Up-And-Comers: 2028s From the Northeast

The class of 2028 is emerging as a highly talented class, already demonstrating advanced stick skills, sharp positional awareness, and impressive lacrosse IQ—thanks in large part to elite club programs and year-round training opportunities. In this piece, we'll look at several up-and-coming sophomores out of the Northeast.    Petriccione brings a blend of dodges, feeds, and finishes, making him a flexible asset to any roster. He understands spacing, timing, and, most importantly, how to exploit defensive gaps. He uses fakes effectively and shakes defenders with poise. A left-hand dominant player who primarily operates behind the cage and up top, he has field awareness beyond his years. With a strong frame and a knack for creating shooting lanes, Petriccione's presence is always felt.     Udovich has a strong blend of athleticism, intelligence, quick decision-making, and standout field vision. Due to the way he moves, he's able to recover rapidly, close gaps, and cover offensive threats with ease. Udovich carries a team-first mentality, showcasing strong leadership skills for his future endeavors. He anticipates well and reads plays like the back of his hand. He can create turnovers and push transitions. Overall, he can hold down his matchup, scoop up ground balls, and adapt to his surroundings, making him a valuable team asset.     Standing at 5'11 and weighing in at 190 pounds, McVey uses his solid frame to cover the cage and absorb shots. He acts as the defensive field general, leading with strong communication skills and a refined game sense. With a composed mindset in between the pipes, McVay is on point with his positioning and has off-the-charts reaction time. In big moments, you can count on him to make key stops for his team.     A gritty player, Krauter has technical precision and a relentless motor at X. While not elite yet, the volume of face-off wins he has taken suggests that he's trusted to control position and battle consistently at midfield. He puts in the time outside of practice, as that level of hand speed doesn't happen overnight. His ground ball stats speak for themselves. Not only that, but countless checks, fast breaks, and feeds demand resilience and physicality.     Playing both attack and midfield well, Riso does a great job of initiating offensive play behind the cage. Not only that, but he also pushes transition when playing through midfield. He's flexible, which allows him to adapt well to different game senses and matchups. Riso is creative, dynamic, and excels at quick releases. He has an accurate shot, crisp passes, and a solid lax IQ. He's a playmaker at heart, setting up teammates for smart feeds and dodging into scoring lanes when the time is right. Overall, he knows how to read defense and uses what he's given to his advantage. Riso is definitely someone to keep an eye on.     Ranked 26th in New York for assists and Top 3 in Section 1 while at Horace Greeley (N.Y.), Gashi is an offensive weapon who can be counted on for consistency, strong field vision, and great playmaking skills. Simply put, he's not just a scorer. Known for creating scoring opportunities, Gashi has a knack for finding open teammates. He is an unselfish player, capable of putting up big numbers, having averaged 1.9 goals per game before transferring to Taft. Calm and calculated, his approach is outstanding. He'll adjust his game accordingly, adding to his appeal.     A good player waits for the game to come to him rather than forcing a play that isn't necessary, and Bolduc does exactly that. A native of Nashua (N.H.) who now plays at St. Mary's in the MIAA, he doesn't chase but rather guides dodgers into low-angle shooting lanes and forces tough decisions for attackmen. He uses his strength effectively to body up attackers and control the space near the crease. Bolduc is known for his ability to stay disciplined with his coverage, asking for help when needed, and calling plays effectively. He's comfortable throwing checks, controlling his stick in tough situations, and has polished fundamentals. He's great with ground balls and clears under pressure as well.

The class of 2028 is emerging as a highly talented class, already demonstrating advanced stick skills, sharp positional awareness, and impressive lacrosse IQ—thanks in large part to elite club programs and year-round training opportunities. In this piece, we'll look at several up-and-coming sophomores out of the Northeast.