I always preface lacrosse posts by saying I don't know too much about the sport, because in all honesty I don't. I am learning, though, but not enough to give a full rundown. I'll leave that to the experts. First up, the men:
From the WaPo:
Maryland is the only unseeded team in the quarterfinals, thanks to a 7-3 victory that snapped seventh-seeded Notre Dame's 25-game home winning streak. The traveling Terrapins go to Hofstra to face the Orange, which added another threat to its potent offense in late April. The NCAA approved the junior college records of junior A Cody Jamieson, who enrolled at Syracuse in January. He had three goals and an assist in the Orange's first-round win over Siena. He'll go up against a Maryland defense coming off its best performance of the season. Junior G Brian Phipps, who had nine saves last week, appears to have seized a full-time job after being part of tandem in net for most of two seasons. [ Ed.'s note: good story on Phipps from the WT].
Interestingly, the women's lacrosse team also plays Syracuse today in the quarterfinals at noon (enter Twilight Zone theme here), only this time the tables are turned - Maryland's the #2 seed.
From the Sun:
The Terrapins blew by Colgate, 20-4, in the tournament opener and now face one of last season's top four teams. Maryland is 8-0 all time against the Orange, but a lot has changed since they last met in 2005. After helping the Terps win seven straight NCAA titles between 1995 and 2001 as an assistant coach, Gary Gait took over Syracuse last season and led it to its first final four. Maryland coach Cathy Reese played on four of those Terps title teams and faces her former coach for the first time. Both teams reflect their coaches' creative influences and high-powered attacks, Maryland ranking No. 2 in Division I in scoring offense with 16.15 goals a game and the Orange sixth with 14.4. Each team has a Tewaaraton Trophy finalist leading the way - Maryland's Caitlyn McFadden (50 goals, 31 assists) and Syracuse's Katie Rowan (49, 56). The Terps, in their 20th straight tournament appearance, are looking for their first trip to the final four since 2003.
You can also read up on revenge for UMD midfielder Dan Groot, Syracuse's star Sid Smith, and three keys to the game.
Both games are today at noon, though only the men's will be televised - they're on ESPNU.