Good morning. Here’s the latest from around the lacrosse world:
1. Want to wear the red, white and blue? The formal application process for the 2018 U.S. Men's Team opened on Monday. Head coach John Danowski and staff will review the applications before issuing invites for the tryouts July 9-11 at US Lacrosse headquarters in Sparks, Md. Applications are due by April 21.
2. This week’s Nike/US Lacrosse rankings saw major movement on the men's side, led by Ohio State vaulting from No. 18 to No. 3 following wins over Towson and Denver. The Buckeyes are one of four unbeaten teams left in Division I, joining No. 1 Penn State, No. 4 Rutgers and No. 5 Hofstra.
On the women’s side, Maryland kept rolling to stay at No. 1 and Colorado moved into the Top 5 for the first time ever. Towson also jumped to No. 12 and Boston College and Virginia re-entered the rankings.
A look at the major-college and junior-college polls released on Monday:
Nike/USL Rankings
MD1 | WD1 | MD2 | WD2 | MD3 | WD3
Maverik/Cascade/IL Media Polls
MD1 | WD1
USILA Polls
MD1 | MD2 | MD3
IWLCA Polls
WD1 | WD2 | WD3
Junior College Men
3. The Epoch/US Lacrosse Players of the Week are Virginia's Kelly Reese on the women's side and Ohio State's Tom Carey on the men's side.
What We’re Reading
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You’ve heard about the legend of Hall of Fame NFL running back Jim Brown on the lacrosse field. Now his son, Aris, is following in his footsteps as a freshman wearing #32 for the Sierra Canyon (Calif.) High School team.
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Despite some key graduation losses, and costly injuries, Rutgers is one of four unbeatens left in men’s Division I lacrosse and moved to No. 1 in the media poll this week. What’s gone right for the Scarlet Knights this season?
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Want to play? Then bring your shovel. Some great shots of the Montville (Conn.) High School lacrosse teams getting their field ready to play.
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Colorado high school players are reaping the benefits of having professional lacrosse players as their coaches.
What We’re Watching
Ah bus trips. Notre Dame senior faceoff specialist P.J. Finley helps the Irish pass the time with his fourth annual rendition of “Hero.”
The 4th Annual PJ Finley Bus Karaoke encore rendition of "Hero" .
— Notre Dame Lacrosse (@NDlacrosse) March 20, 2017
Like the 1st time, everytime. #VoiceOfAnAngel https://t.co/DYEZfZCDjD
Lots of lacrosse folks sharing the words of Connecticut women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma…
I'd rather lose than to watch some kids play the way they play. - Coach Geno Auriemma #character #enthusiasm #Recruiting pic.twitter.com/hcxiOUbYLC
— Basketball Coach™ (@bball_tips23) March 18, 2017
What’s On Tap
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Nothing like a Top 10 weekday matinee. No. 5 Princeton (5-0) hosts No. 6 Penn State (8-1) at 2 p.m. in women’s lacrosse. Princeton’s Ivy League rival Cornell is the only team to hold Penn State’s offense to single digits this season.
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The battle for Long Island pits No. 5 Hofstra hosting Stony Brook in men’s lacrosse tonight at 7 p.m. on Lax Sports Network. Hofstra is 6-0 with five of those victories coming by two goals or less. The Seawolves scored 51 goals in their first three games – all wins, but have just 22 goals in their three most recent games.
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After a week-plus break due to weather, Tierney Field at US Lacrosse will return to action, and it’s a good one. Salisbury and Colby, ranked 14th and 16th, respectively, in the Nike/US Lacrosse NCAA Division III women’s rankings, battle beginning at 2 p.m. In another big Division II game, No. 5 St. John Fisher heads to No. 11 William Smith.