Alliance Fall Invitational: 2028 Defenders Who Looked the Part

Held at the illustrious DE Turf Complex over the weekend, the second annual Alliance Lacrosse League Fall Invitational offered a great chance to evaluate many of the top 2028 teams — and plenty of college coaches took advantage, getting an early look at the next wave of talent. The Prep Lacrosse staff was on site throughout, catching action from both the '27s and '28s, and we'll be rolling out coverage on each age group in the coming days. First up, five 2028 defenders who stood out:    Berger first gained my attention with his standout play for the Hawks in the NLF Summer Championships final — the lone 2028 club game I caught before November — and he was back at it again this weekend for a loaded squad. Equal parts air traffic controller and lockdown cover man, he's remarkably poised and polished for his age, communicating and sliding with confidence. His stick was always in the right position, his head was always on a swivel, and his hips and feet were always in sync. Berger's over passes were on point in the clearing game, and he possesses sharp stick work across the board. The Hawks played lights-out team defense while taking on some notable matchups, and Berger certainly played a huge role in ending possessions. He's one to watch for a Spalding team that will have to reload after graduating one of the best senior classes in program history, a group that included a pair of highly touted defenders.     Beyond just passing the eye test with a big and athletic frame, Connelly's instincts and off-ball intelligence caught my eye, even in a small sample size. He was heady as a sliding defender and impactful in the passing lanes, knocking down and intercepting passes on multiple occasions. When covering the ball, Connelly did an excellent job of guiding his man down the alley away from high-percentage scoring areas, though he wasn't tested often in this particular game. His stick work and overall consistency stood out quickly, and over time, so did his ability to make the right decision time and time again. It's early, but Connelly looks primed to be one of the better '28 defenders on Long Island.     An imposing lefty from Rochester who occupies a ton of space around the crease, Mallaber checks a lot of boxes and was one of the more well-rounded defenders at the event. Due to his size, he's able to match up well 1v1 with big, physical dodgers, but he also has the high-level footwork to match feet with the smaller and more fleet-footed ball-carriers and give them trouble. Making a great approach to the ball every time, he's fundamentally sound and moves with fluidity. He's a great communicator and man-conscious away from the ball, uses his length in the passing lanes, and has ample stick work that allows him to be an asset on the clear.     To say Owens passes the eye test would be an understatement — he's every bit of 6'4” and already filled out at 200-plus pounds. His older brother Trevor (6'6”, 225) is expected to be No. 2 in Maryland's LSM rotation as a redshirt freshman this spring, and their father played football at Florida State, so Aiden certainly comes from great stock. Set to be a four-year starter for St. James under Hall of Famer John Tucker, Owens moves exceptionally well and brings both size and substance to the table. Unlike many players his age, he understands how to use his towering frame to his advantage, routinely showing the willingness to throw his body around on slides and picking the right moments to be confrontational.     Always around the ball, Smoragiewicz's impact was felt right off the bat and then put on constant display. The energetic lefty was all over the field making key plays, gobbling up clean GBs off the wing, causing disruption when sliding, and pushing the ball upfield while showing confidence carrying with either hand. He's got outstanding hands and stick work, always making his presence felt on-ball and then knowing what to do with the ball once he picks the ball off the carpet. Against 3d New England, he had a big caused turnover and groundball late, then scooped up another key GB when doubling. Coming off a highly successful football season (which included him kicking the game-winning field goal in a playoff matchup a week prior), Smoragiewicz's motor, athleticism, and competitive drive made him incredibly fun to watch.

Held at the illustrious DE Turf Complex over the weekend, the second annual Alliance Lacrosse League Fall Invitational offered a great chance to evaluate many of the top 2028 teams — and plenty of college coaches took advantage, getting an early look at the next wave of talent. The Prep Lacrosse staff was on site throughout, catching action from both the '27s and '28s, and we'll be rolling out coverage on each age group in the coming days. First up, five 2028 defenders who stood out: