Good morning. Here’s the latest from around the lacrosse world:
1. We're getting ready for the start of the 2020 season with a fresh new look. Our Dialed In logo has changed, but our commitment to bringing you the news and fun from around the lacrosse world remains unwavering. Thanks for joining us each morning.
2. The IWLCA released its preseason polls for 2020 on Monday and all three reigning NCAA champions — Maryland, Adelphi and Middlebury — top the charts.
3. Once known for its offense, defense is helping to forge a new identity for the Duke men who come into 2020 ranked No. 5 in the Nike/US Lacrosse preseason rankings. The Blue Devils host Air Force on Saturday.
Nakeie Montgomery bloomed late as a freshman. Last year, he had 27 of his 39 points in the last eight games. A breakout year could be at hand for No. 5 @DukeMLAX.
— US Lacrosse Magazine (@USLacrosseMag) January 28, 2020
NCAA PREVIEW: https://t.co/tXhcQOMJvm pic.twitter.com/XQ4Z3SCYMb
4. Boston College has to replace the Big Three — Sam Apuzzo, Dempsey Arsenault and Kenzie Kent — and All-American defender Elizabeth Miller, but the addition of transfers Rachel Hall and Charlotte North has taken some pressure off and has the No. 5 Eagles looking to make another deep run in May.
With the graduation of its "Big Three," No. 5 @BCwlax is counting on players like Cara Urbank and Sheila Rietano to take the next step offensively.
— US Lacrosse Magazine (@USLacrosseMag) January 28, 2020
Can the Eagles find their way back to Championship Weekend?
NCAA PREVIEW: https://t.co/uDJJEQiK5H pic.twitter.com/WA7CaPfsUY
5. “She gets noticed for her goals, but she does the things that are tough for the outside world to measure. Draw controls, rides, leadership. She doesn’t take a drill off in practice. She wants to be great.” Adelphi coach Pat McCabe with high praise for Kole Pollock, the US Lacrosse Preseason Player of the Year for NCAA Division II women’s lacrosse.
6. From the Beastie Boys to Slapshot to an item he checked off his bucket list, get to know Merrimack men’s lacrosse coach Mike Morgan, our monthly Give & Go interviewee.
7. Josh Byrne was the brightest star in a big National Lacrosse League weekend that saw all 13 teams in action.
WHAT WE’RE READING
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Former US Lacrosse Magazine columnist Bill Tanton on Gene Corrigan, a National Lacrosse Hall of Fame inductee who died on Saturday: “Gene held all those important jobs because he was the right man for all of them. He was smart, of course, and he loved sports, and he had the right personality - he was upbeat and positive, he was enormously likeable and people from coast-to-coast were quick to say he was a great guy.”
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Late-season disappointments have fueled Syracuse faceoff specialist Jakob Phaup this offseason.
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Colorado’s women’s lacrosse team will jump right into the fray with a season-opening test against Florida next weekend.
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The Marquette Wire with a look at new head men’s lacrosse coach Andrew Stimmel.
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Temple’s men’s club team, a first-year participant in the MCLA, has some chemistry through high school connections.
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The National Lacrosse League has signed a commercial partnership deal with AT&T.
WHAT WE’RE WATCHING
Safe to say that Ohio State coach Travis Crane enjoys his job.
Coach Crane dialing in the defense for our home opener on February 4th.
— Ohio State Men's LAX (@OhioStateMLAX) January 27, 2020
More : https://t.co/KaiSZFvTeP#GoBucks | #Compete pic.twitter.com/X3YUhNPBst
WHAT’S ON TAP
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The Nike/US Lacrosse preseason previews continue with the No. 4 teams — Maryland (men) and Northwestern (women).
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The Premier Lacrosse League is expected to announce a fourth summer tour stop today.