2027s Making Noise Out West

The 2027 class is rich with high-level talent from outside traditional hotbeds, showing that elite lacrosse talent isn't confined to the East Coast. Out West, Colorado defenders have been making their mark with physicality and toughness, while California-based attackmen and middies have been standing out for their athleticism and creativity. These five players bring a mix of skill, grit, and high-level lacrosse IQ that make them names to know moving forward.    The Colorado native is a physical and cerebral defender who projects extremely well at the next level. Known for his bruising style, he combines size and strength with surprisingly sharp footwork, making him a nightmare matchup for opposing attackmen. If you draw Pacheco, you're leaving the game with bruises—his heavy slap checks land clean, and his perfectly timed slides create consistent turnovers. What sets Pacheco apart is how much more he brings beyond physicality. He's crafty on groundballs, often winning them to himself, and he thrives in transition with smooth stick skills and the confidence to push the pace. Whether it's jumpstarting offense with a clean clear or even stepping in to rip one himself, Pacheco makes his presence felt all over the field.     Everett is a defender who separates himself with a rare blend of athleticism and lacrosse IQ. His quickness allows him to match feet with opposing attackmen, giving him the confidence to take calculated risks while still having the speed to recover. That same burst makes him an outlet in transition, often jumpstarting fast breaks and creating numbers the other way. His high-level awareness is just as valuable as his athletic traits. Everett consistently times his checks to disrupt possessions before a slide arrives, and he thrives as the hot man, reading the offense, jumping doubles, and forcing turnovers when opponents least expect it. With his mix of speed, toughness, and smarts, Everett profiles as a defender who can impact the game at every level.     One word to describe Max Wong: crafty. The 5'9” lefty attackman out of California constantly finds ways to make plays. He's a shifty dodger who thrives initiating from the wing, capable of beating defenders sweeping topside or slipping underneath near the crease. Wong uses his smaller stature to his advantage, baiting defenders with hesitation moves and quick bursts that create just enough space to free his hands. While he may not boast the hardest shot, his deceptive release makes it feel faster than it is— he hides the ball behind his body before snapping it out with pinpoint accuracy. Wong's craftiness, deception, and ability to finish from multiple spots on the field make him a nightmare matchup for any defense.     Posting a goal and two assists, Gross had a big impact in the Naptown championship game, making several key plays that helped Mad Dog National 2027 Gold win it all. In the first quarter, he executed a smooth right-handed sweep and read the slide perfectly. He adjusted his posture mid-dodge, forcing the defender to hold. Then he re-dodged and hit a jump shot to the far top corner. In the fourth quarter, with the game on the line, Gross sparked another crucial moment. He dodged to draw a slide, moved the ball under pressure, got it back, and threw a perfect skip pass to [player_tooltip player_id='129698' first='Carmine' last='Antonini']. Antonini finished with a bounce shot. Gross is a smart dodger, re-dodger, and passer who performs well under pressure. He creates offense when it counts, too. In a championship setting, Gross showed he can be the difference-maker when his team needs it most.     Antonini earned Player of the Game honors after leading Mad Dog Gold with two goals and an assist in the Naptown championship. Both of his goals came in the fourth quarter— one with each hand from range— pushing Mad Dog ahead 5–4 and then 6–4 in the final minutes.   Fast, shifty, and thriving in 1v1 situations (especially with his signature split dodge), Antonini tallied 37 points on 28 goals and nine assists this spring at Loyola. Comfortable shooting with either hand, Antonini is also excellent at finishing with his stick to the middle and consistently reads the slide well. He's a dynamic offensive threat who consistently elevates his game on big stages.

The 2027 class is rich with high-level talent from outside traditional hotbeds, showing that elite lacrosse talent isn't confined to the East Coast. Out West, Colorado defenders have been making their mark with physicality and toughness, while California-based attackmen and middies have been standing out for their athleticism and creativity. These five players bring a mix of skill, grit, and high-level lacrosse IQ that make them names to know moving forward.