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

1. Team USA clinched the No. 1 seed in Federation of International Lacrosse World Championship’s Blue Division yesterday by downing Scotland, 18-2.

The win lifted Team USA to 4-0 ahead of today’s 11 a.m. ET matchup against England on ESPNU.

Ryan Brown had six goals and an assist to lead the way, including three scores in the first quarter as Team USA scored the first seven goals of the game. The Americans assisted on 14 of 18 goals (box score).

2. What is game day like for Team USA?

It’s full of “boyish enthusiasm,” according to attackman Marcus Holman. He’s walked the walk, too; or danced the dance, if you prefer, cutting a rug in hallway of the team hotel as part of pregame routine.

Longstick midfielder Joel White appreciated the fortune of waking up each and knowing a game awaits just a few hours away.

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3. Meanwhile, Canada stifled the Iroquois Nationals, 10-5, yesterday thanks largely to goalie Dillon Ward.

Ward, MVP of the 2014 FIL World Championship for defending gold medalist Canada, made 24 saves, including 12 in a first quarter that saw the Iroquois come away fruitless despite launching 20 shots. The Iroquois outshot the Canadians for the game, 51-32.

Longtime friend and Canadian defenseman Brodie Merrill credited Ward’s personality for why he frequently shines in big games: “He’s a really calm, laidback guy. ... He’s got a quiet intensity about him.”

4. Elsewhere, the FIL World Championship represents the latest in a fascinating international journey for South Korean brothers and teammates Min Jae Yoo and Min Seung Yoo.

Each has found somewhat of a purpose in lacrosse and in life, having spent time in multiple countries, including the U.S. at Penn and Yale, respectively.

5. The National Lacrosse League yesterday conducted an expansion draft for the Philadelphia and San Diego franchises, which will begin play in the 2018-19 season

The Toronto Rock may have wished otherwise, losing valuable forwards Brett Hickey to the Philadelphia Wings and Turner Evans to the San Diego Seals in the first two picks. In all, each expansion team selected nine players to help build their inaugural rosters.

6. Brown attacker Hafsa Moinuddin rankled some community feathers by becoming the first female in her family to play sports — several of them, to boot.

She has found confidence and a new life in lacrosse.

WHAT WE’RE READING

  • Fox5Atlanta.com profiled a local high school graduate and Adelphi University player that’s suiting up for his native Russia in the FIL World Championship.

  • The Boston Globe went behind the scenes with the Major League Lacrosse All-Stars in their matchup with Team USA at Harvard Stadium.

  • Lacrosse All Stars highlighted one of the many interns working to make the FIL World Championship in Israel a success.

  • The Queens Gazette (N.Y.) saluted 13-year-old Mason Batz, perhaps the bravest player ever signed by the New York Lizards.

  • Inside Lacrosse has Quint Kessenich’s latest blog from Israel.

WHAT WE’RE WATCHING

Have a look at more from the best rivalry in international lacrosse, as the fifth episode of The Vlog takes you behind the scenes of the U.S.-Canada matchup.

 

WHAT’S ON TAP

  • As mentioned, the U.S. plays England at 11 a.m. ET today (ESPNU) to wrap-up Blue Division pool play. Regardless of the result, Team USA has earned a bye through the quarterfinals tomorrow and will play in the 2 p.m. ET semifinal Thursday.

  • From the July/August issue of US Lacrosse Magazine, we’ll have a look at Tewaaraton Award winner Zoe Stukenberg of Maryland.

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