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NCAA: Michigan Lacrosse Team Enters Division 1

26 May

ANN ARBOR – University of Michigan Athletic Director Dave Brandon announced today (May 25) the elevation of men’s and women’s lacrosse to varsity status. The men’s program will begin NCAA-Division I varsity competition in the 2011-12 academic year and the women’s program will be ready for NCAA-Division I varsity competition in the 2012-13 academic year.

“Our department has carefully considered the elevation of lacrosse to varsity status and we feel the time is right to make this move,” said Brandon. “The men’s program is further developed based on their history of success in the club-varsity system. We plan to build upon that success at the next level. Our women’s program will require more time to build, but I am confident within a reasonable timeframe we will become competitive nationally in women’s lacrosse.”

Michigan is the first Bowl Championship Series (BCS) conference school to add men’s lacrosse since Notre Dame added the sport in 1980 and started competition in 1981. Michigan will join Ohio State and Penn State as the only schools in the Big Ten Conference to sponsor men’s lacrosse. (more…)

MLL: Kimmel, Schwartzman, and Boltus Receive Week 2 Awards

24 May

BOSTON, Mass. – Major League Lacrosse, the premier professional outdoor lacrosse league, announced Monday its weekly award winners for the week ending May 22, 2011, according to MLL Commissioner David Gross.

Chesapeake Bayhawks midfielder Michael Kimmel was honored with the League’s Offensive Player of the Week award while Denver Outlaws goalkeeper Jesse Schwartzman earned Defensive Player of the Week accolades.

In addition, attackman Jeremy Boltus of the Hamilton Nationals earned the first Cascade MLL Rookie of the Week award for the season. (more…)

NCAA: The Final Four for the 2011 Men’s Lacrosse Championship is Set

23 May

Someone wake me up… I fell asleep during the Maryland/Syracuse game in Foxboro.  There were 11 stall warnings against Maryland, and there probably should have been 50.  Someone please add the shot clock before it becomes the slowest game on two feet.  Congrats to Maryland for knocking of the top seed, but I’m not sure how good a team can feel about playing that style of lacrosse.  Syracuse should also be questioning their approach, as they didn’t seem to mind playing in slow motion.

For the sake of the game, let’s hope the teams actually play transition lacrosse in Baltimore before ESPN cancels their coverage.

Denver and Virginia both put on great shows this weekend.  Virginia looked more than questionable throughout the season, but came ready to play as they steamrolled Cornell (without the Bratton brothers).   Denver is is firing on all cylinders at the perfect time.  They controlled a very powerful Hopkins team in the semifinals, without taking the air out of the ball.

MLL: UNC’s Billy Bitter Premiers in Major League Lacrosse This Saturday

20 May

Boston, MA (May 18, 2011) – Major League Lacrosse announced Denver Outlaws first-round draft pick, attackman Billy Bitter, agreed to terms with MLL on Wednesday, and was placed on the Outlaws’ active roster. As per policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“Billy had an outstanding college career at North Carolina and I am excited for him to continue playing lacrosse at a high level for the Outlaws,” Outlaws General Manager Brian Reese said. “He is an explosive, dynamic dodger that gets to the front of the cage for high-percentage shots. He will be able to work with some other great offensive players currently on the team and we are glad to have him as part of the Outlaws family.”

Bitter was selected third overall by the Outlaws in the 2011 MLL Collegiate Draft from the University of North Carolina. A two-time first team All-American during his first three seasons at North Carolina, Bitter totaled 99 goals and 76 assists (175 pts.) with 172 ground balls in 63 career games (49 starts). (more…)

Dave Pietramala and Bill Belichick: Coaches and Friends

18 May

Patriot's Head Coach, Bill Belichick

Hopkins head coach, Dave Pietramala

Checkout the story over at Press Box Online about the relationship between Dave Pietramala and Bill Belichick.

If our moms were correct — and they always are, right? — we are often judged by who we associate with. For Dave Pietramala, that’s not a bad thing.

Hardly a day goes by that the 10-year Johns Hopkins lacrosse coach doesn’t reach out via text, phone call or e-mail to bounce thoughts and ideas off his friend. And that friend just happens to be New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick.

Instead of “guilt by association,” with these two it’s more like “success by association” as they have forged a friendship that spans their personal and professional lives.

Read the full story: http://www.pressboxonline.com/story.cfm?id=7663

NLL: Toronto Rock Take Home the 2011 National Lacrosse League Title

18 May

Toronto – The Toronto Rock had one goal at the start of the season – send goaltender Bob Watson off into the sunset with a championship. Toronto’s 8-7 win on Sunday afternoon in front of 14,488 fans meant it was mission accomplished.

Glen Bryan got the Air Canada Centre crowd going early as the rookie from Orangeville, Ontario flew down the floor on a breakaway and scored to give the Rock a 1-0 edge.

Washington responded with a goal, but the Rock were able to pound two more home before the end of the quarter. Kasey Beirnes did the damage with a pair, including one of the powerplay, as the Rock held a 3-1 lead after one.
(more…)

Video: Maryland Lacrosse Pulls Off Hidden Ball Trick on UNC

17 May

Maryland looked dominant in the first round of the NCAA tourney.  The Terps took out a very strong UNC team with a convincing 13-6 victory.   The score was 8-5 Maryland when Terrapin seniors Grant Catalino (attack) and Brian Ferrel (defenseman) pulled off the “hidden ball trick”.

It’s one of the ‘timeless classic’ plays in lacrosse where one player pretends to flip the ball to a teammate, while blocking the view of the defense with his body.  The player without the ball then cradles hard and drives to one side to distract the goalie and defense, while the guy with the ball casually peels off down the opposite side towards an open net.

This was a perfect execution of the play, but shame on UNC for falling asleep in what was their biggest game of the year.

Maryland Lacrosse: Hidden Ball Trick Video

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