrosse world:
1. The Division III men’s final four is set.
Wesleyan got the result of the day, using a Taylor Ghesquiere goal with 20 seconds left to shock Tufts 12-11 and move on to its second straight semifinal appearance. The Cardinals lost two previous meetings with Tufts this season.
RIT continued its undefeated season with a dominant with over York. Kyle Killen had five goals and an assist to lead the way.
MLAX | @RITMensLax improves to 21-0 on the season with a 12-7 win over @YCPathletics in the @NCAALAX Quarterfinal! #RIT will host @Wes_Athletics Sunday! #RITNews #TigerPride pic.twitter.com/W7H54HPt8t
— RIT Athletics (@RITathletics) May 17, 2018
Salisbury moved within two games of a 3-peat with a 9-7 win over Dickinson. The Seagulls have won 13 straight games since a March 24 loss moved them to 6-3.
Gettysburg was the first team to punch its ticket, doing so with an 8-5 win over Ohio Wesleyan. Andrew Garstka had a hat trick for the Bullets.
Click here for a full roundup of Wednesday's action.
2. Stony Brook, undefeated in the regular season but seeded fifth in the NCAA tournament, and Boston College, the second-to-last undefeated team, will meet in what could be the biggest game in Division I women’s lacrosse this season.
Come Saturday, two teams that felt slighted by the NCAA Selection Committee will battle for a final four spot — a game that seems fit for a championship. The buzz is already palpable surrounding Newton Campus Lacrosse Field.
For Boston College and coach Acacia Walker-Weinstein, it’s best to maintain a level head ahead of the biggest game of the Eagles’ slate thus far. Stony Brook and coach Joe Spallina are taking a different approach.
“We don’t run from the noise,” he said. “We embrace it. ... The mood is what you expect of a hungry group of people who feel disrespected.”
3. Albany men’s lacrosse, again, is one game away from its first final four appearance. Each year, it seems the pressure on the Great Danes to break through gets stronger.
But you wouldn’t know it if you watched this team play. Albany remains a reflection of coach Scott Marr, whose charisma and passion for his players has been evident since he stepped foot on campus in 2000.
Despite the expectations placed on a team that stood at No. 1 country for a portion of 2018, Marr preaches to his players to enjoy the ride.
“No disrespect to teams that travel in suits and have no facial hair, but that’s just not us.” — @UAlbanyMLax assistant coach and former player Liam Gleason
— US Lacrosse Magazine (@USLacrosseMag) May 16, 2018
https://t.co/vfx6jX9QJd pic.twitter.com/N7DWUlonun
“We want our guys to grow and enjoy playing and playing well,” Marr said. “I want every practice day and game day to be fun. I want us living in the moment, enjoying it and playing for the opportunity to reveal our character.”
4. Who is the real Marie McCool? North Carolina’s star, and a gold medalist for Team USA, isn’t as introverted as some of the greats before her.
She has the energy and personality that makes her as fun as she is talented. Whether it’s going on about The Bachelor or praising her teammates, McCool always has something to talk about.
But when the game starts, she’s dialed in. Hear from those that have seen firsthand the enigma that is Marie McCool.
5. Jacksonville University announced Wednesday that it will begin construction on the Jacksonville Lacrosse Center this summer. The $1.875 facility will house both the men’s and women’s lacrosse teams and is set for completion for fall of 2018.
Both teams are coming off winning seasons in 2018, with the men (lead by Team USA’s John Galloway) going 8-7 and the women finishing 16-4 on the year.
6. Former Maryland great Rennie Smith, who led the Terps to an undefeated season in 1955, died Sunday. He was 86.
Smith played for Maryland from 1952-1955 and was a three-time USILA All-American. He helped lead the Terps to the 1955 national championship. Smith finished his career as Maryland's all-time leading scorer.
He returned to College Park to serve as an assistant coach in the 1960s and 1970s.
WHAT WE’RE READING
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UMass-Lowell coach Carissa Medeiros recounts what went through her mind when she heard of the accident involving Riverhawks star Noelle Lambert. She provides a glimpse into how she built from the tragedy — learning from how her players handled the situation.
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Getting to know New York Lizards star Drew Adams, who will man the cage at 31 years old.
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Boston College's Carly Bell, part of the Eagles’ winningest senior class in school history, is not ready for her career to end as they face Stony Brook two days before graduation.
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Five questions with Maryland freshman Anthony DeMaio.
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Former George Fox University (Ore.) women’s lacrosse coach Natalie Harrington, who resigned in April of 2017, filed a federal lawsuit claiming sexual discrimination for not promoting her from part-time to full-time.
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With father Scott Marr coaching Albany and son Kyle Marr battling for a final four with Johns Hopkins, it’ll be a big weekend for the Marr family.
WHAT WE’RE WATCHING
Reminiscing with Gary Gait and others on the 30th anniversary of lacrosse's most iconic shot and how it changed the game forever.
The Lacrosse Network goes behind-the-scenes with one of the nation's best high school lacrosse programs at Culver Academy (Ind.).
What's Florida women's lacrosse up to in between NCAA tournament games? How about a game of rapid fire questions, featuring many of the faces of the Gators team?
What shows does #FLax watch when they’re off the field? Find out on this episode of Rapid Fire pic.twitter.com/mRjL86vPBP
— Gators Lacrosse (@GatorsLAX) May 16, 2018
WHAT’S ON TAP
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Learn more about James Madison star Kristen Gaudian in a feature out day.
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The backbone of the U.S. men's national team could be a group of faceless men that make up the defense, featuring Tucker Durkin, Joe Fletcher and Jesse Bernhardt.
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No NCAA tournament games today, enough time to take a breath before the excitement of the weekend approaches.
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