Standouts from The Preview Playday, Part III

The final installment of The Preview series shines a spotlight on the 2028 and 2029 standouts who showcased their skills inside Chase Fieldhouse. As some of the youngest players in attendance, this group displayed impressive poise, athleticism, and creativity well beyond their years. From two-way midfielders who controlled both ends to defenders who played with confidence and edge, the next generation proved that the future of the game is in strong hands. Each of these players used The Preview stage to make a statement heading into the fall circuit—and for many, it won't be long before college coaches start taking notice.    McGinty already looks like one of the premier midfielders in the 2028 class. He's a fierce competitor—tough, physical, and a nightmare matchup for opposing defenders. Known for his powerful downhill dodging, McGinty can hammer shots on the run with either hand and does so with confidence and pace.   At The Preview, he finished with two goals and an assist against BBL, but his impact went far beyond the stat sheet. He consistently created transition with his one-man clearing and groundball ability, using his combination of speed, strength, and body control to manipulate and run past defenders. With his versatility, athleticism, and edge, McGinty projects as a true two-way midfielder who can thrive in multiple roles at the next level.     At 6'4", Albert was one of the most noticeable players at The Preview—and not just because of his size. The BBL and Pingry product plays a physical, imposing brand of defense. On-ball, he's confrontational and unafraid to initiate contact, often sending attackmen home with bruises. His strength allows him to dictate matchups, and even from a V-hold, he can control dodgers and force them off their lines.   Albert's presence also shines in team defense. He slides with authority and consistently puts opposing players on the turf without needing a running start. In the clearing game, he stays composed under pressure and makes smart reads to spark transition. With his size, physicality, and poise, Albert already looks the part of a next-level close defender.     Higgins put together an impressive showing at The Preview, tallying two goals and an assist in a strong performance against Duke's LC. A highly skilled dodger with a knack for creating quality shots, Higgins brings a complete offensive package. He has a deep bag of dodging moves, but what really separates him is his ability to change direction and accelerate out of his breaks—similar to a wide receiver snapping off the top of a route. That explosiveness allows him to consistently generate separation and high-quality looks.   Beyond his dodging, Higgins has proven production to back it up, posting 52 points as a freshman on varsity. He also reads the field well, showing vision and unselfishness as a feeder when defenses slide. With his burst, shot diversity, and scoring instincts, Higgins is a 2028 to keep an eye on moving forward.     One of the more noticeable defenders at The Preview play day was a six-foot lefty who used his size and aggressiveness to set the tone defensively. Cummins stood out for his willingness to extend pressure all the way to the restraining line and immediately engage his matchup's hands. His footwork is sound, and with his strength, any attacker who stays at one speed is going to feel his cross-check and struggle to get clean shots off.   He also showed good reads in the clearing game, moving the ball with confidence. While his stick skills are still developing, that will come with time—and as a 2029, he already has the defensive mindset and physical tools that make him a player to watch. Cummins brings the kind of edge and upside that coaches love to see in young defenders.     Harry O'Connor made his mark at The Preview by allowing just one goal against Duke's and two against 2Way, an impressive showing for a 2029 goalie. With his combination of size and athleticism, he already looks advanced for his age. His biggest strength is his pure reaction time. O'Connor tracks the ball confidently, stays composed under pressure, and reads shooters exceptionally well. He employs a unique stance—lowering slightly as he locks in on the ball—which allows him to explode toward shots and make high-level saves look routine.   He's especially sharp on skip passes, baiting shooters by showing the far pipe before taking it away in an instant. Whether it's off-stick hip or low, he consistently gets a piece of the ball. In the clearing game, he's smooth and decisive with his outlets, starting transition efficiently. With his poise, technique, and natural reflexes, O'Connor looks like one of the more polished young goalies to emerge from The Preview.     The lefty midfielder turned heads at The Preview with his shiftiness, quick release, and ability to create offense on his own. Oliver St. John impressed with a pair of standout goals against 2Way. The first came on a shifty dodge against a short-stick defender, where he rolled back sharply in the middle of the field and snapped off a quick release before the slide arrived. His ability to stop on a dime and get his hands free makes him a constant threat to score.   His second highlight was just as impressive—a slick toe drag on the lefty wing that froze his defender and set up a perfectly timed shot before help could recover. With his creativity, poise, and ability to generate his own looks, St. John is a young midfielder with exciting offensive upside.

The final installment of The Preview series shines a spotlight on the 2028 and 2029 standouts who showcased their skills inside Chase Fieldhouse. As some of the youngest players in attendance, this group displayed impressive poise, athleticism, and creativity well beyond their years. From two-way midfielders who controlled both ends to defenders who played with confidence and edge, the next generation proved that the future of the game is in strong hands. Each of these players used The Preview stage to make a statement heading into the fall circuit—and for many, it won't be long before college coaches start taking notice.