Good morning. Here’s the latest from around the lacrosse world:
1. Atlanta is the epicenter of the latest pro lacrosse rumblings.
On the same day the Premier Lacrosse League announced it would return to Atlanta as part of its 2020 schedule, College Crosse’s Chris Jastrzembski reported that Major League Lacrosse is relocating the Atlanta Blaze to Philadelphia — bringing an MLL team back to the place where the Barrage won three championships in the 2000s.
Some MLL news: The Atlanta Blaze are relocating to Philadelphia, sources tell @College_Crosse. Philly will have their first MLL team since the Barrage’s last season in 2008.
— Chris Jastrzembski (@Chris_Jast) January 14, 2020
It marked the latest in an avalanche of news surrounding both leagues, including Monday’s reports that MLL would become a single-entity league. The PLL game will be June 6 at Fifth Third Bank Stadium, which was the Blaze’s home stadium for three seasons (2016-18).
2. Defending MCLA Division I champion South Carolina is ranked No. 1 in the Nike/US Lacrosse Preseason Top 20, while Cal’s Jake Pistotnik was named the US Lacrosse Magazine Preseason Player of the Year.
3. Is Molly Dougherty the heir apparent to Megan Taylor as the preeminent goalie in college women’s lacrosse? Looking at James Madison’s schedule, the Dukes will need Dougherty to stand on her head more often than not.
4. UMass’ Chris Connolly, one of the top table-setters in New England and perhaps the country, factors prominently in the Minutemen’s selection as the No. 14-ranked team in the Nike/US Lacrosse Division I Men’s Preseason Top 20.
WHAT WE’RE READING
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A high school girls’ lacrosse player from Nevada won a $10,000 prize on “America’s Funniest Home Videos” thanks to a video her younger brother submitted of her sedative-induced breakdown following a dental procedure, according to the Coloradoan.
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Kevin Donahue, a fixture on the Syracuse men’s lacrosse sideline for the last 32 years, has left the program after serving for five months in a reduced volunteer role, the Post-Standard reported Tuesday.
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Inside Lacrosse’s Kyle Devitte analyzed the PLL’s protected rosters, including the top unprotected player and one they’ll want back for each of the six teams.
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The most memorable moments of the US Lacrosse Convention in Philadelphia.
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Ford Higgins, a 6-foot-2, 260-pound center for Navy’s 20th-ranked football team, will suit up for the lacrosse team this spring. Higgins was an all-state attackman in high school at Greater Atlanta Christian, scoring 71 goals as a senior.
WHAT WE’RE WATCHING
Outtakes from Lax Sports Network’s around-the-clock coverage of LaxCon.
.@LaxSportsNet shares the best of their #LaxCon2020 interviews with @GregBeast32, @kylieohlmiller, @mariemccool4, @DD2seven, @trevorbaptiste9 and @KyleHarrison18pic.twitter.com/yk0UK7r5F2
— US Lacrosse (@USLacrosse) January 14, 2020
Party on, Bandits.
It's 90s Night in Dhane's World Saturday!
— Buffalo Bandits (@NLLBandits) January 15, 2020
Be there for the most excellent night: https://t.co/WAnQgin8we pic.twitter.com/G6BzJQeux8
Chris Price, a two-year starter on defense for the High Point men’s lacrosse team, may never live down this indiscretion.
High Point Lacrosse Tip of the Day:
— High Point Lacrosse (@HPUMensLax) January 14, 2020
When the drill runs long make sure your teammate isn’t mic’d before you share your 2 cents. #coachisalwayslistening # pic.twitter.com/Ig9nujwL1y
WHAT’S ON TAP
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No. 13 Ohio State (men) and Denver (women) are up next in our college preseason countdown.
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We’ll unveil Nike/US Lacrosse WCLA Division II Women’s Preseason Top 20 and Preseason Player of the Year.