Two 1st Time Champs And a Repeat

Layola (MD) celebrates their first every NCAA DI Title.

The 2012 college lacrosse season came to a close today with two firsts and one very familiar ending. Layola (MD) hoisting their first every Division 1 National Championship. A first time champion rose in DII also, Dowling was victorious with their first ever Division II National Championship. And of course, Salisbury returned to their third straight national finals to claim their second consequtive crown. With 7 titles in 10 years and an undefeated record at Gillette Stadium the Salisbury Seagulls are starting to look like Tom Brady and the Patriots of the early 2000s. 

Salisbury and Layola were both carried to victory by stellar individual performances. The greyhounds Eric Lusby tallied four goals to push the game out of Marylands reach. And Sam Brandman scored a game high six goals to take the game for the seagulls, claiming the tournament's most valuable player award for himself. The Salisbury win continued a 30 game winning streak capping off a remarkable 23-0 season. 


With the collegiate season completed its now time for summer ball. Oh, and it's never too early for next years predictions. 3-peat anyone?

The Most Swaged out Teams of the Year

      College Lacrosse has reached a whole new level of swag. Last year Syracuse rocked the Nike Volt accented unis, socks and cleats. This years lineup of crazy color schemes, helmets and gear have made those look benine. With Nike, Adidas, Under Armour and Warrior each trying to one-up each other each week we get to sit by and enjoy. Here are some of this years best and worst unis, gloves, and dome pieces. 


Maryland vs Johns Hopkins, or Under Armour vs Nike
       Both companies rolled out fresh new get ups for this Maryland state rivalry showdown. Nike went with a leather throwback look with tan gloves and arm pads and a sweet old school helmet wrap. Under Armour showed their home state pride incorporating the Maryland flag into every square inch of these uniforms. 

      Black on Black.With so many combinations you may not even recognize the Tar Heels when they roll out onto the field. But believe us these unis will make an impression. 

      This year Syracuse took being the Orangemen to a whole new level, wearing solid orange and white in every combination possible. And for the first time in a while the blue returned reminiscent of 'cuse from the 90s.  They may never look the same from one game to the next but Syracuse Orange is unmistakable. 

     This year even the Ivys stepped it up too, decked out in all new attire. First up is Princeton with their Matte black helmets and trademark tiger stripes. 

    And finally with arguably the dopest lids and cleats in all of the land, University of Denver. Warrior gave them a head to toe make over in laying the famous rocky mountains in everything from their jerseys to their cleats.

Shout out to Inside Lacrosse and Playground for the majority of the pictures.

Fast Breaks: It's What Makes the Fastest Game on Two Feet Fast

Fast breaks are what make lacrosse the most exciting sport, With out them the fastest game on the two feet would just be quick (still faster than baseball). A ball carrier sprinting up the field, with the rest of the midfield on his heals, the 3 attackman have to make the most of the situation. For 5 seconds there is an offensive advantage: a four vs three. Incredibly fast ball movement and thrilling goals. This is where games are won and lost. 


There is a simple key to success, let the ball do the work. The ball moves faster than your legs, so don't dodge. Three defenders can't cover all four offense men so the faster the ball moves from one attackman to the next the more open the shot will be.

The best formation for the attackman to be in is the L. One man at the "point", which should be a few feet inside the restraining box and a few feet wider than an outside post of the goal. The remaining attackman will set up right above the goal line extended and work their way up to 5 & 5 (5 feet up and 5 feet out from the nearest goal post). In all three of the positions continue to move your feet, a motionless target is an easy target to defend. 


It all starts with the middie pushing the transition; at first be hungry for glory and go straight for the goal. Only after the defenses slides to you do you pass the ball. If you pass before the slide than the defense will be able to cover all the attackman and the advantage will be lost. The advantage relies on the defense sliding, so be patient. Space between the point attackman and the middie is crucial. If there is only 5 yards between the two the defense can guard both men. As the middie make the defensemen commit to covering you. And if he doesn't? Green light to the goal!


The next pass is where it gets tricky. The point man has to read the defense. Recognize where the slides are coming from, thats where the open man is. But being a good recipient is just as important as being a good passer. If the man guarding you slides, you are now open. But its on you too be seen. Move your feet and get into that open space. The same goes for the passer. Flat footed passing = bad passing. 


Then comes the fun part, scoring. Dont fire the shot, you are only 5 feet away. But hey, we'll save that one for another time.


Lacrosse is fast. So move fast, pass fast, and think fast. Happy scoring.