Lax Links: 9-28-11

Breaking the links up into categories for you today, because I’m nice like that.

Conferences and Pollin’

Davenport Lacrosse

The CCLA has released its full pre-season coaches poll. Teams of note:

DIVISION I

1. Michigan State University (6)
3. Central Michigan University (17)
4. Western Michigan University (25)

DIVISION II

1. Davenport University (30)
2. Grand Valley State University (44)
5. Hope College (92)
7. Ferris State University (168)
8. Aquinas College (175)
14. Northern Michigan University (271)
15. Oakland University (273)
16. Calvin College (275)
17. Northwood University (292)
18. Siena Heights University (343)
19. University of Michigan-Dearborn (344)

CCLA D-1 is down to six teams, so I’m back to beating my drum about midwest realignment in the MCLA. On the other hand, Davenport is moving up to MCLA-1 in the Spring of 2013.

Speaking of realignment, it appears that conference shift ARMAGEDDON has (once again) died down after Texas and Oklahoma pledged to stay committed to the Big 12. That means a weakened Big East Lacrosse Conference without Syracuse, but we’re unlikely to see any seismic shifts that could affect the lacrosse landscape.

Recruiting

ESPN’s rundown of the top 25 seniors at each position has come to an end today with the Attack entry. Michigan-bound Brendan Gaughan is the #7 attack in the country, according to ESPN Rise:

Gaughan is big, strong attackman and has helped put West Coast lacrosse on the map. The future Wolverine earned a slew of honors in 2011: ESPNHS All-American, All-CIF, All-Conference, California Gold All Star ’10 and ’11. Last season Gaughan scored 79 Points on 48 goals and 31 assists. For his career he has 160 Points (100 Goals, 60 Assists).

I’m a little surprised not to see his fellow future Wolverine (and another non-hotbed guy) Will Perkins on the list as well, but that’s probably why I’m not a lacrosse recruiting expert.

Michigan has picked up its second commitment (to my knowledge) of the junior class in La Salle (Pa.) defender Stefan Bergman. I’ve gotten really far behind in Hello posts (thankfully, there haven’t been as many commitments lately), but I hope to catch up as soon as possible.

Inside Lacrosse touches on Bergman and also brings news of another big-time commit. PA G Robbie Zonino out of Conestoga has committed to Michigan. He is IL’s #35 junior prospect nationally, and is the third commit (that I’m aware of) in the 2013 crop.

IL has also confirmed the 2012 commitment of CA A Michael Hernandez (sorry for the delay on this link; IL’s newsfeed has some sort of error). Profile post coming when I get a chance – I’ll prioritize 2012 posts before 2013 posts.

Cranbrook goalie Ryan Clair has committed to D-3 Colorado College.

Tinity (Ky.) High School’s coach Pete Schroeder will be the headman for the NALL Kentucky Stickhorses. The Michigan connection? One of his high school players, Brad Lott, is a faceoff specialist headed to UM.

The Detroit women picked up an Ohio midfielder in Morgan Miller.

Michigan Men

Lacrosse Magazine’s Corey McLaughlin was in Ann Arbor earlier this week, and dropped a couple tidbits on the maize and blue. Most interesting tweets (to see the whole shebang, follow him on Twitter):

Just met with Michigan AD Dave Brandon. On potential new lax facility: “We’re not going to add lacrosse and put them in a tent.”

Michigan men’s schedule will include Denver, North Carolina, Loyola, Harvard, Delaware, Penn St. and of course rival Ohio St., among others.

Oddly, McLaughlin is headed out of town, though it seems like it’d make more sense to have him stick around for the Wolverines’ first-ever fall ball scrimmage(s) this weekend. Either way, interested to see what he writes about his time in Ann Arbor.

As far as scheduling, I’ve picked up a couple credible tips as to what the spring docket will entail, and McLaughlin’s tweet seems to confirm that. I’ll have more on the Michigan varsity lacrosse schedule once the whirlwind of the first varsity scrimmage weekend is past us.

Speaking of the varsity scrimmage extravaganza, I’ll have a preview of Providence up tomorrow (in slightly more detail than yesterday’s Concordia-Wisc. preview).

Michigan & Detroit Women

Inside Lacrosse met up with Michigan women’s coach Jenny Ulehla, so look for some content out of IL about the newest-newest program at Michigan. For example, this Q&A:

How would you describe the style of play you want to put on the field?Most people know me as a defensive oriented coach. I think great offense starts with spectacular defense and that different styles of defense and a strong goalie are important to the overall success of a program. I want to build a program where I can eventually do a lot of things defensively. I’m looking for quick, fast players. In the midfield you obviously want good stickwork and great speed. What I would ultimately like is to have a fast paced, attacking-from-the-defense kind of style. It may take a year or two to get there with the depth because we’re going to be starting out with so many young players.

Much more at the link, of course. Ulehla hosted her first recruit last weekend (though the Athletic Department should hook her up with some better seats).

The Detroit Women have a couple fall ball events in the next two weekends. If you’re a Pittsbugh or Cincinnati-area Titans fan, click through to check out the schedules.

Etc.

Michigan alum Pat Stansik has produced yet another “pre-gaming with Pat” video:

As always, if you have anything of interest or news tips, etc., or if you’re just lonely, you can contact me at t.w.sullivan1@gmail.com or tweet @GreatLaxState.