Good morning. Here’s the latest from around the lacrosse world:
1. The U.S. men's team tryouts continued on Tuesday with morning and evening sessions. Players braved mid-90s in the morning session while switching between full-field and small-sided drills, then returned for a two-hour night session.
Coach John Danowski preached to the 71 invitees to “keep it simple” in an effort to ease the usual tensions that come with a national team tryout. His assistants, Marquette’s Joe Amplo and Hofstra’s Seth Tierney, told players the little things would not go unnoticed.
Invitees like Joe Walters are not taking the opportunity for granted. Walters made the U.S. team in 2006 while he was at Maryland, but hasn't competed in the World Cup since. Former Marquette star B.J. Grill is using his knowledge of Amplo’s defensive system to his unit’s advantage. The trimmed rosters will be announced this afternoon.
2. U.S. women’s attacker Kelly Rabil and goalie Gussie Johns shared their experiences from the national team’s first few days in England ahead of the FIL World Cup.
Rabil and the rest of Team USA watched a video comprised of messages from U.S. team alumnas, which produced a variety of reactions.
Johns took us through a scrimmage with Japan, a team with a contrasting style of play. She said the trip finally sunk in when the team reached Surrey Sports Park for the first time.
“Coming to the site of the tournament gave me goosebumps,” she said. “I’ve dreamed about being in this position since I was a little kid, and to be living it, with the opening ceremonies right around the corner, is such a surreal feeling. “
The wait is almost over. The U.S. will take on Scotland tomorrow in its first game of the FIL World Cup.
3. Belgium is among seven nations making their first appearances in the FIL World Cup. Sisters Pascale and Julie D’Huyvetter will join together on the Belgium back line in their country’s first game against the Netherlands on Friday,
The D’Huyvetters have been inseparable since they were children, playing a number of sports together throughout their childhood. So when Pascale picked up the game at Ghent University in 2011, Julie wasn’t far behind.
Now, they’ll be a part of their country’s history. Check out the rest of the newcomers to this year’s World Cup.