Ohio’s Central Region: Top Goalies to Watch in 2024

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The lacrosse season is finally starting in Ohio, and the player pool is as talented as ever at both the Division I and II levels. With so many skilled players to choose from, we've handpicked the best goaltenders to watch in the Central Region. <br><br>Keep an eye on these players from the 2024, 2025, and 2026 graduating classes, many still uncommitted. A lot of these players will be squaring off this season and will be integral pieces of the puzzle for their respective teams. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["21899"],"_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":"A September commit to Penn State, the 4-star recruit was named First Team All-State and First Team All-Region in 2023. The three-year starter has a great stance, patience, and a high lax IQ, along with great reflexes. Because of his athleticism, he's highly effective outside of the cage and can make plays with the ball in his stick. The favorite to win the Ohio HS Goalie of the Year award this season, Hawkins is a lot of fun to watch.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["21902"],"_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 First Team All-State and First Team All-Region pick in 2023, Lorentzen was also named as Ohio's Goalie of the Year. A fluid shot-stopper who is patient when tracking shots, he has quick hands and feet and is strong in his positioning. He's got good range in the clearing game, too, along with a high IQ. Lorenzen will look to repeat as the Goalie of the Year while acting as a big part of Jerome's run this spring.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["21906"],"_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":"Last spring went well for Baur, as he was named an All-American, First Team All-State in Division II, and Region 7's Player of the Year. A two-sport athlete who also plays football, he's athletic enough to make plays outside of the cage, and he has great reflexes, punching out to stop shots. He has an energetic step, uses his body well, is patient while players are dodging, and has good vision when clearing the ball.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["21908"],"_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":"With soft hands and quick reactions, Old does not allow many rebounds. He does a great job of controlling his body to make saves, plays angles well while waiting for shots, and has a very fluid motion while stepping. He also possesses good vision in the clearing game, getting his eyes up consistently after the save. Watch out for Old this upcoming season for Upper Arlington.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["21910"],"_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":"A Second Team All-Region player in 2023, Vance has good hands, solid reaction time, and is unafraid to use his body to make saves. He's a disciplined player and very patient as a shot-stopper, doing a nice job of reading shooters on top of thriving in the clearing game with good outlet passes and strong vision. Ames committed to the University of Alabama-Huntsville back in February.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f482180aaba"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["21917"],"_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":"A Second Team All-Conference pick in 2023, [player_tooltip player_id='21917' first='Jason' last='Ritchey'] is another player to watch as the season progresses. He has a big frame with a wide stance, using his frame to take up a lot of net while stepping quickly for a bigger goalie. Patient in between the pipes, he tracks the ball well and possesses quick hands that allow him to grab off-stick shots. Much improved in the clearing game, he stopped just under 60 percent in 2023.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f482180ab8f"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["21912"],"_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":"An honorable mention All-State selection and First Team All-Region player in 2023, Lanfersiek looks to build off of a great season. A lefty, his stance allows him to take up a lot of net, and he's able to rise up to high shots. He has a good step and uses his body to make saves, playing low angles as well. He's patient in the goal and keeps his hands up.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["21914"],"_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":"A two-sport athlete who was named Second Team All-Region 2023, Parini looks to improve on his freshman season. His athleticism allows him to make plays inside and outside of the cage. He takes up the goal with a wide stance and explodes to the ball. He has a quick reaction time and does a good job trapping low shots. He's young, so he has plenty of upside and plenty of time to improve.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f482180acae"} /--> <!-- wp:gallery {"linkTo":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped"></figure> <!-- /wp:gallery -->