Lacrosse The Thread

[Nonlinear FC]

Yeah, mostly true, but... California has a ton of lax as does Colorado. But, yeah, the real hotbeds are in Long Island, Maryland and Ontario.

[Shirley]

Yeah, it's not everywhere yet, but it's still pretty popular. There are 140 varsity teams in North Carolina, for example. It looks like 24 states have official state championships.

[wlu_lax6]

2 of the best players in the country are from Portland Oregon this year.

This was from a few years ago but you are seeing this type of change.
https://lacrossereference.com/2017/02/1 ... 1-players/

Also look at D3 list of schools...it continues to grow
https://www.ncsasports.org/mens-lacross ... 0and%20SAC.

MCLA (virtual varsity) is having their championship right now. They are competitive to mid table D3 teams in good conferences (For example my very good D3 school beat Va Tech and Liberty pretty handedly but not as embarrassingly as some of their regular season wins against conference opponents)
D1
BYU v. Michigan St
Texas v. Simon Fraser (Canadian team from Vancouver)
Chapman v. Utah Valley
LIberty v. Northeastern
Banana Slugs v. Colorado
TN v. San Diego St.
VA Tech v. Arizona State
GA Tech v. Cal

D2
Bridgewater State v. Air Force
St. Thomas v. Missouri State
Grand Valley St v. Montana
Montana St. V. Tulane
Cal State SanMarco v. Kennesaw St.
UNC Charlotte v. Northwest Nazarene
Rhode Island v. Costal Carolina
Florida Atlantic v. UC SD

[Nonlinear FC]

It's a weird sport, in terms of growing it at the youth level.

Soccer "spread" like wildfire in the 70s and 80s for a bunch of reasons. First off, it was already deeply embedded in a ton of immigrant communities. That's why fairly random cities like St. Louis was a "hot bed" pretty early on. It's also not, on the face of it, an expensive sport to stand up*. You can get the fields and goals and then the player just needs cleats (ideally), shin guards and a ball (again, ideally.)

Lacrosse and Hockey have traditionally been hyper-regional and, probably more importantly in terms of growth, they are both WAY more expensive. Just the equipment in hockey is hella expensive. Less so in lacrosse, but it's still an issue. And then, with hockey, the rink is an issue for many communities that might want to start a new league.

* - I'm not talking about current day youth soccer. I'm talking about, literally, starting up leagues and what it used to cost to join a team.

[wlu_lax6]

No upsets in the first round so far. JHU did not look good against Lehigh. But Towson up 9-8 with Cuse at half time.

The D3 tournament has had a few upsets. W&L upset Lynchburg (but W&L beat them in the regular season and did not catch them in the conference tournament because W&L duffed in the semis). W&L gets the #1 ranked Salisbury next Saturday. Bowdoin (upset RPI) plays Middlebury, RIT play Christopher Newport, and Tufts v. St. John Fisher. Tufts and St. John Fisher are in the Salisbury pod. and Christopher Newport (VA Beach) will head up north.

[wlu_lax6]

Well cuse ran away in the 3rd. First time in 20 years that all top seeds advanced.

[Shirley]

A few interesting stats from the UVA win. Payton Cormier scored 8 goals, breaking the UVA record for goals in an NCAA tourney game. In the process, he also broke the UVA record for goals in a season. And on top of THAT he broke the NCAA record for career goals. It's good to play alongside Connor Shellenberger for four years.

Curiously, Cormier wasn't even drafted in the recent PLL draft. Could you imagine a basketball player at a major program (e.g. Duke or Kansas) breaking Maravich's scoring record and then not getting drafted by the NBA?

[wlu_lax6]

A few interesting stats from the UVA win. Payton Cormier scored 8 goals, breaking the UVA record for goals in an NCAA tourney game. In the process, he also broke the UVA record for goals in a season. And on top of THAT he broke the NCAA record for career goals. It's good to play alongside Connor Shellenberger for four years.

Curiously, Cormier wasn't even drafted in the recent PLL draft. Could you imagine a basketball player at a major program (e.g. Duke or Kansas) breaking Maravich's scoring record and then not getting drafted by the NBA?

Pro game is different and small rosters makes certain skill sets way more valuable. Long Stick athletes and Midfield Athletes are the most valuable players. If you are a traditional attackmen the open spots are way more competitive.

[wlu_lax6]

Just going back to locations
4 of the 14 1st team AAs are from non-traditional hotbeds
* Roswell, GA
* Portland, OR
* Palo Alto
* Park City

[Nonlinear FC]

A few interesting stats from the UVA win. Payton Cormier scored 8 goals, breaking the UVA record for goals in an NCAA tourney game. In the process, he also broke the UVA record for goals in a season. And on top of THAT he broke the NCAA record for career goals. It's good to play alongside Connor Shellenberger for four years.

Curiously, Cormier wasn't even drafted in the recent PLL draft. Could you imagine a basketball player at a major program (e.g. Duke or Kansas) breaking Maravich's scoring record and then not getting drafted by the NBA?

Pro game is different and small rosters makes certain skill sets way more valuable. Long Stick athletes and Midfield Athletes are the most valuable players. If you are a traditional attackmen the open spots are way more competitive.

As mentioned a few months back, I got to see UVa play Michigan in Charlottesville. Cormier is incredible to watch in person. I don't think I've ever seen a guy who moves as little as he does, but scores at the clip he does. It's wild.

But, yeah, to your point, I can see why that's probably not going to translate at the next level.

[Nonlinear FC]

Hopkins is in some kind of rut. They got absolutely shut down by MI in the B1G tourney and they really looked lethargic this weekend. I don't see them getting past the Hoos, unless they have a pretty radical shift. Nice that the game is down the road, though.

[Shirley]

A few interesting stats from the UVA win. Payton Cormier scored 8 goals, breaking the UVA record for goals in an NCAA tourney game. In the process, he also broke the UVA record for goals in a season. And on top of THAT he broke the NCAA record for career goals. It's good to play alongside Connor Shellenberger for four years.

Curiously, Cormier wasn't even drafted in the recent PLL draft. Could you imagine a basketball player at a major program (e.g. Duke or Kansas) breaking Maravich's scoring record and then not getting drafted by the NBA?

Pro game is different and small rosters makes certain skill sets way more valuable. Long Stick athletes and Midfield Athletes are the most valuable players. If you are a traditional attackmen the open spots are way more competitive.

As mentioned a few months back, I got to see UVa play Michigan in Charlottesville. Cormier is incredible to watch in person. I don't think I've ever seen a guy who moves as little as he does, but scores at the clip he does. It's wild.

But, yeah, to your point, I can see why that's probably not going to translate at the next level.

You guys certainly could be right. But on the flip side, being truly elite at one skill is often what makes a good pro, more than being well rounded. That's especially nice if that skill is shooting/scoring.

[Nonlinear FC]

Yeah, let me put it this way... I certainly wouldn't take an even up bet that he won't be successful as a pro. He is incredible at what he does.

[govmentchedda]

Did I read correctly that UF is in the LAX final four? That has to be club, and not D1 level, no?

[Shirley]

Did I read correctly that UF is in the LAX final four? That has to be club, and not D1 level, no?

Women's lacrosse. Still, pretty surprising to me.

[govmentchedda]

Did I read correctly that UF is in the LAX final four? That has to be club, and not D1 level, no?

Women's lacrosse. Still, pretty surprising to me.

The sport is definitely on the rise down here, but I wouldn't have expected that.

[Nonlinear FC]

The fact that they took down MD is very impressive.

[Nonlinear FC]

I had to dig a bit to get my head straight, because I know the SEC doesn't have lacrosse. They are playing in the American Athletic Conference, joined by Vandy for just Women's Lacrosse. A 16 seed that took out #6 MD.

[wlu_lax6]

Notre Dame and Terps go.tonthe Linc next weekend. 2 more quarters tomorrow.

But in BIG news. W&l came back from an 8-1 deficit to beat undefeated and #1 in the nation all year Salisbury. In OT. Ended a 55 game home win streak. Went up 15-12 at one point and survived a bullshit call at 15-14 with 40 seconds left..that led to the tying goal (all 3 refs.are friends of mine and may have sent them a picture of the bad call before the game was over).

[wlu_lax6]

Notre Dame and Terps go.tonthe Linc next weekend. 2 more quarters tomorrow.

But in BIG news. W&l came back from an 8-1 deficit to beat undefeated and #1 in the nation all year Salisbury. In OT. Ended a 55 game home win streak. Went up 15-12 at one point and survived a bullshit call at 15-14 with 40 seconds left..that led to the tying goal (all 3 refs.are friends of mine and may have sent them a picture of the bad call before the game was over).

Oh and the guy who scored the OT winner...from Louisville.

[sancarlos]

There are rich kid schools all over the country. Nobody said there weren’t players coming from all over - that’s a straw man. The point was that lacrosse is not a commonly played sport among the masses except on the eastern seaboard.

[HaulCitgo]

If not for lacrosse who would build the practice fields

[HaulCitgo]

Answer travel baseball but they only want to maintain the grass ones

[wlu_lax6]

Denver over the Cuse and UVA over JHU (2 OT). Both UVA and JHU goalies stood on their heads.

Cuse's goalie from California
UVA's star dman is from San Fran and will be playing hoops at Stanford next year.

The only Northeast thing is just dated and wrong. There are ~300 high school teams in CA and only 174 in Virginia. 225 teams in PA, 100 in CT, 65 teams in UT, 90 in WA. 137 in MI. It is a growing sport and not just the fancy private schools or "good neighborhoods". They are the better teams but it is changing. In the summer, the club recruiting circuit has powerhouses from Seattle, California, Atlanta, Texas, Denver, and Chicago.

[sancarlos]

There are ~300 high school teams in CA.

According to wiki, there are 3,892 high schools in California. You’re not really proving your point.

I’m a hockey fan, and I’ll freely admit that high school hockey is also a niche sport. Nothing wrong with admitting it.

[wlu_lax6]

There are ~300 high school teams in CA.

According to wiki, there are 3,892 high schools in California. You’re not really proving your point.

I’m a hockey fan, and I’ll freely admit that high school hockey is also a niche sport. Nothing wrong with admitting it.

My point is the argument is dated. The sport is rapidly growing and the talent in the sport is coming from all over the place. Even snotty prep schools don't get good without competition.

Interesting question...does California not have many small colleges? Would have expected more than 10 D3 schools in the state (12 d2 schools and 9 NAIA schools).

[sancarlos]

Interesting question...does California not have many small colleges? Would have expected more than 10 D3 schools in the state (12 d2 schools and 9 NAIA schools).

Well, “many” is a subjective term, I guess. 26 D1 schools, plus the 31 “small” schools you noted above, plus 140 jucos, covers the bases ok, I’d guess.

[wlu_lax6]

Interesting question...does California not have many small colleges? Would have expected more than 10 D3 schools in the state (12 d2 schools and 9 NAIA schools).

Well, “many” is a subjective term, I guess. 26 D1 schools, plus the 31 “small” schools you noted above, plus 140 jucos, covers the bases ok, I’d guess.

Well compared to VA and PA and others it is just less schools. I think Philly has more than that. I mean PA has 15 d1 schools, 20+d2, and ~70 D3 schools. Guess the east benefits from first mover advantage in academic institutions.

[Nonlinear FC]

There are just not that many D3 schools west of the Mississippi. This is a fairly constant point of contention/consternation for these schools when it comes to sports because they have a very tough time scheduling out of conference games. No reason for Tufts to hop on a plane to play Colorado College when they can drive to a couple dozen D3 opponents within a few hours.

[Shirley]

Yeah, it's kind of shocking the difference in density of colleges out west if you're used to the east.

[wlu_lax6]

Back to the main thread
the JHU - UVA game was a gut punch. JHU just ran out of steam in overtime. Heat was a factor for both..but TSU stadium can get really hot the way the bowl is built. Last time JHU melted was the final four at Franklin Field in 92 when it was the first hot day. JHU came out in all Black uniforms.

Also W&L went down to Tufts. Thought the game would be a blowout when Tufts when up 4-1, but W&L stormed back. They too ran out of gas in the 4th quarter (and Tufts dropped into a zone defense that W&L could not work through and started shooting from the outside for easy saves). Bummer as I was getting excited to be at Lincoln Financial next weekend.

Also a wild long pole goal in this game that seems to be making the rounds
https://x.com/dkaplan46/status/1792355944401396020

close up view
https://x.com/upstreamlax/status/1792354912510374211

[sancarlos]

Yeah, it's kind of shocking the difference in density of colleges out west if you're used to the east.

Without looking it up, I’d guess it somewhat mirrors the density of population. You can drive a long time between towns in the west. My high school sports league included the Grand Junction-area schools, and all the way to Durango and Cortez, 200 miles away. Road games were sometimes an all-day affair.

[govmentchedda]

UT(ampa) women just won the DII natty.

[Shirley]

UT(ampa) women just won the DII natty.

Interesting. It's great to see the spread.

[wlu_lax6]

UT(ampa) women just won the DII natty.

Interesting. It's great to see the spread.

Tampa's Men's team is good too. They took home the crown last year. DII lax is pretty small. Good teams are basically New York, Florida, and Carolinas.

year, record, conference record place, NCAA tourney record, coach, final position.
2012 11-5 7-1 / 1st* Rory Whipple
2013 11-6 6-1 / 1st* Rory Whipple
2014 16-3 5-0 / 1st 1-1 Rory Whipple NCAA National Semifinalist
2015 15-4 5-0 / 1st 0-1 Rory Whipple NCAA National Quarterfinalist
2016 15-3 5-0 / 1st 1-1 Rory Whipple NCAA National Semifinalist
2017 15-5 5-0 / 1st 1-1 Rory Whipple NCAA National Semifinalist
2018 15-5 5-2 / 3rd 0-1 Rory Whipple NCAA National Quarterfinalist
2019 15-6 6-1 / 1st 1-1 Rory Whipple NCAA National Quarterfinalist
2020 8-0 - - Rory Whipple canceled, Covid-19
2021 10-1 6-0 / 1st 1-1 Rory Whipple NCAA National Semifinalist
2022 21-0 7-0 / 1st 3-0 J.B. Clarke NCAA National Champions
2023 13-4 6-1 / 2nd 0-1 J.B. Clarke NCAA First Round

[govmentchedda]

UT(ampa) women just won the DII natty.

Interesting. It's great to see the spread.

Tampa's Men's team is good too. They took home the crown last year. DII lax is pretty small. Good teams are basically New York, Florida, and Carolinas.

year, record, conference record place, NCAA tourney record, coach, final position.
2012 11-5 7-1 / 1st* Rory Whipple
2013 11-6 6-1 / 1st* Rory Whipple
2014 16-3 5-0 / 1st 1-1 Rory Whipple NCAA National Semifinalist
2015 15-4 5-0 / 1st 0-1 Rory Whipple NCAA National Quarterfinalist
2016 15-3 5-0 / 1st 1-1 Rory Whipple NCAA National Semifinalist
2017 15-5 5-0 / 1st 1-1 Rory Whipple NCAA National Semifinalist
2018 15-5 5-2 / 3rd 0-1 Rory Whipple NCAA National Quarterfinalist
2019 15-6 6-1 / 1st 1-1 Rory Whipple NCAA National Quarterfinalist
2020 8-0 - - Rory Whipple canceled, Covid-19
2021 10-1 6-0 / 1st 1-1 Rory Whipple NCAA National Semifinalist
2022 21-0 7-0 / 1st 3-0 J.B. Clarke NCAA National Champions
2023 13-4 6-1 / 2nd 0-1 J.B. Clarke NCAA First Round

UT is very much a southern outpost of New York, so that makes some sense.

[Shirley]

I misread that as DIII, not DII. Definitely fewer schools there. Still, it's pretty cool. Sorta like Denver winning in D1.

[wlu_lax6]

UT(ampa) women just won the DII natty.

Interesting. It's great to see the spread.

Tampa's Men's team is good too. They took home the crown last year. DII lax is pretty small. Good teams are basically New York, Florida, and Carolinas.

year, record, conference record place, NCAA tourney record, coach, final position.
2012 11-5 7-1 / 1st* Rory Whipple
2013 11-6 6-1 / 1st* Rory Whipple
2014 16-3 5-0 / 1st 1-1 Rory Whipple NCAA National Semifinalist
2015 15-4 5-0 / 1st 0-1 Rory Whipple NCAA National Quarterfinalist
2016 15-3 5-0 / 1st 1-1 Rory Whipple NCAA National Semifinalist
2017 15-5 5-0 / 1st 1-1 Rory Whipple NCAA National Semifinalist
2018 15-5 5-2 / 3rd 0-1 Rory Whipple NCAA National Quarterfinalist
2019 15-6 6-1 / 1st 1-1 Rory Whipple NCAA National Quarterfinalist
2020 8-0 - - Rory Whipple canceled, Covid-19
2021 10-1 6-0 / 1st 1-1 Rory Whipple NCAA National Semifinalist
2022 21-0 7-0 / 1st 3-0 J.B. Clarke NCAA National Champions
2023 13-4 6-1 / 2nd 0-1 J.B. Clarke NCAA First Round

UT is very much a southern outpost of New York, so that makes some sense.

Probably 1/3rd New Yorkers. They used to be very heavy Canadian

[Nonlinear FC]

To your point, one of my work colleagues has a freshman playing mlax at nearby(ish) Palm Coast Atlantic University. Tampa is in their league, I think. (So is Embry, which chedda and I were talking about in another thread recently.)

[wlu_lax6]

So today kicks off the World Box Lacrosse Championships up in Utica. If you have ESPN+ worth giving it a look. Tonight's game is basically #2 Haudenosaunee v. #3 USA at 8pm. and on the 22nd you get a #1 v. #2 matchup. USA has a full roster of pros (but one of the best players broker a collarbone in the outdoor pro league. Watch out for Joey Spallina (Syracuse). Guy was amazing in the semi-pro Canadian league this summer (and last). Blaze Riorden. Plays goalie in outdoor pro league but is a runner in indoor (Philly Wings).

September 20 // Haudenosaunee vs USA // ESPN+
September 21 // Canada vs England // ESPN+
September 22 // England vs USA, Canada vs Haudenosaunee // ESPN+
September 24 // Haudenosaunee vs England, USA vs Canada // ESPNU

First Round Playoffs (Men) // September 25 // ESPN+
Quarterfinals (Men + Women) // September 26 // ESPN+
Semifinals (Men + Women) // September 27 // ESPN+
Bronze Medal Games (Men + Women) // September 28 // ESPN+
Gold Medal Games (Men + Women) // September 29 // ESPN2

Full Schedule
https://worldlacrosse.sport/events/2024 ... tatistics/