For any sport that is predominantly featured in a professional and collegiate setting, fans have their own personal opinions on which version of the sport they enjoy more. There have been lifelong debates when it comes to football about whether individuals prefer the college game over the NFL. The same debates have translated over to basketball, with many people preferring the college format compared to the NBA. With the Premier Lacrosse League finding its footing and now officially having some years under its belt, it’s safe to say the league is going to stick around for quite some time. While the PLL has been very successful and has generated many fans, I wonder what percentage of fans prefer the college game to the pros. I personally fall into this category for a number of reasons, but that does not mean I do not enjoy the PLL. The PLL offers its own variety of lacrosse, especially in the summer offseason, but there’s always going to be something about the college game that intrigues me more. I’d like to list out my reasons as to why I prefer to watch college lacrosse compared to the PLL.

There is something so special about a college atmosphere. The prestige of conferences, along with historic rivalries that translate across all sports, makes the games just mean a little bit more. The spectacle of the many different venues that each team plays at, along with the dedicated fans filling the stands, is truly special. It is this character and culture that comes with college lacrosse that cannot be replicated at a professional level. This is one of the many reasons why individuals prefer college football compared to the NFL. While you will have dedicated fan bases on both sides, there is something much more connecting and traditional that comes with the college game for both lacrosse and football. I’ve been to multiple Ohio State men’s lacrosse games, and the atmosphere there is unreal, especially in their new custom stadium. While I think the PLL is doing a good job at giving us quality professional lacrosse, I think it is a lot more difficult for professional sports leagues to garner the same level of tradition and atmosphere that you get at the college game.

At the college level, every year brings a brand-new team. With seniors graduating and freshmen coming in, paired with developing sophomores and juniors, it truly is a new team every year. This brings so much excitement as fans have something to look forward to when it comes to recruiting and knowing that the upperclassmen only have so many games left to bring home glory to their respective schools. The professional game typically features the same players year after year with incremental inclusions from the draft. While it is still fun to have your favorite PLL team bring in some new talent, nothing is better than seeing a college player get better year over year. Having only a four-year window to play for your respective school adds a sense of urgency to win now and validity to their playing career. At the pro level, much like any sport, pros will play for 10-plus years and have multiple opportunities to hopefully win a championship. It is so fun knowing that every year at the college game your team could look completely different from last year, and trying to see how the coaching staff will adapt to these changes leads me to my next point.

From an X’s and O’s standpoint, the college game just brings so much more when it comes to game-day schemes. At the professional level, you just have the best players in the world going out there and playing lacrosse. Don’t get me wrong, there still is coaching involved as teams have different actions they are looking to run or areas of the field they are looking to attack, but nothing compares to the college game. There are so many different sliding packages and offensive principles that hundreds of coaches across the country have that differ from one another. This makes every college game so enticing as there is something to pull from every game. Teams have to get way more creative in how they are going to play opposing teams on a week-by-week basis, whether it is to play to their strengths or hide their weaknesses. As a coach, I love watching the college game and being able to pull away tidbits of information and try to get a better understanding of why teams are doing the things they are doing. This is not a diss on the pro game, but when you have the best players in the world, you kind of just let them go out and play.

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The Santa Barbara Showdown is one of the biggest events in lacrosse to hit the West Coast, set against the breathtaking backdrop of Santa Barbara County. With the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Santa Ynez Mountains on the other, gamers and spectators alike enjoy a stunning view at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club. The location adds to the tournament experience, elevating it to one of the most picturesque sites in lacrosse and a place not to miss for the best teams and players.

Needless to say, the beauty of it is that the Santa Barbara Showdown acts as a powerhouse recruitment event that Adrenaline has put together to give players unparalleled exposure.

Built around the “best-in-the-west,” Adrenaline gives college scouts the perfect platform to find those top-tier players who may not always be in the national spotlight. In highlighting Western U.S. players, the Santa Barbara Showdown is showcasing athletes who may not have as many prospects to present themselves to the top programs. With Adrenaline committed to growing the sport of lacrosse on the West Coast, this event indeed has its place in value for any serious recruit.

Events within the Showdown include naming the All-Tournament Teams, an honor determined both through coaches’ recommendations and in-field observing by members of Adrenaline. Events like these help identify emerging talent to ensure that by senior year, these athletes can become members of the Adrenaline All-American Games. Many players have risen through the system of Adrenaline ranks since tender youth, adding more meaning to their send-off at senior level.

Staffed with some of the best and brightest from the West Coast, these championship teams reflected the top talent available as well as promise in a bright future for lacrosse in the region. This event boasts a beautiful venue with the world’s best elite competition as well as opportunities unique for recruiting, keeping Santa Barbara Showdown at an absolute must-stop in making any meaningful impact in your journey as a lacrosse player.

2024 Santa Barbara Showdown Bracket Winners

Boys Brackets

• 2025A – LALC Elite
• 2026A – Berserkers 2026
• 2028A – Cali Gold 2028
• 2029A – NorCal Alcatraz Outlaws 2029
• 2031A – Alcatraz Outlaws 2031

Girls Brackets

• Elite – Arc 2025
• HSAA – Arc 2026
• HSA – Coast 2026
• 2027 – Arc 2027
• 2028AA – Mad Dog West Elite 2028
• 2028A – Vortex Elite 2028
• 2029 – STEPS California 2029
• 2030 – Coast 2030
• 2031 – Mad Dog West Elite 2031
• 2032 – STEPS California 2032/2033
• 2033 – Team 91 CO 2033 Fire

Beyond the competition and recruiting opportunities, the Santa Barbara Showdown also builds a strong sense of community and tradition within the lacrosse world. Adrenaline’s commitment to this event goes beyond individual achievements; it’s about fostering a network that connects players, coaches, and fans alike. For many of these athletes, the Showdown isn’t just a tournament, but a stepping stone and a chance to meet others who share the same passion for the game. Year after year, this event has become a place where lifelong friendships and rivalries are formed, contributing to a legacy that stretches far beyond the field.

Take a look at some action shots from the weekend!

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SPIRE Academy is proud to celebrate the lacrosse program’s extremely successful inaugural season, where the team made it to the MSLA C Bracket Championship game. This is a remarkable achievement, especially for a new team. Led by dedicated coaches and staff, SPIRE’s Lacrosse program effectively blends diverse talents while building a culture dedicated to excellence.

Lacrosse Head Coach JD Harkey recently shared some insights into the team’s progress so far. He emphasized the importance of mental fortitude, attitude and communication in developing elite student athletes. Working closely with Zac Bruback, Director of Mindset Development, Coach Harkey highlighted the significance of having a strong mental approach in order for the team to achieve physical success. He praised Assistant Coach Nakeie Montgomery for his detail-oriented coaching style and dedication to helping players excel on and off the field. “He is a tough coach [in his own right]. [We both] acknowledge that there’s no singular right way of doing something, but he will take the time to dissect the situation and explain why there may be a better way. He currently plays at a high level himself…I wanted somebody that our athletes can look towards as somebody that’s been in their shoes relatively recently.”

Assistant Coach Montgomery, a prominent figure in the lacrosse community, expressed his enthusiasm for being part of the SPIRE family. He told us, “I want us to be the best team in Ohio. No doubt we want to be the best program in the state, but we want to be able to compete nationally.” With a focus on player development and team cohesion, he aims to position the academy as a leading contender in Ohio and beyond. He also highlighted the important role that the school’s summer camps play in recruiting talented athletes and showcasing SPIRE’s phenomenal offerings, saying, “Our camps are great. If you come to our fields in the summer, you’ll see a bunch of the best coaches and just the best lacrosse players come out here for it.”

SPIRE is also privileged to have Kyle Harrison, a distinguished SPIRE ambassador and National Lacrosse Hall of Fame inductee, involved in the program. Harrison’s extensive experience means that he brings a wealth of knowledge and inspiration to the team. Coach Harkey remarks, “He’s a mentor to me. He’s not somebody that I’m calling on weekly, but I’ve definitely brought him in and asked him for advice throughout the year. Advice for myself, advice for the team, etc. I wouldn’t even be here without him.”

In a recent interview, Coach Harkey elaborated on how SPIRE’s new lacrosse program is preparing student athletes for collegiate play. He emphasized the importance of skill development, teamwork and self discipline in shaping well-rounded athletes ready for the next level of competition. Harkey himself went from playing for the UMBC Retrievers to coaching at the University of South Carolina and eventually at SPIRE, showcasing his deep commitment to the sport and player development. “There’s a handful of things that we’ve done this year and I intended to do year over year. One is having an opponent that requires us to get on a plane and fly to them. There are small skills built into that, it’s not just fun trip with the team…you have to figure out as an individual how to handle your emotions while traveling, how to handle sleeping [on the road], nutrition – ‘Am I packing snacks for myself that are appropriate to prepare me to be an effective athlete?’, school work (being honest with yourself) – ‘I’m not super effective doing work on the road…I’m going to be more proactive about getting work done before we even leave.’…all those things are imperative as a college student athlete.” There is truth to the process, as senior Camden Moody made history as the first lacrosse player to commit to a university to play collegiately – he will be attending Limestone University to continue developing what he has learned at SPIRE.

Furthermore, SPIRE places a strong emphasis on cultural diversity, with Coach Harkey championing a diverse and inclusive environment. He highlighted the school’s commitment to fostering a multicultural perspective and providing student athletes with a global outlook on the sport and their place in the world. This dedication to diversity extends beyond the playing field and is focused on ensuring diversity within the coaching staff and the broader community at SPIRE. Harkey told us, “Our school as a whole is pretty diverse. I want to keep building on that. I was adamant about making sure that we had diversity in the coaching staff and diversity in the adult community for all the students to look up to.” The SPIRE Lacrosse program stands out for its commitment to diversity and multiculturalism, providing its student athletes with a global perspective on the sport and their place in the world. The coaching staff and the teachers at SPIRE all work hard to prepare these student athletes for college both athletically and academically.

As the team finishes up its outstanding inaugural season, it’s creating a supportive and competitive atmosphere where the athletes can work hard and reach their full potential. With a strong emphasis on teamwork, skill development and cultural awareness, SPIRE’s Lacrosse program is gearing up to leave an outstanding impression for years to come.

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LaxAllStars is headed back to its roots and will be publishing a weekly MCLA lacrosse poll, Presented by Axia Time. Stay tuned as we dive into club lacrosse this season! 

MCLA1 

What changed this week? Strong performances by Colorado and Tennessee provided a springboard into the top 10. Mounting losses by Utah Valley and South Carolina sees them both bumped out for the first time this season. VT losing to Tennessee (12-11) has them slipping from 2 to 4.

1. BYU (12-0)

2. Texas (13-0) 

3. Chapman (11-2) 

4. Virginia Tech (12-2) 

5. Liberty (10-4) 

6. UC Santa Barbara (8-2)

7. San Diego State (12-1)

8. Georgia Tech (10-3) 

9. Colorado (7-4)  

10. Tennessee (10-1)  

MCLA 2 

What changed? UNC Charlotte’s lopsided loss to GVSU has them slip to ten and on the brink of exiting the top 10 for the first time this season. The lakers continue to dominate headed into the postseason, do they have what it takes to earn the national title?

1. Air Force Academy (7-0) 

2. Grand Valley State Univ (13-0) 

3. Univ. Rhode Island (10-1) 

4. Montana State (13-1) 

5. St. Thomas (MN) (12-2) 

6. Kennesaw State (10-2) 

7. Coastal Carolina (10-1) 

8. Florida Atlantic (12-2) 

9. Cal State San Marcos (7-3) 

10. UNC Charlotte (12-3) 

About Axia Time: 

AXIA (pronounced ax-EE-ah) means value/worth in Greek and our name is at the heart of our values. Our goal is to exceed expectations in everything we do. From our designs and quality of the components we use, to the purchase experience of our customers, our intention is to treat you exactly the way we would want to be treated if we were in your shoes. Maybe better. 

Lacrosse All Stars - Grow The Game® Powered by Fivestar

LaxAllStars is headed back to its roots and will be publishing a weekly MCLA lacrosse poll, Presented by Axia Time. Stay tuned as we dive into club lacrosse this season! 

MCLA1 

What changed this week? A 12-11 loss to Northeastern has South Carolina move down two spots, the loss was cushioned by a 16-9 victory over Boston College.

1. BYU (9-0)

2. Virginia Tech (12-1) 

3. Texas (12-0) 

4. Utah Valley (6-2)  

5. Chapman (10-2) 

6. Liberty (9-4) 

7. UC Santa Barbara (7-2)

8. San Diego State (11-1)

9. South Carolina (9-3)  

10. Georgia Tech (10-3) 

MCLA 2 

What changed? Three big wins by GVSU have them at #1 in the coaches poll and #2 in our poll. That isn’t a slight to them but Air Force keeps the #1 spot for now. Dayton drops out with losses mounting as we welcome Cal State San Marcos to the party. St.Thomas drops a few close games against highly ranked teams and slides to 5th.

1. Air Force Academy (7-0) 

2. Grand Valley State Univ (9-0) 

3. Univ. Rhode Island (8-1) 

4. Montana State (11-1) 

5. St. Thomas (MN) (11-2) 

6. Kennesaw State (10-2) 

7. UNC Charlotte (10-1) 

8. Coastal Carolina (10-1) 

9. Florida Atlantic (12-2) 

10. Cal State San Marcos (6-3) 

About Axia Time: 

AXIA (pronounced ax-EE-ah) means value/worth in Greek and our name is at the heart of our values. Our goal is to exceed expectations in everything we do. From our designs and quality of the components we use, to the purchase experience of our customers, our intention is to treat you exactly the way we would want to be treated if we were in your shoes. Maybe better. 

Lacrosse All Stars - Grow The Game® Powered by Fivestar

LaxAllStars is headed back to its roots and will be publishing a weekly MCLA lacrosse poll, Presented by Axia Time. Stay tuned as we dive into club lacrosse this season! 

MCLA1 

What changed this week? The big news this week was San Diego State’s loss to Arizona State 8-5. BYU and Texas are the lone undefeated teams at the top of Division 1.

1. BYU (9-0)

2. Virginia Tech (11-1) 

3. Texas (11-0) 

4. Utah Valley (6-2)  

5. Chapman (10-2) 

6. Liberty (8-4) 

7. South Carolina (8-2)  

8. UC Santa Barbara (6-2)

9. San Diego State (11-1)

10. Georgia Tech (9-3) 

MCLA 2 

What changed? Nothing. We’re all waiting on Dayton to play another game to see if they’re deserving of this longstanding 10th rank.

1. Air Force Academy (7-0) 

2. St. Thomas (MN) (9-0) 

3. Grand Valley State Univ (6-0) 

4. Montana State (10-1) 

5. Univ. Rhode Island (6-0) 

6. Kennesaw State (10-2) 

7. UNC Charlotte (9-1) 

8. Coastal Carolina (8-1) 

9. Florida Atlantic (11-2) 

10. Dayton (2-3) 

About Axia Time: 

AXIA (pronounced ax-EE-ah) means value/worth in Greek and our name is at the heart of our values. Our goal is to exceed expectations in everything we do. From our designs and quality of the components we use, to the purchase experience of our customers, our intention is to treat you exactly the way we would want to be treated if we were in your shoes. Maybe better. 

Lacrosse All Stars - Grow The Game® Powered by Fivestar

LaxAllStars is headed back to its roots and will be publishing a weekly MCLA lacrosse poll, Presented by Axia Time. Stay tuned as we dive into club lacrosse this season! 

MCLA1 

What changed this week? The biggest tilt of the week featured Utah Valley and Virginia Tech, a game in which the Hokies prevailed 17-10. A convincing win launches VT into second in the poll.

1. BYU (8-0)

2. Virginia Tech (10-1) 

3. Texas (10-0) 

4. Utah Valley (6-2)  

5. Chapman (8-2) 

6. San Diego State (10-0)

7. Liberty (8-4) 

8. Georgia Tech (9-2) 

9. South Carolina (7-2)  

10. UC Santa Barbara (6-2)

MCLA 2 

What changed? Kennesaw State shakes things up as they dispatched UNC Charlotte 17-14. The Flyers stay at ten despite three losses, with two of those losses coming to ranked teams by a total of 4 goals.

1. Air Force Academy (7-0) 

2. St. Thomas (MN) (9-0) 

3. Grand Valley State Univ (4-0) 

4. Montana State (8-1) 

5. Univ. Rhode Island (5-0) 

6. Kennesaw State (9-2) 

7. UNC Charlotte (9-1) 

8. Coastal Carolina (8-1) 

9. Florida Atlantic (10-2) 

10. Dayton (2-3) 

About Axia Time: 

AXIA (pronounced ax-EE-ah) means value/worth in Greek and our name is at the heart of our values. Our goal is to exceed expectations in everything we do. From our designs and quality of the components we use, to the purchase experience of our customers, our intention is to treat you exactly the way we would want to be treated if we were in your shoes. Maybe better. 

Lacrosse All Stars - Grow The Game® Powered by Fivestar

LaxAllStars is headed back to its roots and will be publishing a weekly MCLA lacrosse poll, Presented by Axia Time. Stay tuned as we dive into club lacrosse this season! 

MCLA1 

What changed this week? Chapman dropped a tight one to Utah Valley 6-5, BYU tops Liberty 14-12, the Gauchos make their first appearance.

1. BYU (6-0)

2. Utah Valley (6-0)  

3. Texas (9-0) 

4. Chapman (7-1) 

5. Virginia Tech (8-1) 

6. San Diego State (9-0)

7. Liberty (7-3) 

8. Georgia Tech (9-2) 

9. South Carolina (6-2)  

10. UC Santa Barbara (4-2)

MCLA 2 

What changed? The top continues to win, but all eyes will be on St.Thomas in April as they play 3 top 10 teams in three days. Dayton is hanging on by a thread but has two opportunities to impress this weekend against Florida Atlantic and Minnesota-Duluth.

1. Air Force Academy (7-0) 

2. St. Thomas (MN) (9-0) 

3. Grand Valley State Univ (3-0) 

4. UNC Charlotte (8-0) 

5. Montana State (6-1) 

6. Univ. Rhode Island (4-0) 

7. Coastal Carolina (7-1) 

8. Florida Atlantic (7-2) 

9. Kennesaw State (6-2) 

10. Dayton (1-2) 

About Axia Time: 

AXIA (pronounced ax-EE-ah) means value/worth in Greek and our name is at the heart of our values. Our goal is to exceed expectations in everything we do. From our designs and quality of the components we use, to the purchase experience of our customers, our intention is to treat you exactly the way we would want to be treated if we were in your shoes. Maybe better. 

Lacrosse All Stars - Grow The Game® Powered by Fivestar

LaxAllStars is headed back to its roots and will be publishing a weekly MCLA lacrosse poll, Presented by Axia Time. Stay tuned as we dive into club lacrosse this season! 

MCLA1 

What changed this week? Georgia Tech loses two in a row while Texas surges up the poll at 9-0. Florida State is hanging on by a thread going 1-1 since last weeks poll. California on the bubble.

1. Georgia Tech (8-0) 

2. Chapman (5-0) 

3. Utah Valley (4-0)  

4. BYU (2-0)

5. Virginia Tech (7-1) 

6. Liberty (4-2) 

7. South Carolina (4-2)  

8. San Diego State (6-0)

9. Texas (6-0) 

10. Florida State (6-1) 

MCLA 2 

What changed? Nothing. A pedestrian week in D2 as teams do exactly as they should, win.

1. Air Force Academy (6-0) 

2. St. Thomas (MN) (7-0) 

3. Grand Valley State Univ (2-0) 

4. UNC Charlotte (6-0) 

5. Montana State (4-1) 

6. Univ. Rhode Island (3-0) 

7. Montana (1-1) 

8. Florida Atlantic (6-2) 

9. Coastal Carolina (5-1) 

10. Dayton (1-2) 

About Axia Time: 

AXIA (pronounced ax-EE-ah) means value/worth in Greek and our name is at the heart of our values. Our goal is to exceed expectations in everything we do. From our designs and quality of the components we use, to the purchase experience of our customers, our intention is to treat you exactly the way we would want to be treated if we were in your shoes. Maybe better. 

Lacrosse All Stars - Grow The Game® Powered by Fivestar

LaxAllStars is headed back to its roots and will be publishing a weekly MCLA lacrosse poll, Presented by Axia Time. Stay tuned as we dive into club lacrosse this season! 

MCLA1 

What changed this week? Northeastern dropped 3 games in 3 days and moves outside of our top 10. San Diego State storms their way into the rankings at 6-0. Virginia Tech drops a Monday night game to Colorado (15-12).

1. Georgia Tech (8-0) 

2. Chapman (5-0) 

3. Utah Valley (4-0)  

4. BYU (2-0)

5. Virginia Tech (7-1) 

6. Liberty (4-2) 

7. South Carolina (4-2)  

8. San Diego State (6-0)

9. Texas (6-0) 

10. Florida State (6-1) 

MCLA 2 

What changed? The big mover this week was Dayton that finally kicked off their season and went 1-2. We don’t want to overreact but a course correction is definitely needed. The flyers move to 10 for now but the next few games will be extremely telling. Coastal Carolina is rolling knocking off Dayton and Kennesaw State, and their only loss is by 1 goal to #4 UNC Charlotte.

1. Air Force Academy (6-0) 

2. St. Thomas (MN) (7-0) 

3. Grand Valley State Univ (2-0) 

4. UNC Charlotte (6-0) 

5. Montana State (4-1) 

6. Univ. Rhode Island (3-0) 

7. Montana (1-1) 

8. Florida Atlantic (6-2) 

9. Coastal Carolina (5-1) 

10. Dayton (1-2) 

About Axia Time: 

AXIA (pronounced ax-EE-ah) means value/worth in Greek and our name is at the heart of our values. Our goal is to exceed expectations in everything we do. From our designs and quality of the components we use, to the purchase experience of our customers, our intention is to treat you exactly the way we would want to be treated if we were in your shoes. Maybe better. 

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The lacrosse season is officially upon us and we’re looking forward to bringing you our three favorite bets each week. We aren’t affiliated with any sportsbook or gambling website but we will be using lines sourced from DraftKings. Without further adieu, my week 4 picks:

Le Moyne vs Denver (ML: Under 23.5)

In a lopsided matchup I doubt the Dolphins will score more than 5 goals. That puts a ton of pressure on the Denver O to get enough points to hit the over. My prediction is that Denver jumps out to a nice lead before half and coasts to the finish line going deep into the bench. Scoring will slow down as the game goes on as the Pio’s play backups and the Dolphins keep their primary defense on the field.

Army (-6.5) vs Lafayette

After a stunning overtime win in the dome, the Black Knights are flying into this game with all of the confidence in the world. I expect them to play with a chip on their shoulder, eager to prove to the lacrosse world that beating Syracuse was no fluke.

High Point vs Syracuse (ML: Under 28)

28 is a huge number in college lacrosse and while I think there will be plenty of scoring in this one, I dont think the High Point defense will be able to breath, their offense won’t get many possessions, and Syracuse should dominate possession. With this being a one-sided affair, I dont think we’ll be able to get to that 28 mark.

Lacrosse All Stars - Grow The Game® Powered by Fivestar

LaxAllStars is headed back to its roots and will be publishing a weekly MCLA lacrosse poll, Presented by Axia Time. Stay tuned as we dive into club lacrosse this season! 

MCLA1 

What changed this week? The main change this week is that South Carolina dropped two games, they only slipped 3 spots because of the quality of those losses (Virginia Tech 7-8 and Liberty 8-11). Northeastern enters our top 10 with the Simon Fraser loss and another solid win. The game to watch this week is Northeaster against Utah Valley on 3/2.

1. Virginia Tech (5-0) 

2. Georgia Tech (6-0) 

3. Chapman (3-0) 

4. Liberty (2-1) 

5. Utah Valley (2-0)  

6. BYU 

7. South Carolina (4-2)  

8. Florida State (5-1) 

9. Texas (5-0) 

10. Northeastern (2-1)

MCLA 2 

What changed? Montana State dropped a tight one to St.Thomas 12-13 and slips a few spots while the top of the poll remains the same due to more wins. Montana loses to St.Thomas by six but follows that up with a nice 10-6 win over Minnesota Duluth.

1. Dayton (0-0) 

2. St. Thomas (MN) (4-0) 

3. Air Force Academy (4-0) 

4. Grand Valley State Univ (2-0) 

5. Univ. Rhode Island (0-0) 

6. UNC Charlotte (5-0) 

7. Kennesaw State (5-1) 

8. UC San Diego (3-1) 

9. Montana State (4-1) 

10. Montana (1-1) 

About Axia Time: 

AXIA (pronounced ax-EE-ah) means value/worth in Greek and our name is at the heart of our values. Our goal is to exceed expectations in everything we do. From our designs and quality of the components we use, to the purchase experience of our customers, our intention is to treat you exactly the way we would want to be treated if we were in your shoes. Maybe better. 

Lacrosse All Stars - Grow The Game® Powered by Fivestar

The lacrosse season is officially upon us and we’re looking forward to bringing you our three favorite bets each week. We aren’t affiliated with any sportsbook or gambling website but we will be using lines sourced from DraftKings. Without further adieu, my week 3 picks:

Loyola (-1.5) vs Rutgers

I expect this one to be tight until the very end but to be honest I just haven’t been impressed with Rutgers this season. Yes they are 2-1 narrowly escaping Lehigh and beating Stony Brook by four, but they have yet to truly look impressive. Meanwhile Loyola smashed Georgetown and was competitive with two top-10 teams. Giving the edge to the Greyhounds today.

Michigan (-4) vs Marquette

After a tough loss to Virginia Michigan has been terrorizing the easier part of their schedule. Marquette, similarly, dominated three subpar teams before losing to #1 Notre Dame. Michigan has the offensive depth to really stretch that Marquette D and should have an advantage at faceoff. If the Wolverine midfielders can score 4-6 goals this should be an easy cover for the boys in blue.

Virginia (-7.5) vs Ohio State

The Cavaliers are an unstoppable force with no clear weaknesses. Meanwhile the Buckeyes are 4-0 but lack a marquee win. I’m concerned that Buckeyes will be able to score enough to be remotely competitive and on the other end I dont think they have the defensive depth to handle Virginia.

Lacrosse All Stars - Grow The Game® Powered by Fivestar

LaxAllStars is headed back to its roots and will be publishing a weekly MCLA lacrosse poll, Presented by Axia Time. Stay tuned as we dive into club lacrosse this season! 

MCLA1 

1.Virginia Tech (4-0) 

Coach Ojeda has the boys rolling early with wins over ECU, James Madison, Flordia, and Northeastern. Is this the year the Hokies go all the way? 

2.Georgia Tech (5-0) 

  A mainstay in the MCLA, GT looks sharp early and shows no signs of slowing down. Their attack trip of Baro, Quarles, and Rose have already combined  

3. Chapman (1-0) 

They survived an early test against California, the jury is still out.  

4. South Carolina (4-0) 

Preseason number 12 moves up in our poll and gets rewarded for winning four games against solid competition.  A huge weekend with VT and Liberty are on deck, if they survive they’ll be #1 next week.  

5. Liberty (1-1) 

A tough loss to a good northeastern squad, was it a fluke? We’ll find out this weekend as they play VT and South Carolina. 

6. Utah Valley (0-0) 

Has yet to play a game  

7. BYU 

Has yet to play a game 

8. Florida State (3-1) 

Three quality wins with their only loss to South Carolina 14-7, the Seminoles are primed for a tournament run.  

9. Simon Fraser 

Has yet to play a game 

10. Texas (3-0) 

Climbing the poll early with three consecutive wins, we won’t know how good this Texas team is until the schedule ramps up in March. 

MCLA 2 

1. Dayton (0-0) 

Has yet to play a game, remains 1 until proven otherwise. 

2. St. Thomas (MN) (2-0) 

Two solid wins against Iowa State and Minnesota but the real tests are this weekend with Montana and Montana State. 

3. Air Force Academy (3-0) 

Three wins without a real test in site, could this be a 9-0 season?  

4. Grand Valley State Univ (0-0) 

Has yet to play a game 

5. Univ. Rhode Island (0-0) 

Has yet to play a game 

6. UNC Charlotte (4-0) 

Off to a hot start with no end in sight. A big weekend in April looms ahead. 

7. Montana State (3-0) 

All eyes are on the St. Thomas matchup this Sunday!  

8. Montana (0-0) 

Has yet to play a game 

9. Kennesaw State (4-1) 

A tough loss to Auburn followed by 4 consecutive wins. Only time will tell how good the Owls really are. 

10. UC San Diego (2-1) 

Two wins and the only loss is to #7 Montana State, the schedule only gets easier forom here on out.  

About Axia Time: 

AXIA (pronounced ax-EE-ah) means value/worth in Greek and our name is at the heart of our values. Our goal is to exceed expectations in everything we do. From our designs and quality of the components we use, to the purchase experience of our customers, our intention is to treat you exactly the way we would want to be treated if we were in your shoes. Maybe better. 

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The lacrosse season is officially upon us and we’re looking forward to bringing you our three favorite bets each week. We aren’t affiliated with any sportsbook or gambling website but we will be using lines sourced from DraftKings. Without further adieu, my week 1 picks:

Georgetown vs Hopkins (-1.5)

To be brutally honest, I didn’t think Georgetown looked very good in their season opener. Comparing that performance with how Hopkins rebounded against Towson after the late game mistakes against Denver, and I’m very comfortable betting on Hopkins to cover this week.

Duke vs High Point (ML:28.5)

It’s a little early in the season to consider stats to be a strong indicator of offensive output but I find it hard to believe that these teams will reach the 29 point mark. Duke, fresh off of a 20-12 win certainly has the firepower to put up huge numbers, but High Point may be a little more prepared than Bellarmine who hadn’t had a preseason scrimmage leading into last weeks game. Additionally, High Point won their game against Mercer 14-7 with a really slow start. This could be a game where the Duke offense and defense shine. I’m happy betting the under.

Lindenwood v Marquette (ML: 23.5)

Continuing with our theme of following Marquette, we think this could be a high scoring one sided affair. I’m thinking 18-6 or 18-7 final. The Golden Eagles are flying high after that Air Force victory last week and the offense should continue to improve as they find their stride. Lets ride the over!

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The lacrosse season is officially upon us and we’re looking forward to bringing you our three favorite bets each week. We aren’t affiliated with any sportsbook or gambling website but we will be using lines sourced from DraftKings. Without further adieu, my week 1 picks:

Week 1 Bets

Marquette (-1.5) vs Air Force

Marquette is a sleeping giant this season and I think they come into this game with a giant chip on their shoulder. “The Golden Eagles return a veteran core with a combined 24 seniors and graduate students”, expect these guys to hit the ground running.

The Falcons lost their top two scorers (Grandolfo and Dodd) and that type of scoring (119 points) wont be easy to replace. There’s no doubt they have talent but I think it will take a few weeks before that offense finds its new identity and puts up meaningful numbers.

We’re all over Marquette -1.5 this week.

Utah (+2.5) vs Ohio State

This game is a virtual toss up. As usual Ohio State has some incredible returners but they lost talent in major positions, only time will tell if the new faces (transfers/freshmen) will step up and fill the void at faceoff and goalie. The Buckeyes have won 7 straight home openers and I’m not saying they wont win Saturday, but I think there’s a great chance that this one goes down to the wire and the high scoring offenses that Coach McMinn has cultivated gives the Utes a chance to not only cover but win. At +2.5 we like the Utes.

Georgetown vs Loyola (ML/ Under 24.5)

You cant ask for better weather than 50 degrees and sunny for a February 2nd game so weather is a non factor. With any early season game I typically lean toward the under since defenses usually click faster than offenses, stick skills aren’t as tight, and coaches are still experimenting with lineups and substitution patterns. I have a feeling we’ll see a good dose of zone from one of these teams further slowing the game down. Expect to see long possessions that make full use of the shot clock and the usual early season sloppiness (think 40 plus turnovers in this game). For all of these reasons I’m betting the UNDER at 24.5.

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From ESPN press release:

• Regular-season schedule features 22 games between preseason ranked teams
• 14 of top 20 preseason ranked teams will be showcased on ESPN platforms
• Top-ranked and defending champion Notre Dame faces No. 2 Duke in rematch of 2023 National Championship, April 7 on ACC Network

ESPN will present more than 280 men’s college lacrosse games during the 2024 season across ESPNU, ACC Network (ACCN), ESPN3, ESPN+ and ACCNX along with nearly 260 additional games will be available on ESPN+, ESPN3 and ACCNX via the ESPN App.

In the Booth

Anish Shroff, Jay Alter, Drew Carter, Chris Cotter and Mark Dixon will handle pxp while analysts include: Ryan Boyle, Paul Carcaterra, Jules Heningburg, Quint Kessenich, Sheehan Stanwick Burch, Bill Tierney, and Matt Ward. 

2024 Postseason and NCAA Championship:

The postseason on ESPN platforms begins Friday, May 3 with the Ivy League Championship semifinals and ACC Championship semifinals airing on ESPNU and ACCN. The ACC Championship marks the first time the ACC is holding a conference tournament since 2019. ESPNU will also carry the America East, MAAC and Ivy League conference championship games May 4-5 and the ACC Championship match will air on ACCN on May 5.

ESPN will once again provide exclusive coverage of the entire NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship. Championship Weekend at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia is set for May 25-27. Coverage details will be announced later this season. The 2023 NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Championship Game – 757,000 viewers for Notre Dame-Duke – was the most-viewed title game since 2007. The semifinals were also the most-watched since 2010 – with viewership up 45 percent.

2024 Men’s College Lacrosse Schedule on ESPN Platforms:

Rankings based on the USA Lacrosse Magazine Preseason Top 20

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Fresh off a 2-13 season, the Cardinals are ready to show the lacrosse world they’re for real.

Coach Profile

• 12th year coaching; 2nd year at Plattsburgh
• A graduate of SUNY Oneonta, Darry Thornton has coached at nearly every level of college lacrosse.

Team Captains

• Dan Clements (Senior-Goalie-Putnam Valley, NY)
• Cameron Morin (Senior-Midfield-Raynham, MA)
• Logan Vilardi (Junior-Midfield-West Babylon, NY)

Lessons learned from last year

Just showing up won’t get it done.  We have to continually put in work, grow and get better.  Laying the foundation starts after memorial day weekend and goes for appx 271 days.  During that time, how we have prepared emotionally, mentally and physically will dictate whether we take that next step achieving the goals we set forth in the offseason.

Offseason Happenings

On the field we had our alumni scrimmage in early October and then closed with a scrimmage against Herkimer College and SUNY Poly.  Off the field, we have been involved with numerous community service projects including, but not limited to Downtown Trick or Treat, Plattsburgh Holiday Parade, JCEO Senior Outreach, amongst others.  Our young men are giving back and will continue to do so.

New players: Freshmen Jamie Gipe (Midfield-Baldwinsville, NY); Dylan Irvine (Attack-Ogdensburg, NY); Cole Orehosky (Goalie-Hauppauge, NY) Fynnian Whitlock (Defense-Middlebury, VT; High School All-American)

Players to watch: Jon Eiseman (Senior-Attack-Farmingville, NY); Logan Jones (Senior-Midfield-Bayport, NY); Mike Walsh (Junior-Attack-Westchester, NY)

Recruiting Plug

“Lacrosse alumni network that works with and helps you attain the career of your choice after graduation; Athletes only weight room; Indoor Turf Facility; The actual investment in you as a student as well as an athlete both on and off the lacrosse field.  A true all encompassing experience in a great college city as opposed to being in a town where a college is located.”

Team Motto

ACE (Accountability, Communication, Effort) for all things on and off the field.  We have to hold each other to a specific standard which we have strayed from in recent years.  Whether it is in the classroom, on the playing field, in the weight room or out socially. ACE is a way of life.

Recruiting Video

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A whirlwind finish to the week saw two institutions announce plans to discontinue their men’s lacrosse programs. The end of the 2023-2024 school year will be the last season for Lindenwood and St. Rose. The College of St. Rose announced on Thursday that they would be closing at the end of the school year. This brings their time as a DII program to an end. While the announcement was shocking to many, it is part of a growing trend in higher education where colleges and universities have been closing at an alarming rate.

The loss of St. Rose deals a blow to the NE-10 conference. The conference has seen LeMoyne and Merrimack leave in recent years to move up to Division I. The announcement came out of the blue to many. The program recently signed a significant 2024 recruiting class during the November signing period. “It is with a heavy heart that the Board decided to close the college at the end of this academic year,” Board Chair Jeffrey D. Stone said.  The Board determined that the College does not have the financial resources to operate for the full 2024-2025 academic year and therefore cannot remain a standalone institution.”

St. Rose to Close

Like many small, private higher-education institutions in the Northeast, the College has struggled to manage operating expenses in the face of declining enrollment caused by both a shrinking pool of high school graduates and the prolonged negative impact of COVID-19, said Stone.

“We are devastated that despite all our efforts we were unable to avoid closure,” Stone said. “Our goal now is to ease the transition for our students, faculty, and staff.”

On Friday Lindenwood University announced that Men’s Lacrosse would be among ten sports no longer be offered after the 2024 season. The announcement sent shockwaves through the lacrosse community as Lindenwood just completed their first season as a Division I program after a highly successful run at the Division II level. The timing is puzzling especially after the administration initially said it had no intention of cutting any sports.

Lindenwood to Drop

“Today, and for the near future, it will be challenging as the decision to better align our athletics department with our peers also results in many of our student-athletes learning that they will no longer be able to compete in the sport they love while at Lindenwood,” said Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Jason Coomer. “As an Athletics Director, this is not a decision you ever want to have to make. Unfortunately, it is critical for the long-term sustainability of the department. I understand there will be considerable hurt felt by the ten teams impacted as well as by our staff and coaches.”

While many are searching for answers, the ones this effect most are the current players, coaches, and alumni. Many feel this was a decision made to prioritize other sports such as football, basketball, and Ice Hockey. From an all sports standpoint Lindenwood is in the OVC. With the lacrosse program being in the ASUN may have something to do with the decision.

On paper this decision doesn’t make a lot of sense. Lacrosse often has a larger roster that brings in more tuition dollars as opposed to how much it gives out from a scholarship standpoint. Lindenwood as an institution is tuition dependent so to see them cut ten sports is very puzzling. If the plan was to do this the entire time, why even transition to Division I?

Lindenwood has been a staple in the greater St. Louis lacrosse community for years. This announcement is a huge blow to the game in so many ways. One must think that their success helped schools like Rockhurst and Maryville decide to add lacrosse.

With the Transfer Portal opening up December 1^st and the IMLCA convention in a week, it will be a mad dash for athletes from both schools to try and find homes mid-year if they choose to leave at break.

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Fresh off of a 18-3 season, the Stevens Ducks are primed for another NCAA tournament run. Coach Peluso is hungry to build off of 2023 and we expect big things this year!

Team Profile

• Ranked as high as #2 in the Country.
• Stevens is a perennial top 10-15 Program in the Country. 
• List of Majors
• 55 All American in last 14 years.
• 44 Academic All Americans in Last 14 years.
• Record of 183-65 in last 14 years.

2024 Schedule

Coach Profile

Gene Peluso

• 28 total years as Head Coach
• 15th year at Stevens

Inside the Program

Team Motto: How we do anything is how we do everything!

Captains for the upcoming season are David Bendis, Bryan Creamer, Keegan Hughes, Joe Grippo.

Lessons learned from last season? We believe each game deserves its own focus, past or future games don’t matter.

Notable activities from the fall: Successful play-day (For Schambach Strong Charity) vs Scranton and Swarthmore and a great alumni game.

Incoming players of note (freshmen, transfers, etc.) – 

• D1 graduate transfers: Chris Kirschner – (M – Marquette), Kevin Holtby – (G – Hobart) and Sam DiChristina – (LSM- Siena)
• First Year Luke Cifuentes (D – Bridgewater- Raritan HS, NJ, All American)

Returners to Watch

• Returning All-American Bryan Creamer -SSDM
• Keegan Hughes – Midfield
• Matt Pergola – Attack
• Jack Savarese – Attack

Elevator Pitch:

A beautiful campus with the best view in the country, a top 1% program in the country for career placement and starting salary and the longest running lacrosse program in the NCAA (140+ consecutive years).

Stevens Lacrosse Videos Links:

• • Stevens Lacrosse, Big Win!
• • Stevens Lacrosse, Fast and Fierce
• • Stevens Defense
• • Stevens Lacrosse Highlights
• • Stevens Lacrosse, Go Time
  
  

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