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<p>As we continue to make our rounds writing up many of the 90 players featured in last week's <a href="https://preplacrosse.com/2025/01/class-of-2026-maryland-rankings-top-40-juniors-watchlist/?itm_source=parsely-api"><strong>Maryland Class of 2026 rankings release</strong></a>, let's head north from Annapolis to check in on uncommitted '26s at Mt. St. Joe, McDonogh, St. Paul's, and John Carroll. <br></p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">Among several sophomore face-off specialists who earned starting duties in the MIAA last spring, Ballenger looked increasingly comfortable as the season progressed. At 6'0 and 180 pounds, he brings athleticism, a tenacious mindset, and strong ball-handling skills. Upon making a clean offensive exit, he evades traffic admirably once the ball is in his stick and makes the appropriate pass. Perhaps just as notable, I've also been impressed with his relentless compete level —when he doesn't win initially, he scraps and claws to win possession, so his hustle is never a question mark. Playing with a handful of club teams this fall, he continued to show well as a catalyst and will look to carry over that momentum to his junior season.</p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">In addition to being a shoo-in for the All-Name Team, Barger is a promising lefty stopper who passes the eye test with his lanky 6'4, 180-pound frame. With his ability to fill up the net and take away the corners, he turns long-range bombs into popcorn and often makes his presence felt in the clearing game thanks to his athleticism. Barger is patient in cage and not overreactive — even when he's a half-second slow to react, he's able to make key stops. Near the end of the summer, I thought he did a really nice job for a scrappy 91 Maryland squad at the NLF Championships. I'll be interested to watch his continued development as the Patriots enter Year 2 under head coach Gunnar Waldt, who was a three-time All-American goalie at Bryant following his playing days at St. Paul's. </p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">As a sophomore, Birrane cracked the Gaels' first line and finished the season with an impressive stat line of 19 goals and 22 assists. The slick and hard-nosed playmaker dodges with guts and purpose, unafraid of contact and showing a willingness to throw his body around. He's a highly impressive shooter with his feet moving and forces defenses to pay him mind far from the goal due to his range, and his vision makes him that much more of a threat. The time Birrane spent playing basketball earlier in his career is evident in his passing upon drawing the slide and when he makes hesi moves during his dodges. While he begins plenty of dodges with the stick in his off-hand before switching back to his right, he could probably stand to improve his left hand a bit. When he's called on to play defense, Birrane holds his own as well. </p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">At 5'8 and around 150 pounds, Edelen isn't the biggest keeper, but he makes up for it with his big save ability and a knack for shutting down shooters in tight spaces. With his technique and footwork, Edelen does a great job playing angles and moving deftly pipe to pipe to shut the door from close range and make momentum-changing stops. Often standing out at individual events, he has an explosive top hand and reads and reacts while staying disciplined on multiple fakes. He occasionally struggles with controlling second-chance opportunities, leading to additional scoring chances for opponents, so becoming more consistent there and in the clearing game will be elements of his game that he could improve. Fortunately, Edelen faces high-level offensive talent every day in practice, so he's constantly getting quality reps even as the Eagles' second-string keeper. </p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">There's no doubt that Minderlein projects as a d-middie at the next level, but he's flashed the ability to be a legit two-way threat. With his nonstop motor and end-to-end speed, the energetic lefty racks up hockey assists and can cash in on scoring opportunities himself. Defensively, he has demonstrated sound footwork and thrives at playing angles and forcing dodgers down the alley, keeping them away from high-percentage scoring areas. Minderlein consistently makes smart and impactful plays in transition, scooping up groundballs and pushing transition at a high pace. I'll be curious to see how the Gaels fare in 2025 after last spring's squad came within a game of finishing .500 for the first time in recent memory. Minderlein and the junior class bring valuable experience, fueling optimism despite the challenges of breaking through the gauntlet that is the MIAA.</p>
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As we continue to make our rounds writing up many of the 90 players featured in last week's Maryland Class of 2026 rankings release, let's head north from Annapolis to check in on uncommitted '26s at Mt. St. Joe, McDonogh, St. Paul's, and John Carroll.
HEIGHT
6'0"
WEIGHT
180
POS
FO
CLASS
2026
State:
Maryland
School:
St. Paul's
Club:
6 Star Sixers, Nationals LC
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HEIGHT
6'4"
WEIGHT
180
POS
G
CLASS
2026
State:
Maryland
School:
John Carroll
Club:
Team 91 Maryland
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HEIGHT
5'11"
POS
M
CLASS
2026
State:
Maryland
School:
Mt. St. Joseph
Club:
Team 91 Maryland
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HEIGHT
5'8"
WEIGHT
150
POS
G
CLASS
2026
State:
Maryland
School:
McDonogh
Club:
Crabs
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HEIGHT
5'10"
WEIGHT
165
POS
SSDM/M
CLASS
2026
State:
Maryland
School:
Mt. St. Joseph
Club:
Crabs
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