Famous lacrosse teams. Top 10 MLL Players Who Didn’t Play D1 Lacrosse: Rising Stars from D2, D3 & MCLA

Who are the best Major League Lacrosse players that didn’t come from NCAA Division 1 programs. How have these athletes from smaller schools made their mark in professional lacrosse. What makes these non-D1 players stand out in the MLL.

The Unconventional Path to MLL Stardom

In the world of professional lacrosse, the traditional route to success often involves playing at the NCAA Division 1 level. However, a select group of athletes have defied this convention, rising to prominence in Major League Lacrosse (MLL) despite coming from smaller college programs. These players have not only earned their spots on professional rosters but have become some of the league’s most impactful performers.

This article highlights the top 10 MLL players who didn’t play D1 lacrosse, showcasing their remarkable achievements and the unique paths they took to reach the pinnacle of the sport. From NCAA Division 2 and 3 programs to even the club level MCLA, these athletes prove that talent and determination can overcome perceived limitations of college pedigree.

The Defensive Dynamo: Donny Moss

Coming in at number 10 on our list is Donny Moss, a defensive midfielder for the Hamilton Nationals. Moss, a product of Adelphi University’s NCAA Division 2 program, has made a name for himself as a reliable and effective defender in the MLL.

Why Moss Stands Out

• Consistently noticeable on-field presence
• Effectively uses a short stick against top-tier opponents
• Prioritizes effectiveness over flashy play

While Moss may not be the most highlight-reel-friendly player, his consistent performance and ability to neutralize opposing offenses make him a valuable asset to his team and earn him a spot on this list.

The Veteran Presence: Justin Smith

At number 9, we find Justin Smith, a 30-year-old graduate of Salisbury University’s Division 3 program. Smith’s longevity and versatility in the league showcase the potential for D3 athletes to not only compete but thrive at the professional level.

Smith’s Impact

• Played for the Charlotte Hounds
• Scored 9 points (5 goals, 4 assists) in just 5 games
• Traded to Long Island, demonstrating his continued value

Smith’s ability to contribute across multiple facets of the game, combined with his experience, make him a valuable asset to any MLL team.

The Utility Player: Albert Maione

Albert Maione, coming in at number 8, represents another success story from the NCAA Division 2 ranks. A graduate of NYIT, Maione has carved out a unique role for himself with the Long Island Lizards.

Maione’s Versatility

• Adaptable to various on-field situations
• Willing to take on any role asked of him
• Combines hard work with occasional flair

Maione’s willingness to fill multiple roles and his continued improvement as an MLL player highlight the importance of versatility and work ethic in professional lacrosse.

The Transition Specialist: Matt Casey

At number 7, we find Matt Casey, an Ithaca College alumnus playing for the Ohio Machine. Casey’s evolution from a prolific scorer in college to a defensive midfielder in the MLL demonstrates the adaptability required to succeed at the professional level.

Casey’s Contributions

• Excels as a defensive midfielder
• Key contributor to Ohio’s transition offense
• Known for his competitive spirit and defensive prowess

Casey’s successful transition from college scorer to professional defender showcases the diverse skill set needed to thrive in the MLL, regardless of one’s collegiate background.

The Rising Star: Mike Simon

Mike “Tree” Simon, a Stevenson University graduate, takes the number 6 spot on our list. Despite limited playing time, Simon’s impact on the Chesapeake Bayhawks has been undeniable.

Simon’s Rapid Ascent

• Played in only 3 games for Chesapeake
• Shut down star player Paul Rabil in the semifinals
• Quickly established himself as an excellent MLL defender

Simon’s rapid adjustment to the professional level and his ability to neutralize top offensive threats make him a player to watch in future seasons.

The MCLA Trailblazer: Connor Martin

Connor Martin, coming in at number 5, stands out as the most successful player in MLL history to come from the MCLA (Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association). A product of Chapman University, Martin has silenced doubters with his consistent improvement and offensive production.

Martin’s MLL Success

• Scored 32 points in 14 games for the Ohio Machine
• Outscored several high-profile D1 graduates
• Demonstrates continuous improvement in game understanding and control

Martin’s success serves as inspiration for club-level college players, proving that with talent and dedication, the path to professional lacrosse is open to athletes from all collegiate backgrounds.

The Two-Sport Star: Jordan MacIntosh

At number 4, we find Jordan MacIntosh, an RIT graduate who has made waves in both indoor and outdoor professional lacrosse. MacIntosh’s success in the MLL with the Rochester Rattlers came on the heels of a stellar rookie season in the National Lacrosse League.

MacIntosh’s Impact on Rochester

• Scored 23 goals and added 4 assists
• Provided a crucial inside-outside offensive threat
• Emerged as a game-changer for the Rattlers

MacIntosh’s ability to transition successfully between indoor and outdoor lacrosse, coupled with his offensive prowess, solidify his place among the top non-D1 players in the MLL.

The Hometown Hero: Mike Stone

Mike Stone, a Middlebury College alumnus playing for the Boston Cannons, claims the number 3 spot on our list. Stone’s journey from the suburbs of Boston to starring for his hometown MLL team is a testament to his skill and determination.

Stone’s Offensive Arsenal

• Exceptional dodge-and-score ability
• Capable shooter with time and room
• Combines speed and athleticism with team-first mentality

Stone’s success as an offensive midfielder, particularly his ability to consistently beat defenders off the dodge, has made him a key player for Boston and a prime example of D3 talent thriving at the professional level.

The Impact of Non-D1 Players in the MLL

The success of these players from smaller college programs highlights several important aspects of professional lacrosse:

1. Talent can emerge from any level of collegiate play
2. The MLL provides opportunities for players to develop and showcase their skills
3. Adaptability and work ethic are crucial for success in professional lacrosse
4. College pedigree is not the sole determinant of professional potential

These athletes serve as inspiration for young players who may not be recruited by top D1 programs, proving that with dedication and skill, the path to professional lacrosse remains open.

Factors Contributing to Non-D1 Success in the MLL

Several factors contribute to the success of players from smaller college programs in the MLL:

• Less structured practice schedules allow for personal skill development
• Greater emphasis on individual responsibility and training
• Opportunity to catch up to D1 players’ skill levels in a professional setting
• MLL’s structure provides a more level playing field for talent evaluation

These elements combine to create an environment where determined athletes from any collegiate background can thrive and become star performers at the professional level.

The Future of Non-D1 Players in Professional Lacrosse

As the sport of lacrosse continues to grow and evolve, the pipeline of talent to the professional ranks is likely to diversify further. The success of the players highlighted in this list may encourage MLL teams to cast a wider net in their talent search, looking beyond traditional D1 powerhouses to find hidden gems from smaller programs.

Potential Impacts

• Increased scouting of D2, D3, and MCLA programs
• More opportunities for non-D1 players in professional showcases and combines
• Growing recognition of the quality of play at lower collegiate levels
• Inspiration for young players to pursue their dreams regardless of college recruitment

As these non-D1 success stories continue to make their mark in the MLL, they pave the way for future generations of lacrosse players to follow in their footsteps, further enriching the talent pool and competitive landscape of professional lacrosse.

Lessons from Non-D1 MLL Stars

The success of these players offers valuable lessons for aspiring professional lacrosse players and sports enthusiasts in general:

1. Perseverance pays off: Many of these players likely faced doubts about their ability to compete at the highest level, but their determination led them to MLL success.
2. Continuous improvement is key: Players like Connor Martin have shown that consistent development of skills and game understanding can lead to professional success.
3. Adaptability is crucial: Several players on this list have thrived by adjusting their play style or position to meet the needs of their MLL teams.
4. Create your own opportunities: These athletes prove that with hard work and dedication, players can create their own path to professional success, regardless of their college background.

These lessons extend beyond lacrosse, offering inspiration to athletes in all sports who may not follow the most traditional or expected path to professional success.

The Changing Landscape of Professional Lacrosse

The success of non-D1 players in the MLL reflects broader changes in the sport of lacrosse and professional athletics as a whole:

• Growing talent pool: As lacrosse expands geographically and demographically, more talented players are emerging from diverse backgrounds.
• Evolving scouting methods: Professional teams are employing more sophisticated scouting techniques to identify talent at all levels of play.
• Emphasis on skill over pedigree: The MLL’s structure allows for a more direct evaluation of a player’s current abilities, rather than relying solely on their collegiate reputation.
• Increased player development: The professional environment provides opportunities for players to continue improving, allowing late bloomers to thrive.

These changes suggest that the future of professional lacrosse may see an even more diverse range of players finding success at the highest levels of the sport.

The 10 Best MLL Players Who Didn’t Play D1 Lacrosse

We all know how rare it is for a professional team sport athlete to not have participated in NCAA Division 1 Athletics in college. For the guys who are thinking of playing pro, most choose the D1 route. The ones that don’t go D1 and still “make it” certainly exist, and some have become pretty huge household names, like former NCAA DII football player, Danny Woodhead.

However, even if you looked at every NFL or NBA team, I doubt you could find the same mass of star players, who did not go D1, as you can in Major League Lacrosse.

It’s NON D1 time!

So today, I take a look at the TOP TEN MLL PLAYERS (who did not play D1 lacrosse)!

It should shock no one that most players in Major League Lacrosse still come from NCAA Division 1 colleges and universities. The lacrosse programs at these D1 schools attract the majority of the best players straight out of high school, and they also each offer an extremely lacrosse-focused college experience, meaning the players should, at least hypothetically, improve the most as well.

But not every single MLL star went the D1 route, and with less team practices, more reliance on personal responsibility (and training) and a tough cost-benefit structure, the MLL allows for D3 players (and D2, MCLA, etc) to catch up to the big boys of D1, and become star professional athletes at a pretty impressive rate.

All selections come from NCAA D3 schools unless otherwise noted. All selections were made primarily on what players did this year. I’ll start with number 10, and work our way down to number 1:

10 – Donny Moss – Hamilton (Adelphi – NCAA D2) – Moss plays D-middie for Hamilton, and every time I watch the Nationals play, and Donny Moss is playing, I notice him… in a good way. Moss isn’t flashy, but he gets the job done with a short stick against some of the best in the game. It ain’t sexy, but it’s effective, and gets Donny in the Top 10.

9 – Justin Smith – Charlotte (Salisbury) – The 30 year old D3 graduate is still getting the job done at the highest levels. He only played in 5 games for Charlotte this year, but dropped 9 points on 5g and 4a before being traded to Long Island (thanks SA2424). Smith can do it all and he’s been doing it for a while, and this gets him on the list.

8 – Albert Maione – Long Island (NYIT – NCAA D2) – Maione seems to fill a weird void for Long Island, and you can see him on the field in a myriad of situations. He seems like the guy that will do whatever is asked of him, and do it hard. Maione will also try to dazzle from time to time, and is improving as an MLL player.

7 – Matt Casey – Ohio (Ithaca) – Casey could put the biscuit in the basket when he played at Ithaca, but in the MLL, he’s much more of a D-middie. However, when you look at Ohio’s goals this year, a good deal came from transition, and you know Casey contributed there. Add in that he’s great on D and loves to compete and you’ve got a D3 success story.

6 – Mike Simon – Chesapeake (Stevenson) – You might be asking “why is Simon so high on this list when he’s only played in 3 games?” and it’s fair. Sort of. Basically, Mike “Tree” Simon pulled a Hartzell, shut down Rabil for Chesapeake in the semifinals, and is now regarded by those in the know (me) as an excellent MLL player. If Simon adjusted this quickly in 2012, what will he do in 2013? Rising star in the MLL. Mark my words.

5 – Connor Martin – Ohio (Chapman – MCLA) – The best MCLA player the MLL has ever seen. Hands down. Some say he isn’t that good. Those some are wrong. Every year, Martin gets better and looks more in control. His game understanding continues to improve, and quite simply, he puts points on the board. Martin’s 32 points in 14 games gave him 5 more than Steven Boyle, and 10 more than Billy Bitter, who both played 14 games as well.

4 – Jordan MacIntosh – Rochester (RIT) – After starring in the NLL for Minnesota as a rookie, we just knew MacIntosh would see success… but for others it was a total surprise. Maybe it’s our D3 bias. MacIntosh scored 23 goals for Rochester, added 4 assists and gave them a serious inside-outside game, which the team had lacked. MacIntosh was a game-changer for Rochester, and it puts him in the #4 spot for 2012.

3 – Mike Stone – Boston (Middlebury) – Most offensive MLL middies need to be able to snipe 2-pointers OR beat their man off the dodge at the very least. If you can’t do either of those things, you’re just taking up space. Mike Stone beats his man off the dodge about as well as anyone, and while he isn’t known for his 2s, he can definitely shoot with time and room. Stone is fast, athletic and a total team player. Chip in that he grew up in the suburbs of Boston and now you’ve even got a great backstory. He’s prime time, always has been. Finally others are starting to take note:

2 – Stephen Berger – Charlotte (Washington College) – What else is there to say about Berger at this point? He’s been a stud in the MLL for years and when he got shipped off to Charlotte, he just kept rolling, and in fact, may have even stepped his game up another level. 39 points, a team leader and a league icon… not bad for a guy who was drafted as Mr. Irrelevant (the last draft choice) and listens to a lot of Phish!

Berger is a lax rat, can do ungodly things with his stick, and has never let his smaller stature of D3 past get in his way. When the competition is taking a day off, Berger is getting better.

1 – Kyle Hartzell – Ohio (Salisbury) – Honestly, this was an easy choice… Kyle Hartzell is a beast on the field who can cover a guy like Paul Rabil just as well as he can cover a guy like Ryan Boyle. And once he takes the ball from you, there is a good chance he will score a 2-pointer on your goalie from 21 yards away. He holds the fastest shot record and most goals as a defensive player record. He is a complete game changer, a modern day longstick renaissance man, and he is a D3 product out of Salisbury.

I could do a Top Ten MLL Players list and include everyone, and Hartzell could still end up in the number 1 spot. He’s just that good, and works that hard. He’s a machine when training, goes 100% at all times and plays the game with fiery passion few possess. All that makes him the TOP Non-D1 Lacrosse Player in the MLL… and maybe the top player overall!

Other players considered: Owen “Kit” Smith, Eric Martin (injured, otherwise would have been on the list), Matt Witko, Craig Bunker, Jerry Ragonese, Joe Vitale, Greg Rogowski, Patrick Gaffney, and Jeff Bigas.

Inspired to pick up your level of training now? Pick up a new pair of shorts from the Lacrosse Shop and GET GOING! It’s never too late to make a go of it, and LAS has your back!

Lacrosse: Celebrities That Once Played the “Creator’s Game” | Bleacher Report

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According to several surveys and outlets, lacrosse is currently the fastest growing sport in the country.

More kids—girls and boys—are playing. More high schools and colleges are providing programs to those players. Major League Lacrosse, the premier outdoor league in the USA, expanded by two teams this year with plans to introduce even more new teams in the future. The MLL also signed a big television deal with CBS Sports this past year.

The game has grown from Long Island and Baltimore to Virginia and New England and all the way to California and Denver. The players are becoming more popular than ever, even where a guy like Paul Rabil is on a number of commercials for athletic apparel.

While there are a number of stars today like Rabil, Matt Danowski and Kyle Harrison, there are also several celebrities that grew up playing the game and might have gone pro in lacrosse had that been an option years ago.

Here are some famous people that you may or may not know to have played the “Creator’s Game.”

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Silverheels is the nickname of the actor that played Tonto on “The Lone Ranger”.

Born Harold J. Smith on the Six Nations Reservation in Canada joined the semi-pro Mohawk Stars at the age of 16 as a way to make some extra money for his family during the Great Depression.

He had good hands and was quite agile. He was a very swift player, well known for wearing white cleats, which earned him the nickname “Silverheels.” He grew to be one of the nation’s highest-scoring and highest-paid players.

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She has her own show on CNN (“Erin Burnett OutFront”), has been on the cover of Maxim magazine and has served as an advisor to Donald Trump on the hit television show “Celebrity Apprentice.”

But before all that, the now-35-year-old was a lacrosse player.

She played at her high school, St. Andrew’s School in Delaware, and went on to play in college at Williams College in Williamstown, Mass. where she received her B.A. in Political Economy.

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You may not recognize his name but you’ll definitely recognize his face. Dante has played in just about every Adam Sandler movie since “The Wedding Singer.”

Dante has been very involved in lacrosse throughout his life. He played at Hofstra in the ‘80s and is still active in the sport even after appearing in so many movies. Dante was a coach for the LXM Pro Tour for its first few outings and is currently an assistant coach at Loyola Marymount.

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Foley grew up on Long Island, so naturally he was a lacrosse player. And it makes total sense that the former WWE Hardcore Champion would be willing to play goalie and stand in front of shots.

Foley (a.k.a Mankind, a.k.a Cactus Jack, a.k.a Dude Love) attended Ward Melville High School in East Setauket, New York and played on the lacrosse team. He also played a bit at SUNY Cortland before leaving to become a professional wrestler.

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He is known as one of the best soccer coaches in the history of the United States. He’s led the University of Virginia, D.C. United and the Los Angeles Galaxy to numerous championships and also led the United States men’s national team to two World Cups (including the incredible quarterfinals run in 2002).

He grew up playing soccer, but was also a phenomenal lacrosse player.

Another Long Island-native, Arena played at Nassau Community College before transferring to Cornell University. At Cornell he was an All-Ivy first team lacrosse midfielder his junior and senior years. After graduation, he played in the National Lacrosse League in 1975 and was also a member of the U.S. national team in 1974 and played for the U.S. in the World Lacrosse Games in 1978.

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The rock star grew up in Virginia, a state with a pretty good lacrosse scene. The Foo Fighters frontman paid a lot of attention to learning the drums, but he was active too. Grohl is famous in his music for being a hard hitting drummer so it’s not surprising that he was drawn to such a hard hitting sport.

In an interview with US Weekly, Grohl admits that lacrosse was his favorite sport growing up and that he played goalie.

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The senior United States senator and former Democratic presidential candidate was a former lacrosse player.

Kerry played lacrosse and hockey at St. Paul’s School in New Hampshire, where he was a teammate of current FBI director Robert Mueller. Kerry continued his hockey career at Yale, where he also played JV lacrosse.

He’s a politician by day, but still to this day, Kerry is a huge sports fan and enthusiast.

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He’s one of the best coaches in the NFL, but New England Patriots head coach also has a strong affinity for and knowledge of lacrosse.

Belichick was a captain his senior year at Wesleyan University in 1975. In an interview with USA Today, his coach said Belichick “was an excellent leader. We had two kids on each side of him who had never played lacrosse before, and he coached them to become very good lacrosse players.”

The hooded-one still keeps an eye on the game today. He’s done a few interviews talking about his love for the sport and his support of Major League Lacrosse. He was also spotted at the Big City Classic, watching from the Johns Hopkins sidelines.

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The “Great One” wasn’t an exceptional athlete in only one sport. Lacrosse is one of the National Sports of Canada (along with ice hockey) and as a kid, Gretzky played the sport just like many other Canadians and ice hockey players.

Gretzky commented on kids playing multiple sports and his experiences playing lacrosse. He wrote, “I could hardly wait to get my lacrosse stick out and start throwing the ball around. It didn’t matter how cold or rainy it would be, we’d be out firing the ball against walls and working on our moves as we played the lacrosse equivalent to road hockey.”

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Brown is the only player to be inducted into the halls of fame for the NFL, college football and lacrosse. Regarded as one of the best athletes the country has ever produced, Brown says lacrosse was his favorite sport.

He played at Manhasset High School on Long Island and went on to play at Syracuse University. He was an All-American midfielder his senior year, where he scored 43 goals and had 21 assists.

It is also speculated that Brown influenced two rule changes in the sport: the need to cradle the ball away from the body rather than trap it against your body and players were no longer allowed to thumb the ball to keep it in the head.

Lacrosse, Top 7 Greatest Games Ever Played

Written by Brooks

To choose the greatest lacrosse games ever played is a challenging task given the volume of hair-raising moments over the years. Lacrosse is undoubtedly the fastest game on two feet and breathtaking moments are a dime a dozen. With that, please enjoy this selection of the greatest lacrosse games ever played.

Cornell vs Maryland 1976 National Championship

The 1976 championship was easily the greatest lacrosse game played in the 1970’s. The Cornell vs Maryland 1976 National Championship was packed with legendary players and electrifying moments.

Both teams headed into the title game undefeated, a first in NCAA history. Players on both sides including several legendary Hall of Famers such as Frank Urso (Maryland), Mike French, Richie Moran, and Eamon McEneaney (Cornell).

Frank Urso, Maryland

In front of a large crowd of nearly 8,000 fans at Brown Stadium, Cornell’s Mike French scored 7 goals and had 4 assists. This stellar performance gave undefeated Cornell the 16-13 overtime victory for their 2nd title. Throughout the 1970s, Cornell was dominant in lacrosse with four national championship appearances winning three titles. The 1976 and 1977 teams are often considered to be among the best college lacrosse teams of all time.

Note: During the 1993 terrorist attack of the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York, Eamon McEneaney who played for this Cornell team, courageously led 65 co-workers to safety. He helped his coworkers create a human chain and guided them all the way down from the 106th floor battling smoke to safety below.

Later in life, Eamon McEneaney’s life was taken in the devastating September 11th World Trade Center terrorist attacks that shook the nation. He was one of nearly 3,000 who perished that somber day. Eamon McEneaney is a hero not only in the lacrosse world, but to all of us. Rest in Peace.

Pictured: Eamon J McEneaney name at the World Trade Center Memorial in New York City.

Syracuse vs Johns Hopkins 1989 National Championship

Commonly referred to as the “The Greatest Lacrosse Game Ever Played”, this match featured legendary icons of the game on both sides. Not to mention, this was the most heated college lacrosse rivalry featuring the best college teams of the time.

Hopkins vs Syracuse ’89

Dave Pietramala and Quint Kessenich represented Hopkins while Paul and Gary Gait, Tom Marechek, and Matt Palumb led Syracuse. In front of over 20,000 fans, the Orange and Blue Jays put on a performance for the ages. The game included so much offensive prowess that highlights are studied to this day. Intense physical defense was also put on display from both teams.

Syracuse ultimately reigned victorious winning the championship title by a one goal margin, 13-12.

Syracuse Championship Celebration

United States vs Canada World Lacrosse Championship Game 1998

The 1998 World Lacrosse Championship final between Canada and the United States was held at Homewood Field in Baltimore. It was the gold medal game and has been often cited as the greatest field lacrosse game of all time. If not, it was certainly the best game ever played at the national level.

Names of note from the Canadian squad included Gary and Paul Gait, John Grant Jr., Tom Marachek, and Chris Gill. Leading the US team were the likes of Casey Powell, Mark Millon, and Jesse Hubbard amongst many talented players.

Team Canada with the ball

The US came out firing early in the game and ended up taking a commanding lead in the 3rd quarter. The score was 11-1 by the middle of the 3rd quarter. With a 10 point lead, the US team must have been feeling quite confident, perhaps a little cocky. Letting their guard down and taking their foot off the pedal, the Canadian squad stormed back in the 3rd and 4th quarters with a flurry of goals to cut the US lead down to 13-10. Then with the final two minutes on the line, the Canadian squad was able to tie the game up with three unanswered goals to send the game into OT at 13-13.

USA vs Canada 1998

In the end, the US squad was able to triumph with a one goal lead for the victory at the end of double overtime play. The final score was 15-14 over Canada.

Key note: Sal LoCasio made an astonishing 32 saves for the US, with five in the overtime periods.

Princeton vs Syracuse 2001 National Championship

Princeton and Syracuse, two teams with a long history of rivalry prior to this matchup would meet again in the National Championship in 2001. Two freshmen attackmen were the focal points of each team. For Princeton, it was Ryan Boyle on one end and for Syracuse, the legendary Mikey Powell. Between the two teams, they had won 11 of the past 13 Division I national titles in men’s lacrosse.

Mikey Powell sporting the famed 22

The game would go down to the wire as Powell would tie the game to send it to overtime. Finally in OT, with 41 seconds left, Boyle found B.J. Prager for the game winning goal to win it 10-9. With the win, Princeton marked its sixth national championship (1992, ‘94, ‘96, ‘97, ‘98) in ten years. This marked the fourth time that the Tigers had won the title game in overtime. The victory was the 11th straight for Princeton in one-goal games, including all three of its tournament games.

Princeton celebrating the victory over ‘Cuse

Syracuse vs Cornell 2009 National Championship

Syracuse returned to the National Championship for the second year in a row after winning it all in 2008. Cornell controlled the game for the first 56 minutes and frustrated Syracuse with staunch defense. Cornell was up 9-6 with just over five minutes to go in the 4th quarter thanks to the great play of John Glynn and Max Seibald. However, the Orange came storming back as Stephen Keogh and Cody Jamieson narrowed the deficit to one goal with 2:46 remaining to make it 9-8.

Max Siebald with the ball

Cornell got the ball with less than 30 seconds to go. As the Big Red tried to clear the ball, Syracuse made one of, if not the craziest play in national championship history with Kenny Nims scoring to tie it with 4 seconds left in regulation.

Syracuse celebrating the tying goal sending the game to OT

In OT, Cornell won the ensuing face-off, but Syracuse defenseman Sid Smith stripped Ryan Hurley for a turnover. Dan Hardy feigned a shot before passing to Cody Jamieson, who was just beyond the crease. Jamieson put it away for the game-winner.

Notre Dame vs Albany 2014 NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals

Coming into this game, the Thompson trio of UAlbany consisting of Lyle, Miles, and Ty Thompson displayed electric play all year. They put on dazzling displays of wrap around goals, behind the back finishes, and a superb collective field IQ. Notre Dame was led by Matt Kavanaugh, Sergio Perkovic and their lockdown defense. Albany had never been to the final four, and Notre Dame had never won a championship.

It was Notre Dame that pulled out in front early in the game leading 4-0. The Irish would be outscored 12-3 from that point into the 4th quarter. The Thompsons heated up and wowed the packed stadium and fans watching on national television with several highlight reel moments. This included two backhand goals from Lyle, who extended his single-season points record to 128 with a three-goal, three-assist performance.

Lyle Thompson carrying the ball

The 4th quarter brought a change of tide against the Danes. The Thompsons barely touched the ball in the final quarter. The Irish began their rally with four consecutive goals in two minutes. But Albany netted one to break up the Irish run. Then Notre Dame rattled off another pair of goals in a span of a minute and 41 seconds. This was capped by Perkovic’s 2nd of the game to tie the score at 13-13 with three minutes left.

Notre Dame goalie Connor Kelly, denied the Great Danes a lead with a key save on Albany’s Ty Thompson, who sent a shot off the goalkeeper’s helmet. With only two seconds left, that stop ended Albany’s last opportunity as time expired to send the game to overtime.

With a little over two minutes to play in overtime, Kavanagh drove toward the center of the defense. He drew a double team. As he backed off, the Albany defenders slouched in, giving him room to take a few steps in and fire a sidearm rocket. The shot beat Albany’s Blaze Riorden low for to take the OT win for the Irish.

Brown vs Maryland 2016 NCAA Tournament Semifinals

The Terps started out of the gates fast, taking a 4-1 advantage. Then the high-scoring Bears scored six of the next seven goals to take a 7-5 lead. It was Brown that led 8-7 at the half.

Brown goalie Jack Kelly made 7 of his 14 saves in the third period to keep the Bears alive. Brendan Caputo’s second goal of the game with 1:49 left in regulation knotted the game at 14. Then, Maryland senior defenseman Matt Dunn secured the ground ball on the overtime face-off. After working the ball behind the goal, Matt Rambo found Colin Heacock on the crease. He faked and fired a low shot past Kelly for the game winner.

Twelve different Terps recorded at least a point in the game. The effort was led by Rambo’s six with a goal and five assists. Also, Heacock finished with three goals and an assist, and Dylan Maltz also notched a hat trick.

Matt Rambo, Maryland

Dylan Molloy, the favorite for the Tewaaraton Award and the nation’s leading scorer, helped spark the Bears’ rally. He scored his second goal of the game in the fourth quarter despite playing with a broken bone in his foot. Bailey Tills, Molloy’s replacement on the attack unit, had a solid game as well with four goals and an assist.

“Dylan Molloy is the toughest guy I know who’s ever put on a lacrosse helmet,” said Bears head coach Lars Tiffany. “For him to do what he did today with a broken foot is phenomenal.”

The Terrapins earned a date with North Carolina in the National Championship.

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After playing lacrosse for 25+ years, I’ve had the opportunity to wield many types of sticks, gloves, shafts, and equipment. For some of the latest products to fuel your next practice or game, check out my latest lacrosse equipment recommendations below!

For more on some of the greatest lacrosse games ever played, check out these pages: Reddit discussion thread, Greatest Game Ever Played, and the Greatest Lacrosse Game.

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Related

College lacrosse teams with the most national championships

Cornell won the first men’s lacrosse national championship when the Big Red took down Maryland 12-6 in 1971. Since that inaugural NCAA DI men’s lacrosse national championship game, 11 teams have won a national title. The 2019 season came to a close with Virginia taking home its sixth national championship with a win over Yale, the 2018 national champions. 

2019 recap: Virginia downs Yale for its first title since 2011

Let’s take a look at the eight teams that have won at least two national championships: 

Men’s college lacrosse history: Programs with the most national championships

1. Syracuse — 10 
 

Larry French | NCAA Photos
Members of the Syracuse University Men’s Lacrosse team celebrate after defeating Cornell at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA. Syracuse defeated Cornell 10-9 in overtime for the national title.

Championships: 1983, 1988, 1989, 1993, 1995, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2008, 2009

Syracuse has been a commanding force in men’s college lacrosse for many years. The program took home its first title in 1983, and then dominated for three straight years from 1988-1990. Twin brothers Paul and Gary Gait played for the Orange and set numerous records and popularized behind-the-back passing and scoring. Syracuse won the 1990 championship that was later vacated because of NCAA violations. The last championship came in 2009, but the Orange was national runner-up in 2013 to Duke. 

2. Johns Hopkins — 9

Larry French | NCAA Photos
Johns Hopkins defenseman Ben O’Neill (with trophy) celebrates with his teammates after defeating Duke 12-11in the 2007 championship at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, MD.

Championships: 1974, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1984, 1985, 1987, 2005, 2007 

While Johns Hopkins is a decorated program with nine national championships, it hasn’t taken home the title in the past decade. The Blue Jays took home the 2007 championship and then lost in the 2008 title game to Syracuse, 13-10. 

3 (tie). Virginia — 6

Larry French | NCAA Photos
The Virginia Cavaliers players celebrate afterdefeating Yale 13-9 in the national championship held at Lincoln Financial Field.

Championships: 1972, 1999, 2003, 2006, 2011, 2019

The most recent national champions are tied for third with six total national titles. In the 2019 NCAA tournament, it took the Cavaliers two overtimes in the national semifinal game to advance to the championship, but just 60 minutes to capture the title. Virginia goalkeeper Alex Rode had 13 saves and was named the championship most outstanding player. 

3 (tie). Princeton — 6 

Larry French | NCAA Photos
Rob Torti (1) of Princeton University held the championship trophy over his head after his team defeated Syracuse University 10-9 in the 2001 championship held at The Rutgers Stadium.

Championships: 1992, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001 

Princeton is another program that has not been in the championship mix in recent years, and its last NCAA tournament appearance was in 2012. The Tigers did, however, win five national championships in seven years and three in a row from 1996-1998 under head coach Bill Tierney. 

5. North Carolina — 5

Larry French | NCAA Photos
UNC players celebrate their 15-14 overtime win over Maryland during the national championship held at Lincoln Financial Field.

Championships: 1981, 1982, 1986, 1991, 2016

The Tar Heels’ last championship came in a memorable way. Not only did they beat Maryland in overtime, but they were unseeded that year. Only seven unseeded teams have made it to the championship game, and UNC was the last to do it. And they did it on the 25th anniversary of their last title in 1991. 

6 (tie). Maryland — 3

Larry French | NCAA Photos
Maryland Terrapins after beating Ohio State for the national championship held at Gillette Stadium.

Championships: 1973, 1975, 2017

The Terrapins took home the title in 2017 after 42 years and nine championship game losses. They defeated Ohio State 9-6, and Tim Rotanz led with a hat trick. Matt Rambo and Connor Kelly led the Terrapins in that year that brought the title back home to Maryland after a long, long drought. 

6 (tie). Duke — 3

Larry French | NCAA Photos
Myles Jones of Duke University celebrates their 11-9 victory over Notre Dame for the national championship at M&T Bank Stadium.

Championships: 2010, 2013, 2014

The Blue Devils have been a college lacrosse power in this last decade, with their three championships all coming since 2010. Their last championship came against Notre Dame where they won a second consecutive lacrosse title and third in five seasons. Jordan Wolf led the Blue Devils with six points.

6 (tie). Cornell — 3

1977 Cornell men’s lacrosse championship team

Championships: 1971, 1976, 1977

Cornell won all three of their championships in the 1970s. But, they have still continued to be a strong college lacrosse program. The Big Red were the national runner-up in 2009. 

National champions from 1971 to now

YEAR	CHAMPION	COACH	SCORE	RUNNER-UP	HOST OR SITE
2019	Virginia (17-3)	Lars Tiffany	13-9	Yale	Philadelphia, Pa.
2018	Yale (17-3)	Andy Shay	13-11	Duke	Foxborough, Mass.
2017	Maryland (16-3)	John Tillman	9-6	Ohio State	Foxborough, Mass.
2016	North Carolina (12-6)	Joe Breschi	14-13 (ot)	Maryland	Philadelphia
2015	Denver (17-2)	Bill Tierney	10-5	Maryland	Philadelphia
2014	Duke (17-3)	John Danowski	11-9	Notre Dame	Baltimore
2013	Duke (16-5)	John Danowski	16-10	Syracuse	Philadelphia
2012	Loyola (Md.) (18-1)	Charley Toomey	9-3	Maryland	Foxborough, Mass.
2011	Virginia (13-5)	Dom Starsia	9-7	Maryland	Baltimore
2010	Duke (16-4)	John Danowski	6-5 (ot)	Notre Dame	Baltimore
2009	Syracuse (16-2)	John Desko	10-9 (ot)	Cornell	Boston
2008	Syracuse (16-2)	John Desko	13-10	Johns Hopkins	Boston
2007	Johns Hopkins (13-4)	Dave Pietramala	12-11	Duke	Baltimore
2006	Virginia (17-0)	Dom Starsia	15-7	Massachusetts	Philadelphia
2005	Johns Hopkins (16-0)	Dave Pietramala	9-8	Duke	Philadelphia
2004	Syracuse (15-2)	John Desko	14-13	Navy	Baltimore
2003	Virginia (15-2)	Dom Starsia	9-7	Johns Hopkins	Baltimore
2002	Syracuse (15-2)	John Desko	13-12	Princeton	Rutgers
2001	Princeton (14-1)	Bill Tierney	10-9 (ot)	Syracuse	Rutgers
2000	Syracuse (15-1)	John Desko	13-7	Princeton	Maryland
1999	Virginia (13-3)	Dom Starsia	12-10	Syracuse	Maryland
1998	Princeton (14-1)	Bill Tierney	15-5	Maryland	Rutgers
1997	Princeton (16-0)	Bill Tierney	19-7	Maryland	Maryland
1996	Princeton (14-1)	Bill Tierney	13-12 (ot)	Virginia	Maryland
1995	Syracuse (13-2)	Roy Simmons Jr.	13-9	Maryland	Maryland
1994	Princeton (14-1)	Bill Tierney	9-8 (ot)	Virginia	Maryland
1993	Syracuse (12-2)	Roy Simmons Jr.	13-12	North Carolina	Maryland
1992	Princeton (13-2)	Bill Tierney	10-9 (2ot)	Syracuse	Penn
1991	North Carolina (16-0)	Dave Klarmann	18-13	Towson	Syracuse
1990	Syracuse* (13-0)	Roy Simmons Jr.	21-9	Loyola Maryland	Rutgers
1989	Syracuse (14-1)	Roy Simmons Jr.	13-12	Johns Hopkins	Maryland
1988	Syracuse (15-0)	Roy Simmons Jr.	13-8	Cornell	Syracuse
1987	Johns Hopkins (10-3)	Don Zimmerman	11-10	Cornell	Rutgers
1986	North Carolina (11-3)	Willie Scroggs	10-9 (ot)	Virginia	Delaware
1985	Johns Hopkins (13-1)	Don Zimmerman	11-4	Syracuse	Brown
1984	Johns Hopkins (14-0)	Don Zimmerman	13-10	Syracuse	Delaware
1983	Syracuse (14-1)	Roy Simmons Jr.	17-16	Johns Hopkins	Rutgers
1982	North Carolina (14-0)	Willie Scroggs	7-5	Johns Hopkins	Virginia
1981	North Carolina (12-0)	Willie Scroggs	14-13	Johns Hopkins	Princeton
1980	Johns Hopkins (14-1)	Henry Ciccarone	9-8 (2ot)	Virginia	Cornell
1979	Johns Hopkins (13-0)	Henry Ciccarone	15-9	Maryland	Maryland
1978	Johns Hopkins (13-1)	Henry Ciccarone	13-8	Cornell	Rutgers
1977	Cornell (13-0)	Richie Moran	16-8	Johns Hopkins	Virginia
1976	Cornell (16-0)	Richie Moran	16-13 (ot)	Maryland	Brown
1975	Maryland (11-3)	Bud Beardmore	20-13	Navy	Johns Hopkins
1974	Johns Hopkins (12-2)	Bob Scott	17-12	Maryland	Rutgers
1973	Maryland (14-1)	Bud Beardmore	10-9 (2ot)	Johns Hopkins	Penn
1972	Virginia (11-4)	Glenn Thiel	13-12	Johns Hopkins	Maryland
1971	Cornell (13-1)	Richie Moran	12-6	Maryland	Hofstra

*After the 1990 championship, the NCAA Committee on Infractions determined that Paul Gait had played in the 1990 championship while ineligible. Under NCAA rules, Syracuse and Paul Gait’s records for that championship were vacated. The NCAA does not recognize Syracuse and coach Roy Simmons Jr.’s 3-0 record, and Paul Gait’s 7 goals, 7 assists and his participation in that championship.

U.S. Men’s Roster | US Lacrosse Team USA

U.S. Men’s Training Team Roster

2018 (Players selected for travel team roster to Israel in bold)

First	Last	Position	MLL Team	College	Hometown
Matt	Abbott	M	Chesapeake	Syracuse ’09	Syracuse, N.Y.
Drew	Adams	G	New York	Penn State ’09	Springfield, Pa.
Trevor	Baptiste	FO	n/a	Denver ’18	Denville, N.J.
Jake	Bernhardt	SSDM	Ohio	Maryland ’12	Longwood, Fla.
Jesse	Bernhardt	D	Chesapeake	Maryland ’13	Longwood, Fla.
Ryan	Brown	A	Charlotte	Johns Hopkins ’16	Sykesville, Md.
Connor	Buczek	M	Florida	Cornell ’15	Cincinnati, Ohio
Liam	Byrnes	LSM	Florida	Marquette ’15	West Islip, N.Y.
Mike	Chanenchuk	M	Charlotte	Maryland ’14	Poquott, N. Y.
CJ	Costabile	LSM	Chesapeake	Duke ’12	New Fairfield, Conn.
Ned	Crotty	A	Dallas	Duke ’10	New Vernon, N.J.
Matt	Danowski	A	Chesapeake	Duke ’07	Farmingdale, N.Y.
*Steve	DeNapoli	SSDM	New York	Hofstra ’11	Hewlett, N.Y.
Tucker	Durkin	D	Florida	Johns Hopkins ’13	Huntingdon Valley, Pa.
Michael	Ehrhardt	LSM	Charlotte	Maryland ’14	Westbury, N.Y.
Michael	Evans	D	Chesapeake	Johns Hopkins ’09	Davidsonville, Md.
Joe	Fletcher	D	New York	Loyola ’14	Syracuse, N.Y.
Brendan	Fowler	FO	Charlotte	Duke ’14	Wantagh, N.Y.
Jake	Froccaro	M	Chesapeake	Villanova ’17	Sands Point, N.Y.
John	Galloway	G	Dallas	Syracuse ’11	Syracuse, N.Y.
B.J.	Grill	D	Denver	Marquette ’16	Bridgewater, N.J.
Greg	Gurenlian	FO	New York	Penn State ’06	Springfield, Pa.
Kyle	Hartzell	LSM	New York	Salisbury ’08	Dundalk, Md.
John	Haus	M	Charlotte	Maryland ’13	Lutherville, Md.
Will	Haus	SSDM	Charlotte	Duke ’15	Palmyra, Pa.
Marcus	Holman	A	Ohio	North Carolina ’13	Baltimore, Md.
Myles	Jones	M	Chesapeake	Duke ’16	Huntington, N.Y.
Matt	Kavanagh	A	Denver	Notre Dame ’16	Rockville Centre, N.Y.
Connor	Kelly	M	n/a	Maryland ’18	Easton, Conn.
Tom	Kelly	FO	Denver	Virginia	Rocky Point, N.Y.
Jack	Kelly	G	Denver	Brown ’16	West Islip, N.Y.
Michael	Manley	D	Dallas	Duke ’12	Keuka Park, N.Y.
Will	Manny	A	New York	Massachusetts ’13	Massapequa, N.Y.
JoJo	Marasco	M	New York	Syracuse ’13	Yorktown Heights, N.Y.
Dylan	Molloy	A	Florida	Brown ’17	Setauket, N.Y.
Tim	Muller	D	Florida	Maryland ’17	Garden City, N.Y.
Joe	Nardella	FO	Boston	Rutgers ’15	Cazenovia, N.Y.
Rob	Pannell	A	New York	Cornell ’13	Smithtown, N.Y.
Brian	Phipps	G	Chesapeake	Maryland ’10	Annapolis, Md.
Paul	Rabil	M	New York	Johns Hopkins ’08	Gaithersburg, Md.
Scott	Ratliff	LSM	Atlanta	Loyola ’13	Marietta, Ga.
Jacob	Richard	SSDM	New York	Marquette ’16	West Chester, Pa.
Tom	Schreiber	M	Ohio	Princeton ’14	East Meadow, N.Y.
Drew	Snider	M	Denver	Maryland ’12	Seattle, Wash.
Kevin	Unterstein	SSDM	New York	Hofstra ’08	Shoreham, N.Y.
Joe	Walters	M	New York	Maryland ’06	Rochester, N.Y.
Joel	White	LSM	Dallas	Syracuse ’11	Cortland
Jordan	Wolf	A	Dallas	Duke ’14	Wynnewood, Pa.

* – Injured. Unable to participate.

Coaches

Head Coach: John Danowski (Duke)
Assistant Coaches: Joe Amplo (Marquette), Tony Resch (LaSalle College), Seth Tierney (Hofstra)

The Golden Era of Lehigh Lacrosse

The 1920s were the “Golden era” of Lehigh Lacrosse. Leading up to this decade, Lehigh rapidly became a nationally recognized lacrosse team, winning championship titles in 1890, 1893, 1896, 1897, 1914, 1916, and 1917, and two more in 1920 and 1921. During the 1920s, the spirit of Lehigh Lacrosse was embodied in the personality of its head coach, Bill O’Neil, a fiery Canadian mentor from Cornwall, Canada. At this time, intercollegiate lacrosse was dominated by colleges that were members of either the Northern or Southern Leagues; the Northern League consisted of Cornell, Harvard, Hobart, Syracuse, and Yale, while the Southern League consisted of Johns Hopkins, Stevens, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Lehigh.

In the 1920 season, lacrosse was one of the most important sports at Lehigh and it was during this year that the team stood against its fiercest competition. Of the seven games played during the season, Lehigh lost only the opener against Navy. Teams such as Syracuse and Johns Hopkins fell to the team’s athletic prowess. Much of the credit for the season was due to Coach O’Neil, who recruited the lacrosse veterans that lead the team to victory.

The 1921 season was one of the most glorious years in the history of Lehigh lacrosse. The team played nine games against the best teams in the country, losing only once to St. John’s College. Seven of the teams on this schedule were collegiate twelves, while the other two were professional club teams; the winning season was no easy feat. The 1921 team had experienced players with only a few new ones, allowing O’Neil to develop an extremely competitive team that knew how to play the game from beginning to end. Lehigh won the Southern division championship, defeating Johns Hopkins 5-1. After this victory, a game was arranged with the Northern Division champion, Syracuse, where Lehigh emerged the victor, 3-1. This achievement led to the first time that Lehigh was officially crowned the Intercollegiate Lacrosse Champions of the United States.

Although the 1921 season was the last time Lehigh won a national title, the team continued to play competitively at a national level. It wasn’t until the retirement of the popular head coach, Bill O’Neil, in 1926 that the team began to level off, and the spirit of Lehigh Lacrosse began to diminish. Coach O’Neil was a respected coach whose success was accredited to the 1920 and 1921 seasons; he was a famous lacrosse player himself, and he understood how to make skillful plays. Soon after his retirement, school spirit for lacrosse seems to have waned and the alumni weekend tradition of playing University of Toronto was eliminated. The golden era for Lehigh Lacrosse was over, and for many years lacrosse remained a secondary sport on the Lehigh University campus.

Image from the 1923 Epitome

Lacrosse | sport | Britannica

History

Lacrosse was played by the Six Nations of the Iroquois (in what became upper New York state and lower Ontario) long before Christopher Columbus landed in the New World. The sport was then much rougher than it is today. Among some tribes as many as a thousand players took part on each side, goals were miles apart, and a game could last as long as three days. Each player tried to disable as many opponents as possible with the stick he carried and afterward concentrate on scoring a goal. The Cherokee called their version of the game “little brother of war.” Because of the endurance required and the injuries that had to be borne with fortitude it was considered excellent training for combat. Among many tribes the game was as much a mystic ceremony as a sport and was preceded by complex rituals and a solemn dance. In some areas men and women played together, and in other areas women had their own version of the game. Indians on government reservations in the United States and Canada still field strong teams.

To the first French settlers in Canada who saw the game, called baggataway, or tewaraathon, by the Indians, the shape of the implement used to catch, carry, and throw the ball suggested a bishop’s crozier (la crosse), giving the sport its name.

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Europeans in Canada started playing the game about 1840, and the first lacrosse organization, the Olympic Club, was founded in Montreal in 1842. In playing Indian teams, white players lost so frequently they were allowed to field extra men. Members of the Montreal Lacrosse Club (founded 1856) modified the rules somewhat, and in 1867 George Beers of Montreal, called “the father of lacrosse,” made further changes that included replacing the Indian ball of deerskin stuffed with hair by a hard rubber ball, limiting the number of players on a team to 12, and improving the stick for easier catching and throwing of the ball. The 12 players were designated at that time as goal, point, cover point, first defense, second defense, third defense, centre, third attack, second attack, first attack, out home, and in home. In 1867 the National Lacrosse Association was formed, and the game was introduced to England. Captain W.B. Johnson of Montreal toured with a team of Caughnawaga Indians, appearing at Windsor Castle before Queen Victoria, who found the game “very pretty to watch.” The English took to the sport and the game achieved popularity, notably in Lancashire, Cheshire, Yorkshire, Manchester, Bristol, and London. The English Lacrosse Union was founded in 1892, and the All-England Women’s Lacrosse Association was formed in 1912. English teams exchanged visits with teams from the United States and Canada from time to time, and combined Oxford-Cambridge teams frequently exchanged visits with college or all-star teams from the United States. The game was also introduced in Ireland, Australia, and South Africa.

In the United States a team of Indians introduced lacrosse at Troy, New York, about 1868, and a few years later teams were started in that city and in New York City. In the 1880s Eastern schools including New York University, Princeton, Yale, and Harvard took up the sport. In 1884 a successful tour of Europe was made by a team of U.S. collegians, and in 1906 the U.S. Intercollegiate Lacrosse League was formed. The game received its greatest impetus, however, when it was introduced to Baltimore by some track-and-field athletes, who had seen the game played by Canadians on Long Island. The Baltimoreans actively promoted the sport, aiming at all age levels, so that Baltimore became the main U.S. centre of lacrosse. During the 1920s women field hockey players discovered lacrosse, and in 1931 the U.S. Women’s Lacrosse Association was formed.

The Intercollegiate Lacrosse League was reorganized in 1926 as the U.S. Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association, which had about 120 member colleges. In 1970 the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), with more than 500 member colleges, undertook sponsorship of intercollegiate lacrosse competition, reflecting the growth of the sport in the country outside its traditional Eastern Seaboard stronghold. NCAA national championship tournaments for men began in 1971; women’s tournaments began in 1982. The college team considered the best in the country is awarded the Wingate Trophy.

Lacrosse was included in the Olympic Games in 1904 and 1908 with teams representing Canada, the United States, and Great Britain. Teams from those countries also demonstrated the sport in exhibitions at the Games in 1928, 1932, and 1948, but it did not attract enough international interest to remain an Olympic sport. World Championships for men have been held since 1967. Women’s World Championships were held from 1969 to 1982, when they were replaced by the World Cup. A variant of lacrosse, called box lacrosse, was introduced in Canada in 1930.

2018 World Lacrosse Championship. Netanya, Israel: kot_bayun – LiveJournal

Cat B @ Jun ( kot_bayun ) wrote,
2018-07-21 19:27:00 Cat B @ Jun
kot_bayun
2018-07-21 19:27:00

Category: The 13th World Lacrosse Championship was held from 12 to 21 July in Netanya. We were able to visit the grand opening, which took place, like the final match of the tournament, at the city’s municipal stadium.It was like a small Olympics, with songs, dances, drums, solemn performances of teams in national costumes and, surprisingly, a considerable number of spectators in the stands.

I already told about the rules of this strange sport, in which men run across the field with nets, when the England national team, the winner of 9 out of 10 European Championships, came to Israel for a series of exhibition matches. At the last European Championship, by the way, England in the final with a slippery score 7: 6 defeated the Israeli team, which for the first time reached such a high level.
So, it was unexpectedly decided to hold the 13th World Championship in Israel.
Separately, it should be said that all previous tournaments, starting from 1967, were held every four years exclusively in the countries of the “top four”: Canada, Australia, England, USA, Canada, Australia, England, USA, Australia, Canada, England, USA … And suddenly ours were connected!
46 teams came to the championship! I never thought that this sport was so widely developed. The games were mainly held on the green fields of the Wingate Institute, but the opening, the first Israel-Jamaica match and the final, as I noted above, took place at the Netanya city stadium.
The ticket price, announced initially on the off-site, included attendance at all matches on a game day (and about a dozen games were played every day) and amounted to 179 shekels. But there was also our Jewish joke. First, about a week before the opening, a pop-up window appeared on the official website of the championship, in which it was announced in Hebrew that for the coupon לקרוס 18, the ticket price sharply became only 20 shekels (not so a discount!).
And starting from the first day of the tournament, it was announced on the champion’s Facebook page that the entrance to the matches taking place in Wingate is absolutely free for the Israeli viewer.Normally, foreigners were fucked up like that. Bravo!
Israel started the first match with Jamaica frankly weak.
After the first quarter the score was 2: 2 (despite the fact that at some point Jamaica even led 2: 1).
But then the blue and white remembered how cool they were in swinging the nets, and began to throw ball after ball to the opponent.
The opponent was not spared at all
In the end, Israel won 11: 3.
Jamaica was not helped even by their brutal coach
And then during the tournament Israel won 19: 2 against Russia, 11: 8 against the Philippines and 16: 4 against Ireland, after which it reached the quarterfinals, like 4 years ago at the World Championship, in which Israel first took part.And, like 4 years ago, this milestone was not passed again – that time Israel lost to Australia 8: 9, this time in 1/4 there was a loss of the same Australia 6: 9.
Then again there was a continuation of the history already in the tradition – in the tournament for 5-8 places the Israelis lost to Japan at 9:10, after which they won against Puerto Rico 12: 1 and took their favorite 7th place (in 2014 in Colorado they also took 7th place after defeat to England at 9:10 and victory over Japan at 15:10).
Eh, Japan, Japan …
Or is he not Japan?
Fans came to the championship even from New Zealand (although they look like the purest British, only there is not enough beer, which, unfortunately, was not sold at the stadium)
Surprisingly, at the stadium, except for hot dogs for 20 shekels and Coca-Cola for 10, did not sell anything at all.Not opening some of the most seedy merchandise store at the World Cup, especially at its opening – this is real nonsense.
Jamaica defeated Wales in 13-14 places.
Hungarians were content with 28th place
Hawaii?
Ours! Our hundred poods!
And the gold of the championship for the 10th time (out of 13!) Was taken by athletes from the USA, who defeated their eternal rivals from Canada 9: 8 in the final. Moreover, the last goal was scored three (!) Seconds before the end of the match.
The Iroquois team, which became, perhaps, together in Uganda, the most popular among the Israeli public, took the bronze medal of the tournament for the second time in a row.
Russia won 36th place, and Luxembourg became the last, 46th.
But there were tons of Ugandan fans in the stands. Especially black boys fell in love with white girls, moreover, obviously not Israeli women.
Drums, all the cases.
A little about the Iroquois. Why are they here? Because it was they who invented lacrosse in the 15th century, using it to train warriors and peacefully resolve conflicts between tribes. Teams at that time often consisted of several hundred people, and the length of the field for the game was up to several kilometers.Some of the participants often died during the game.
Few people know that the self-name of these Indian tribes, still inhabiting the territories of Oklahoma and Canada, is the Houdenosauni, and that the Iroquois, derived from the word Iroku, were chased by the neighboring tribes and it means “real vipers”! Today, about 125 thousand of these ancient Indians live in the United States and Canada.
The idea of ​​creating your own team was sanctioned by the Great Council of Howdenosaune in 1983. The International Lacrosse Federation at first opposed the acceptance of a new incomprehensible member into its ranks, but then it gave the green light to an amazing team that brought an original flavor to this sport.
However, not everything is so simple – the team had to miss the 2010 World Cup in England due to the non-recognition of the Iroquois passports by the United Kingdom, which they use at home. In Israel, too, it was not without problems – the athletes who came to the world championship were detained at the Israeli customs for 48 hours, during which their Houdenosauni passports were processed.
But not only Indians came to shock the audience with their appearance. The Scots put on kilts, small handbags and smile.
Norwegian women dressed in national costumes, and their men came out to the opening ceremony in sweaters. And this is about 35 degrees in the heat! They are strong, Scandinavian Vikings.
People in yellow and with kangaroos were unusually positive and smiled left and right.
The support they had in the stands was also stunning.
It was generally great in the stands with pleasant faces. This is not Israeli football with its Moroccans and ARs.
Men from Uganda you have already seen on the podium, but if women in Uganda are all like that, then I urgently need to go to this country (it’s not for nothing that I have a Ugandan national team shirt)
A little more positive Uganda
Gloomy New Zealanders
Russians yesterday evening
Well, and a little bit of the rest
In short, the championship turned out to be very beautiful and that such tournaments should be held in Israel more often!
Let more joy, smiles and light be on the faces sitting in the stands of our stadiums!
And lacrosse will be either hockey or some other sport – it’s all the same.Although .. let the Israeli national team at the next world championship still overcome its fatal line of 7th place and rise to the top three!
Video from the opening ceremony of the World Cup at the stadium in Netanya:

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Let me introduce myself: lacrosse!

Interest in previously little-known sports games often leads to the fact that a new sport in a fairly short time suddenly becomes widespread, massive, even Olympic. Today, for example, it is no longer necessary to explain to anyone what curling or field hockey is, although a few decades ago this would require leafing through encyclopedias, extracting information from sports literature.The kind of sport that we will try to talk about today is probably also known to very few. Well, the more interesting it will probably be to get to know him better. Get to know – and, possibly, make your choice.

A game for real Indians

Lacrosse (“la crosse”) – literally translated from French means “hockey stick”. They claim that this game was invented by the American Indians – ball matches were used for the physical training of warriors. And also – for bloodless, sporting and peaceful resolution of conflicts that arose between tribes.Archaeological findings suggest that lacrosse originated in the first half of the 15th century on the territory of modern Canada. The first European settlers met her in the 17th century, and in the 19th century the beloved sports game spread quite widely among the inhabitants of the French colony of Canada, who christened it in the French way. The first official game of lacrosse took place in 1867, so this sport, due to its historical roots, is quite capable of competing with football.By the way, another interesting fact, also related to the preservation of the historical roots of this ancient game. In addition to the national lacrosse association in America, today there is a team in which representatives of the Iroquois and other Indian tribes play.

RULES

Lacrosse is a contact sports game between two teams. The goal is to shoot the ball into the opponent’s goal using a stick called a stick.

There are four player positions in lacrosse: midfielders, forwards, defenders, and goalkeeper.Midfielders can be in any part of the field and play both in defense and attack. The task of the defense is to prevent the scoring of their goal and get the ball using a stick-stick, using contact wrestling or a correctly chosen position on the field. The goalkeeper is the last line of defense.

The game is divided into several types, due to the location of the competition.

Grass Lacrosse is a classic game played by two teams of ten.

Mini-lacrosse (lacrosse in a box) – the game takes place indoors, teams of six compete in it.

Depending on the composition of the teams, there are:

– men’s lacrosse. Four periods of 15 minutes each. The playing field measures 100 x 55 meters with a gate 1.8 meters wide. The gates are located at a distance of 72 meters from each other;

– Women’s lacrosse. A game of two periods of 25 minutes each. The size of the field and the width of the goal are usually the same as in the men’s version of the game, but the distance between the goals is already 92 meters.

EQUIPMENT

Rubber ball.The main playable projectile in lacrosse. Its dimensions are 62.8-64.77 mm, weight is 140-146 grams.

Stick – a special design stick, which is a symbiosis of a racket and a net. Players use three types of sticks that differ in the length of the handle. Midfielders and strikers are armed with short sticks, defenders are armed with elongated ones. The goalkeeper’s weapon is a stick with a larger net-net.

Protective helmet. A mandatory attribute of a player that reliably protects the head and face from injury.

Leggings gloves.Designed to protect hands from impact.

Elbow and knee pads. Means that protect the player during contact wrestling, falls. To protect against possible injury, players are also allowed to use additional, usually hockey, body protection.

REPEAT ROAD TO OLYMPUS

In its long history, this game has managed to climb Olympus. Olympic medals in lacrosse, however, were played only twice, in 1904 and 1908.Both gold sets then went, of course, to the Canadians. Later, lacrosse was removed from the Olympic program, although it appeared on the Olympic fields three more times, but already as demonstration performances. The annual World Lacrosse Championships, held for almost thirty years, give hope that the game’s ascent to Olympus may well be repeated.

Today there are more than three dozen national lacrosse federations in the world. Most of them are located in Europe and were created in the last decade of the 20th century, but the United States and Eastern Canada remain the leading countries, where lacrosse is very popular.In Canada, for example, it has already become a national – the main summer sport. Lacrosse is well known to the British and Australians. Associations of this sport have been established in Japan, South Korea, New Zealand. Lacrosse is appreciated in China and India. In Russia, it has not yet been recognized as an official sport, but the creation of a lacrosse federation, as the Russian initiators and enthusiasts of its promotion assure, is the prospect of the very near future.

At the moment there are only two full-fledged teams in Russia, in Moscow and St. Petersburg, playing the “Cup of Capitals” lacrosse among themselves.In Moscow, a student team has appeared, created on the basis of the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia. The team is also being formed in Yaroslavl. Let’s hope that this list will soon be replenished with another one formed by enthusiasts here in Krasnoyarsk. The guys spend their trainings on weekends in Tatyshev Park, inviting everyone to join these classes.

COMMENT

Andrey Istomin , captain of the emerging Krasnoyarsk lacrosse team:

– It is impossible not to fall in love with lacrosse, if only because it is the most dynamic, fastest team game.In addition, it is accessible to a person of almost any age: in our team, both 35-year-olds and eighth-graders have successfully mastered it. Lacrosse is available for both boys and girls.

We spend our Saturday and Sunday training on the ice hockey rink of Tatyshev Island: I am sure that anyone who has ever been to the island will find it without difficulty. One more thing that I would like to inform those who have shown a desire to study: they will not have to spend money on the purchase of equipment, equipment – we are able to supply everyone with everything they need.

No matter what your physical form, the main thing is required of you – the desire to play this exciting game. I will add that due to the lack of competition in this sport in our country, everyone has a chance to get to the Russian championship, and having shown himself at it – to be included in the national team.

Those interested in this offer can contact me directly – 8-933-200-27-90. I will wait for calls!

Lacrosse Exotic Game

We all hear such sports as football, volleyball, tennis, hockey and others.These are popular and widespread sports that you can hardly surprise anyone with. However, there are many relatively rare sports in the world that have not become widespread, but continue to exist. Today we will talk about one of these sports – lacrosse.

Lacrosse is an invention of the Indians. Even at the beginning of the 15th century, the Indians who inhabited the modern territory of Canada invented this team sport. Rather, lacrosse was not a sporting discipline, but rather was used to train warriors or even to resolve disputes between tribes.In ancient times, up to several hundred participants fought in lacrosse, and the site for the action occupied vast territories, reaching several kilometers.

The word “la crosse” itself is translated from French as “hockey stick”. Indeed, the main equipment required for the game is a golf club with a net attached to the bottom. In this net, during the game, a small rubber ball is carried, which must be thrown into the opponent’s goal. The French name for this sport got due to the fact that the first Europeans who began to play lacrosse were French settlers.

The first professional lacrosse club was founded by a Montreal dentist in 1867. In the same year, the first official lacrosse match took place in Canada. By the beginning of the 20th century, there were already more than 30 different national lacrosse federations in the world. The game is most popular in the United States and in its homeland – Canada.

The peak of the popularity of this game came at the beginning of the 20th century, when in 1904 and 1908 lacrosse was included in the program of the Summer Olympic Games.A little later, at the 1928, 1932 and 1948 Olympics, lacrosse was considered an exemplary sport.

Today, lacrosse is a contact team game played by 2 teams of 6-10 people each. The players have special long-handled sticks in their hands, which have a special net at the end. With the help of this net, the opponents catch and pass the ball, which eventually needs to be thrown into the opponent’s goal. Ball possession is strictly regulated. So, in the hands of the goalkeeper the ball must be no more than 4 seconds.If he stays longer, then the ball will be given to the opposing team. The defenders of the team can also keep the ball in their half for a limited amount of time – no more than 20 seconds. During this time period, players must send him to the other half of the field. As soon as this happens, the defender must transfer him to the attack zone in no more than 10 seconds. Due to its time frame, lacrosse is a dynamic sport.

All team players are divided into several types: forwards, defenders, midfielders and goalkeepers.All but the midfielders must remain in their assigned area. Only midfielders can leave her. In major league games, midfielders, in turn, are divided into attackers and defenders. Each type of player performs its strictly assigned functions. For example, a defender defends the goal, and the attacker attacks the players of the opposing team. Since lacrosse is a contact sport, it is allowed to hit the opponent’s body during the game. Contact lacrosse is played exclusively by men’s teams.Therefore, they have the appropriate equipment. For men and women, the rules of the game are slightly different.

If men’s teams are playing, the game lasts 4 periods of 15 minutes. During which you can make substitutions of players 9 times. The size of the field where men play is 100 by 55 meters. And the distance between the gates of the opposing teams is 72 meters. The gate itself is 1.8 meters wide.

Women’s lacrosse is less traumatic as it eliminates direct contact with the opposing team’s players.However, the game lasts not 4, but 2 periods of 25 minutes each. The size of the field and the rules of the game are the same as for the men’s game, but the goal is at a farther distance – 92 meters. Women are not allowed to collide. Contact with an opponent from the other team is punishable by a fine.

In the homeland of lacrosse, in Canada, lacrosse is played both outdoors and in closed boxes. The winner of one of the most prestigious competitions in lacrosse – Mann Cup Senior “A” receives a trophy made of solid gold, the value of which is estimated at 25.000 dollars.

Lacrosse is a predominantly collegiate sport in the United States. Teams representing 88 universities participate in the first division of the championship. The second division includes 46 teams, and the 3 – 208 teams. In addition to professional, male, female and student teams, lacrosse is played by the Iroquois Nationals team of the USA and Canada.

There are lacrosse teams in Australia, New Zealand, South Korea and a number of European countries, including England, where Queen Victoria herself approved the teaching of lacrosse in schools.In Russia, the game of lacrosse has not gained popularity. The lacrosse team first appeared in 2007 and was formed by the athlete David Diamon, who gave it the name “Moscow Rebels”. But lacrosse has not become widespread in our country, remaining more a curiosity than an ordinary sport.

90,000 Deconstructing Stan Kroenke’s business empire – no one else in the world has so many clubs

He bought back Arsenal’s shares from Usmanov.

Photo: Sean M. Haffey, gettyimages.com

BIGGEST SPORTS EMPIRE IN THE WORLD

One of the most famous conflicts in English football was resolved – Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov ceded 30% of Arsenal shares to American businessman Stan Kronke . The latter now owns 97% of the club.

In addition to Arsenal, the American also owns the NFL, MLS, NHL and NBA clubs. Of all the major leagues on the planet, he has not yet gotten out only to baseball.This business empire is so vast that it is called the richest man in the world of sports.

Usmanov left Arsenal. He lost the Six Years War to Kronke

Kroenke himself still has a construction business. He also owns the exclusive development rights to real estate near Wal-Mart stores thanks to his wife Anne . She is the heiress of this multi-billion dollar business. But all of his third-party assets do not generate such insane income as football and basketball clubs.

The peculiarity of the Kronke empire is that it generates profit from sports and lives on it. While the rest of the American and European team owners sponsor clubs mainly through their third-party business, Kroenke, on the contrary, lives on the third-party business at the expense of Arsenal, Los Angeles and clubs from Colorado.

It is difficult to judge whether this is good or bad. Fans of all the clubs don’t like him, but thanks to him their clubs live economically happily. Judging by the sporting results, everything is pretty sad.

ARSENAL, nuclear submarine

Arsenal Holding plc was the actual owner of Arsenal for a long time. Before the purchase of Usmanov’s shares, Kronke owned 67% of this organization. The American came to the club in 2007, having bought out several percent, and after two years he brought his share to 30%. In the future, Kronke only increased his presence in the club.

Arsenal fans hate Kronke. Yes, the businessman has covered many of the club’s debts following the construction of the Emirates stadium.At first, the fans understood why the club was saving on everything. But now it seems to them that Kroenke is using the team only as a “cash cow”.

If before the arrival of Kroenke, Arsenal won the English championship, reached the Champions League final, but in ten years of the American at the club won three FA Cups, and even then only six years after joining. The fans are also extremely unhappy that the Emirates have the most expensive tickets in the league, despite the lack of results.

Now, after the departure of Usmanov, many are worried about the financial despotism of Kronke.Over the past five years, Arsenal have brought in over 500 million euros in profit, but much more economical times are expected. For the second year in a row, the London club has failed to qualify for the Champions League, which means it loses almost € 70 million every year.

Tottenham will soon dominate Europe. But first, a few years without purchases

LOS ANGELES REMS, NFL

The billionaire acquired the club in its entirety in 2010 by purchasing the team’s shares from the family of Frontier .Back in 1995, he helped the owners of the club move from Los Angeles to St. Louis. Under the leadership of the Frontiers, the club achieved its historic first NFL championship. After that, the club regularly experienced financial and gaming crises, as a result, the owners agreed to sell the team to Kronke.

After the purchase, the billionaire’s main goal was not the cherished championship – he wanted to move the franchise back to Los Angeles. For six years, Kroenke prepared the project until the NFL leadership agreed with his arguments and did not allow the “rams” to move to Los Angeles.If, during the reign in St. Louis, the team never made it to the playoffs, then after the move, Kroenke first began to promote the brand and strengthen the roster.

Clubs traded the first draft number with the rivals, and in the second season got into the playoffs. Now the Rams are considered one of the favorites of their conference, and they predict if not the Super Bowl, then at least a place in the playoff semifinals. Kroenke thinks not only about the result, but also about the profit. Now the stadium where the team plays is undergoing a large-scale reconstruction of the stands, and its capacity will decrease from 90 to 77 thousand.The club could lose 13 thousand potential viewers, but it will improve the quality of the review and increase the number of premium seats.

The main project has not yet been completed by Kroenke. He is now building the most expensive sports facility in the world – the team’s new stadium will accommodate more than 70 thousand spectators and will cost almost $ 3 billion. There is just one problem. Kroenke is building a stadium for the 2028 Olympics and the 2026 World Cup, but with a high degree of probability he will not see these competitions on his Opus Magnum.

COLORADO EVALANCE, NHL

Kroenke bought the hockey club in one “package” together with basketball “Denver” and their joint arena “Pepsi Center”. The previous owners, apparently anticipating the desire of the billionaire to make money for everything, pre-registered in the agreement that Colorado has no right to move to another city until 2025.

Of all Kroenke’s large assets, Colorado brings in the least income. But this is the only franchise that was somehow competitive – the next season after buying the avalanche they won the Stanley Cup, and before the 2004/05 lockout they were always considered the NHL favorites.After a season missed by the league and the introduction of new economic parameters, including a salary cap, the team made only five playoffs out of 13.

In fact, if it were an intentional financial restriction, then Kroenke would have continued to invest in the club. Before the lockout, “Colorado” had one of the biggest payoffs in the league, but now the club, if it shoots, is with such rare stars as Nathan McKinon . Obviously, if the economic model of the NHL does not change in the coming years, then in seven years Kroenke will seriously consider moving the team to another city.

Interestingly, under NFL rules, a club owner cannot lead other teams from the NHL, NBA, and Major League Baseball unless they are based in the same city as the American football franchise. When Kroenke bought out the Rams, he rewrote the team to his wife Anne to get around the rules. Yes, the law was not violated, but all the owners realized that it was possible to cheat the system. Since then, the NFL has been tough on any possible shenanigans.

DENVER NAGGETS, NBA

Like the Colorado hockey club, this basketball club is not owned by Stan Kroenk.Legally, its owner is Ann Kronke, the wife of the billionaire, and the president is Josh Kronke , their son. A businessman will always find loopholes in regulations.

In 2000, hockey and basketball in Denver were completely at the mercy of the Kronke family. Stan has no influence on the management of the team, it is completely under the control of his son. It is important for the billionaire that the franchise generates income, which has been the case in recent years. And if Colorado and Rams were among the strongest teams in their leagues at the time of purchase, Denver was considered an ordinary extra.

When Kroenke bought the basketball team, it didn’t make the playoffs for five seasons. The family needed time to clean up. In the 2003/04 season, for the first time in ten years, the team passed the regular season, since then, ten seasons in a row have entered the playoffs. True, she went through the first round only once.

Now Denver is the team that all the time lacks something to reach the playoffs. Perhaps this is due to the strength of the conference – the Nuggets are playing in the monstrous West.But even such failures do not in any way affect the franchise’s income – due to the large television contract, the team’s operating profit is still almost $ 50 million.

COLORADO REPIDS, MLS

This football club is one of the founders of MLS. The league was created in 1996 after the 1994 World Cup held in the United States. The Kronke family joined the team in 2004, they believed that football would soon become especially popular in the country.

But it turned out quite differently.Now in the league, franchises are financially successful, which appeared after MLS had found its audience. Atlanta, Seattle, Toronto, Portland, New York City have all been in the league for less than ten years. Only “LA Galaxy” somehow earns, but it is not so difficult to do it in Los Angeles.

In the latest financial report of Forbes, the Kroenke soccer franchise was ranked next to last in value. The club had a negative balance of income and spending.The businessman lost more than eight million dollars, which would be a huge failure for any club in the United States if it were not for the billionaire’s third-party funds. In fact, the club now feeds on funds earned in the NFL, NBA and Premier League. Hockey “Colorado” also does not come to self-sufficiency, but there is only a million dollars short of a profit.

Kroenke has no plans to move the soccer franchise to another city. In MLS this is not accepted, recently only the move of one team has been actively discussed – Columbus may leave for Texas.The family, apparently, is still confident in the profitability of the project, since Denver is one of the candidate cities for the 2026 World Cup.

90,072 90,097 OTHER ASSETS 90,098

In addition to these five teams, Kroenke also has lacrosse teams, its own radio network and the Altitude sports channel. He owns the Pepsi Center sports arena in Denver and a number of facilities throughout the state of Colorado. In three years, a new stadium will open in Los Angeles, which means that the businessman’s finances will go up.

So far, it can be assumed that the Kronke empire will live for decades. All clubs are either profitable or on the brink of payback. The MLS club, of course, is unprofitable, but everything can change after the World Cup-2026. It is also rumored that Kroenke plans to increase his influence in European football in the near future by entering the European Union market.

What is lacrosse

By Vladimir Manannikov Read 4 min.

What is lacrosse? Hearing for the first time the name “lacrosse” in the first part of the film “American Pie”, many domestic sports fans could not control their thoughts and understand what it was about.

Indeed, we are still more accustomed to such “purely American” games as basketball or baseball.

And it turns out that lacrosse is in no way inferior to these famous sports in terms of age and drama. It was invented by Indian tribes who, with the help of this power sport, prepared warriors before bloody battles.

The game was played on huge pastures and fields, which sometimes reached several kilometers in length. It was no wonder there were also a large number of wounded and even killed on the part of both teams.

After all, in the game it was not forbidden to push, hit the body, and also act in the most rigid manner with the use of brute force.

Modern lacrosse, of course, can be called much more civilized, but there is still a fear for the puny and slender guys entering the field. Unless they have the agility and sharpness worthy of the best sprinters – then their place is in the attack, where such people are needed.

Since we have asked questions of tactics, it means that the time has come to proceed directly to the analysis of the conditions and areas for the game.Lacrosse can be divided into two types – “ field ” and “ boxed “.

The first involves playing outdoors with natural grass. The teams in this case consist of ten people, and the field is 100 meters long. Its width is standard and is 55 meters.

By the way, women’s lacrosse puts forward more gentle parameters for the playing field – 92 meters long and 55 meters wide. But there are no female professional lacrosse teams, at least in Russia, so we will focus on the male ones.

Sometimes lacrosse turns into a special barrier, which is colloquially called a “box”. Its dimensions are smaller than that of a large field, so you have to play in 6×6 format.

The goal of lacrosse, like the vast majority of modern sports, is nothing more than hitting the goal of the opponent . This can be done both with feet with , and with the help of a special stick, which is called “ stick “.

By the way, this club and its appearance are a separate conversation.It is a kind of hybrid of a tennis racket and a hockey stick.

Using a special trap with a net installed at the tip of the stick, you need to catch a rubber ball that is thrown around during a match between lacrosse players.

Having caught this ball, you can pass it to your teammate or directly throw it into the opponent’s goal, overcoming the obstacle in the form of powerful defenders.

When developing their tactics, teams in lacrosse are guided by certain patterns.So, according to the rules – for added interest, the sticks of the defenders are larger than the sticks of the attackers from the opposing team.

In length, they are usually about 180 centimeters, while for attacking players the main game equipment is no more than 110 centimeters long. At the same time, the most powerful and stocky guys are usually put in defense.

The optimal height / weight ratio is 200/100, which by itself inspires respect!

Lacrosse rules do not prohibit striking your opponent’s stick with your stick, which definitely gives an advantage to defenders with longer sticks.

Now it is not difficult to understand why the most nimble and fast ones act in the attack. Avoiding a “direct hit” from ferocious defenders in this case will be much easier than being a big guy.

It is to avoid injury that lacrosse players’ equipment can contain an incredible amount of shields and other protective devices .
In the history of lacrosse, there have been times when it was included in the list of Olympic sports. However, having tried a similar practice at the 1904 and 1908 Olympics , the International Olympic Committee abandoned it henceforth.

Apparently, the reason for the refusal was just the high trauma hazard. True, in the last quarter of the twentieth century, world championships began to be held regularly. The founders – the Americans – became champions nine times out of eleven.

There are currently about thirty lacrosse federations in the world. The majority unites several independent states in their ranks, but there are still “proud loners” in the person of, for example, China and India, which act as one national team at all international competitions.

Lacrosse is a very tough and traumatic sport. However, for real men who lack just stiffness and adrenaline in life, it has become a great way to let off steam!

Lacrosse and Baggataway

Historians say that the rubber ball for the game originated in America. The first reportage about this “Indian venture” was brought to Europe by H. Columbus, a traveler known for his unsuccessful search for India. Some of the old games were inherited by the current inhabitants of the New World.

Here is, say, the modern American game of lacrosse, or, as the Cherokee Indians who lived in the Midwest of the United States called it, Baggataway. In a loose translation, this means “the younger brother of the war.” It is easy to be convinced that this is exactly the case by looking at least at the ammunition of the lacrosse squad – helmets that capture a good part of the face, elbow pads, knee pads, belly pads and even back pads. And rackets with long handles – neither give nor take halberds or halberds.

Native American tribal elders believed that the Baggatavey forged strong, uncompromising characters.Moreover, it is very useful for the health of those who remain alive and well after the match. The competition during it lasted up to two days in a row, and sometimes all the wealth of the tribe – cattle, pastures, watering places – was at stake. Needless to say, such a game “for fun” caused some excitement. The players (their number, by the way, was not limited) were also encouraged by the fact that the fans, standing at the edge of the field with tomahawks in their hands, were ready in case of biased refereeing or few other complications to get involved in the case.

Unlike modern lacrosse, baggataway players competed only in loincloths. The champions were rewarded with a special feather headdress, and they were held in no less respect than the current centers of attack of the national teams.

What are the rules for lacrosse? Two gates 110 yards apart, two teams of ten. The object of the game is to throw as many balls as possible using a special long-handled racket. The handle should be as strong as possible.It is not allowed to grab the ball with your hands. In the old days, tricks were known who caught the ball with their mouths and delivered it in this way to the opponent’s penalty area, where they spat it into their racket and shot it into the goal. It was here that strong handles were needed: by regularly striking them on the head, the opponents convinced the kidnapper to release the ball from his mouth and re-enter the game.

Now, in order to avoid such tricks, the balls are enlarged in such a way that you simply cannot take them on a tooth.

Interesting episodes have been preserved in the baggatawey annals.On June 4, 1763, two Indian tribes invited the British, who were garrisoned on the land taken from the Indians at Fort Michilimakinak, Michigan, to stage an exhibition match in honor of King George III. The British, as true athletes, agreed with pleasure. In the midst of the game, the ball accidentally flew over the wall of the fort. The commandant, getting excited, ordered to open the gate and get the ball. But as soon as the guards finished the gates, the Indians grabbed battle axes instead of rackets and killed the entire garrison.

This made the British to be wary of the sports hobbies of the Indians. Soon the baggatawey was banned. It was only recently that a modified baggataway named lacrosse entered the sports roster of American college students.

Last year, 112 college teams competed in the lacrosse cup. Lacrosse uses elements from other sports – basketball passes, rugby defense. But the technique, frankly, is not that important here.“Where the most important,” says coach Peck Auer, “is the desire to fight an opponent.” And many have enough of it.

90,000 Andrey Muravyov: what is lacrosse?

Lacrosse is a relatively unpopular team game that is gaining popularity every year. The main goal of each of the two teams is to hammer a small rubber ball into the opponent’s goal. In this case, you can use both a special stick and legs. As for Russia and the Russian lacrosse championship, one of the most famous players is Andrei Muravyov.

Interestingly, this sports entertainment was invented by the American Indians, who used it exclusively to prepare warriors for the upcoming campaign. Despite this, lacrosse was also used to peacefully resolve some of the conflicts that periodically arose between tribes. After the match between the two teams, people who were once considered wild and uneducated by the conquerors, managed to come to a common denominator and dot the i’s in this or that dispute.

For the first time, they began to play lacrosse in Russia in 2007 under the guidance of American coach David Diamonon. Despite the fact that this sport is not supported by the Olympic Committee, there are many enthusiasts in our country who like it. Today, teams playing lacrosse are positioned mainly in such large cities as Moscow, St. Petersburg and others. Andrey Muravyov, for example, plays for Nizhny Novgorod Kristall.

Of course, for the most part, lacrosse is widespread in their homeland – in the USA and Canada, but many teams are positioned in England, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea.There are also independent associations for this sport in India and China. Despite the fact that lacrosse is an exclusively male game, women are showing more and more interest in it.

It is relatively safe to play lacrosse if you are wearing appropriate gear. It consists of a variety of shields and other devices designed to protect the body from injury.