Good morning. Here’s the latest from around the lacrosse world:
1. US Lacrosse yesterday announced playing rules for box lacrosse in the U.S. for ages 6U and up. The move comes following significant work by a task force that involved many of the leaders in the indoor game.
Perhaps of note, it's one set of rules governing play for boys and girls.
“The development of US Lacrosse rules for domestic box play is a natural extension of our organization's evolving and increased commitment to the indoor game,” Steve Stenersen, president and CEO of US Lacrosse, said in a press release.
US Lacrosse will extend its popular insurance program for members to include coverage for box lacrosse played by the approved rules.
BIG for the growth of box lacrosse in [USA]! https://t.co/GVeSMnHLoo
— Jordan Ruggeri (@CoachJRuggeri) October 17, 2017
We would have liked to be consulted but ... This is a big step forward for box lacrosse in the U.S. https://t.co/iLKI07ptJ5
— BostonBoxLax (@BostonBoxLax) October 17, 2017
2. #BestOfLax continued yesterday with our four finalists for best women's lacrosse coach of 2017. In alphabetical order, the nominees are Ricky Fried of Team USA, Cathy Reese of Maryland, Cindy Timchal of Navy and Acacia Walker of Boston College.
Tough call separating these four from other terrific coaching performances of this year, among them Ann Elliott leading fourth-year Colorado to the NCAA tournament and national rankings. Blame Twitter for limiting polls to four options. Or blame us for using Twitter.
Regardless, go vote on this and other #BestOfLax polls. Results and stories will be published in the December edition of US Lacrosse Magazine. Become a member of US Lacrosse to start your subscription to the print magazine.
VOTE #BestOfLax Women's Coach: @USLacrosse Fried, @MarylandWLax Reese, @NavyWLax Timchal, @BCwlax Walker | https://t.co/3WbUIP7Ujq
— US Lacrosse Magazine (@USLacrosseMag) October 17, 2017
3. The U.S. will turn to a mix of indoor lacrosse veterans and newcomers when it plays rival Canada Saturday in the Heritage Cup at FirstOntario Center in Hamilton (ticket information). Theoretically the NLL players dotting the Team USA roster were newcomers at some point, and some such transitions from the field game have gone exceptionally well.
Former Syracuse star Joel White, for example, has enjoyed a five-year NLL career and helped Georgia win the league championship in 2017. He's one of seven players on the U.S. Heritage Cup roster that played for bronze medalist Team USA in the 2015 FIL World Indoor Championship. White cited the increased oversight of US Lacrosse and involvement of veteran indoor coaches Regy Thorpe and Tony Resch.
Tom Schreiber, also a member of the U.S. training team for the 2018 FIL field championship, sandwiched the 2017 NLL Rookie of the Year award between back-to-back MLL MVP awards. Successful, quick adjustments to box lacrosse certainly can happen, and we'll see how Rob Pannell fares in his first such game Saturday.
The Heritage Cup will face off at 7 p.m. ET.
4. Tough news from the Colorado Mammoth: team captain and defenseman Dan Coates will miss the 2017-18 season due to an ACL injury.
Heal up, Coatesy. https://t.co/K0L2jJPUdk
— Colorado Mammoth (@MammothLax) October 17, 2017
Coates has been with Colorado since it selected him with its second of two first-round draft picks in 2011. He's won multiple franchise awards, as voted on by his teammates, for his leadership and play on the floor.
A 2015 indoor and 2014 outdoor FIL gold medalist with Team Canada, Coates helped the Mammoth lead the NLL in fewest goals allowed last season. He led the team with 29 caused turnovers.
5. Lastly, as hump day this week continues in the form of a box, Philadelphia's re-incarnated NLL franchise has selected three finalists for team names to be voted on by fans: Fire, Founders, and Wings. Vote here until Monday, Nov. 13.