New Jersey’s Top Midfielders To Watch in the Class of 2024

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Following <a href="https://preplacrosse.com/2024/01/new-jerseys-top-attackmen-to-watch-in-the-class-of-2024/">last week's piece on the Class of 2024 attackmen</a>, here's all you need to know about the top senior middies in the state of New Jersey as they embark on one last ride. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["14841"],"_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":"Virginia is getting a special player in the 6'1 four-star middie from Chatham (N.J.) who has checked in as the No. 39 ranked player in the Class of 2024 according to Inside Lacrosse. The first thing to highlight has to be his dodging. He has great dodging skills, with the ability to use both hands with ease, combined with his high-level footwork and quickness to evade defenders and create space. He has the speed and stick skills to isolate his defender and beat him 1-on-1, often leading to a goal or an assist for Lagunowich. Also, whether spotting up or on the run down the alley, he can place the ball in the correct spot with a high rate of speed.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["14920"],"_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":"Racking up 50-plus goals in each of the three seasons, the South Jersey native is your typical do-it-all midfielder. At 6'1 and 185 pounds, the 4-star Harvard commit has the size, strength, and stamina to affect the game in several ways from either side of the field, or even from the attack position like he was in club ball with LI Legacy. Offensively, whether inverted at X or going 1-on-1 from up top, Grimley can use his speed and quick change of direction to blow past defenders with either hand. One of the best parts about his ability to create space with his dodging is not only that he can stick it in any corner on the run, but he also dodges with his head up, creating chances for his teammates to score. He possesses great stick skills and can score in a variety of ways like behind-the-back or back-hand, and stretches the defense out with his ability to load up from the outside. Grimley puts a ton of work in on the defensive side as well, with great ground ball skills and physicality when riding on clears, while also having the quickness to stay with his matchup and create turnovers for his team.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["14951"],"_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":"Boston University has a good one coming next season in the 4-star midfielder from Hopewell Junction (N.Y.) and Lawrenceville. Whether Rooney is spotting up for a time-and-room shot or on the run down the alley with a defender in his hot pocket, he is a sniper who can score any which way. He has an extremely fast shot and great placement on his shots, usually changing planes and making it difficult for the goalie. One of Rooney's best attributes is the fact that he doesn't need a ton of space to be effective. He has the speed to get past his defenders on a dodge, but even if they make up some ground and start pressuring him, he doesn't get rattled and still makes the right play. Defensively, Rooney puts in a lot of effort on the rides and is physical when pressuring the opponent.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["14952"],"_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":"Solid short-stick defensive midfielders are hard to come by, but Croddick is one of them. The 4-star Colgate commit from RFH is a special talent with of the tools to be a great defensive or two-way midfielder at the next level. He has a good hard shot and great vision on the offensive side, but as one would hope, defensively is where he thrives. He has great footwork and a quick change of direction to keep his opponent in front of him when getting dodged on and has shown that he can hold his own when getting inverted to X. Croddick is strong off the ground and has the speed to run one-man clears when needed, but also keeps his head up for open teammates. He is a very physical player with good stick skills and unique takeaway checks, making him a short-stick defender that you don't want to pick on too often.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["14915"],"_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":"Hailing from Ontario, DiCicco is another out-of-state Lawrenceville recruit capable of changing a game. The 4-star Penn commit is a solid two-way commit who makes a big impact defensively and also possesses a hard shot. A natural lefty with good stick skills who can stretch a defense out and put the ball in great spots, he often keeps the goalies guessing by changing planes when shooting. DeCicco creates space when dodging with his quick change of direction and great vision to get his teammates involved as well. Defensively, he's able to keep his opponent in front of him, cause turnovers, and go coast-to-coast on a fast break. He is very active in the clearing game and rides hard when the opponents are clearing and because of that, I'd expect him to play a key role for the Big Red this season.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["14950"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"The Terriers won't only be adding [player_tooltip player_id='14951' first='Mikey' last='Rooney'], but they'll also have the fleet-footed Montclair (N.J.) 4-star on their roster for next season. A top SSDM prospect who is the younger brother of Yale LSM Konrad Miklaszewski, the senior is another two-way midfielder with blazing open-field speed that allows him to play fast in space. He can dodge past defenders with his quickness and finish past the goalie with his fast shot. Miklaszewski is also able to play in the crease and is effective with his quick release and smart shot placement, while also being able to absorb contact in the process. has a good shot on the run or when stepping down from the top and works really hard defensively, often turning into fast break goals.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["14932"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"A first line middie known for burying the 2OT winner in the Prep Nationals title game, the 4-star Michigan signee has been a mainstay since he came to the Big Red from Austin, Texas. Highly athletic and dynamic with a strong shot on the run, Vance is tough to keep up with due to his first step and shake, making him a mismatch for opposing shortsticks. When the first look isn't there, he's plenty capable of making things happen off the re-dodge and has excellent hands and pretty fakes to score in tight as well.\u003cspan class=\u0022Apple-converted-space\u0022\u003e With a few more notable losses to graduation this offseason, Vance's veteran play will become that much more important for the defending national champs. \u003c/span\u003e","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":7,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65b99701e4bf7"} /-->