Class of 2026 Names to Know in the WCAC

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With tryouts getting underway after President's Day, it's a good time to highlight a few sophomores in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference, one of two talent-laden leagues in the D.C. Metro area and a hotspot for several promising Class of 2026 recruits. Check back later this week for more on the IAC, as we'll be hitting programs like Georgetown Prep, Bullis, and Landon. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["18839"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Between senior [player_tooltip player_id='14817' first='Johnny' last='Gardiner'] (Maryland) and UNC sophomore James Matan, Gonzaga has had a five-star attackman in two of the last three recruiting cycles. It's not at all farfetched to say that Costa has that type of upside. Like Gardiner, he's a lefty who thrives above the cage, however, he saw plenty of playing time as a freshman for the Eagles and is comfortable running out of the box. Exceptionally talented and dynamic as a dodger, he's super smooth and can make things happen in a plethora of ways — off-ball, off-the-dribble, and off the ride. Costa might be most dangerous when given time and room, as he has an outstanding shot from the left-handed wing and shoots an accurate ball, often finding the top left corner. He's elusive with the ball in his stick and puts pressure on defenses with his athleticism, shiftiness, and big-time shooting ability.  Gonzaga brings a lot of offensive talent back from last year's roster, but Costa is expected to see his role increase as a sophomore under new offensive coordinator and Class of 2018 'Zaga alum Jack Myers, a former All-American and fellow lefty from Kensington, Md.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["18845"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Another highly gifted and dynamic offensive weapon, DuFour consistently impressed while showing off his well-rounded skill set as a freshman midfielder for SJC. Packing a punch despite being 5'8 and 165 pounds, DuFour has the quicks and toughness to handle contact, as well as the smarts and confidence to make exceptional plays under duress. He's able to constantly create separation thanks to a quick first step, but with his savvy off-ball work, he doesn't need the rock to be successful and can bring it from the outside. A high-energy player who was named MVP while helping DCE to a Naptown Challenge title, he seldom makes mistakes and does a great job of keeping turnovers to a minimum and sharing the ball. The post-surgery status of [player_tooltip player_id='14805' first='Ryan' last='Duenkel'] (UVA) is certainly a variable this season, but there's no doubt that DuFour will be a big piece of the puzzle at attack and/or midfield.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["18848"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"A promising talent for a rising PVI program, the skilled lefty made varsity as a freshman and has shown well on the club and showcase circuit ever since. Just below 6'0, Holland has a sturdy frame, deceptive quicks, and soft hands inside, making a living off-ball, in unsettled situations or when dodging poor approaches. He was excellent last month during his time at the NLF at IMG Futures event, making the All-Star Game and filling up the stat sheet throughout the long weekend.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["18836"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Inzer has massive shoes to fill — both literally and figuratively — after the graduation of five-star Caleb ‘Big Tasty' Fyock, a freshman starter at Ohio State. Fortunately for Wes Speaks and the Cadets, there's yet another potential star waiting in the wings for a program that has produced two consecutive All-American netminders. Widely known as ‘Rocket', Inzer has built quite the resumé on the club circuit and has received praise in D.C. lacrosse circles for possessing leadership capabilities beyond his years. On top of being a lights out ball-stopper, he's an outstanding asset in the clearing game, making quick decisions and tossing precise outlets. Although he's different from Fyock stylistically (and most goalies are), Inzer is equally capable of shutting the door in tight, often doing so with flair.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["18795"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"As a freshman, James took over the #3 jersey upon the graduation of top-ranked Class of 2022 defender Riley Figueiras (Syracuse) and looked every bit of a player capable of earning the same billing once it's all said and done. In a short time, the left-hander from Gaithersburg (Md.) became so disruptive to the point that teams had to gameplan against James and know where he was at all times, fully aware of how capable he was of providing pressure, taking the ball away, then triggering transition. A phenomenal athlete with a relentlessly active stick and motor, James was a bonafide pest last spring, routinely executing clean over-the-head checks and catching opponents slipping with trail checks. For a team that graduated as much as any team in the country, James made a significant impact and constantly ended possessions for a new-look SJC defense. He also showed tremendous poise with the ball in his stick, evading traffic and making the right passes like a seasoned veteran.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65cd13c42e6a2"} /-->