2027 Tri-State Area Standouts Who Thrived This Fall

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tri-State area continues to produce a high volume of talent, and the 2027 class is no different. Three of these players are committed, while the other three remain uncommitted. Either way, these players have not been written up yet at Prep Lacrosse, and they all showed up and performed exceptionally well this fall—making plays, winning matchups, and impacting games beyond the stat sheet. Here's a look at a group of Tri-State area '27s who stood out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["172796"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-695d90e3e382c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">If you're looking to add a defender in the 2027 class who brings athleticism, physicality, and a willingness to clear the crease, [player_tooltip player_id='172796' first='Evan' last='Wanamaker'] is one to watch. He's had strong showings against plenty of committed players this fall at both Alliance and IMLCA. He can handle quick, shifty dodgers with his agility and foot speed, but he also has the strength and toughness to knock bigger players off their path. Wanamaker adds the competitive edge defenses need to establish consequences for offensive players trying to live in the middle of the field, while mostly staying within the rules. His athleticism shows up all over the field, from ground balls to clearing and transition, where he pushes the tempo with speed and isn't afraid to make plays on the offensive end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["172802"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-695d90e3e3bd5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Notaro, a Marquette commit, has shown all fall why he's a legit Division I faceoff guy, dating back to his runs at the Alliance Fall Championship and the Terp Classic. In the spring, he was a huge piece for South Side at the X, finishing at 61% in the regular season and bumping that up to 75% in the Nassau County Playoffs. He's comfortable doing more than just winning clamps, which makes him tough to match up against over the course of a game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When he's rolling, his pinch-and-pop forward can take over stretches and turn draws into instant transition. When teams start sitting on that, he's got counters ready and doesn't panic. He understands exits, uses his body well, and plays low with good balance to box guys out and win ground balls. His swipe is the one that really jumps out — it's quick and hard to time. Once he comes up with it, he's confident with the ball, avoids pressure with spins and face dodges, and isn't afraid to push it. If defenses sleep on him, he'll make them pay by finishing plays himself.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["172793"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-695ef27e809e9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">If I am a college coach looking to add a defender to my ‘27 class, I would be keeping tabs on Shah. He's a defender who plays more like an LSM because he adds a lot of pressure to his matchup and provides a lot in transition. Defensively, the first thing that stood out was his ability to land checks while still handling change of direction well. He could add a little more quickness in one-on-one situations, but he makes up for it with his physicality and knack for forcing turnovers. In transition, his stick work and confidence with the ball really show up. He's a legit scoring threat when he pushes the tempo, and defenses have to respect that, which opens things up for easy draw-and-dump looks to his attackmen. Shah is the type of defender who can impact the game beyond just locking someone off.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["171483"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69287eeb543e3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The recent Pace commit and Mount Sinai transfer brings a skill set every offense needs. His off-ball play and quick release are both legit and show up even against top defenses. Off the ball, he's elite at identifying when defenders are ball-watching—even something as small as a head turn—and making them pay for it. If defenders try to stay disciplined with their hips open, his cuts are still so quick and well-timed that it's tough to take good angles and recover.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When you pair that off-ball IQ with his hands and lightning-fast release, he becomes really difficult to deal with. He catches everything inside and gets it out so quickly that goalies barely have time to react. The lefty also has enough quickness and bounce to beat defenders to the middle for quality looks, where that same quick release freezes goalies again. Darling is the type of player you need your best off-ball defender on if you want any chance of slowing down the offense he's part of.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["172798"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-695d90e3e3a28"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Some coaches may have been hesitant with [player_tooltip player_id='172798' first='Justin' last='Goldberg'] because of his knee injury, but Marist ended up getting a steal. This fall, across multiple tournaments, he was constantly on the stat sheet—and did it without making mistakes. The righty still shows impressive speed and change of direction in his dodges, consistently finding ways to get his hands free.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">He can dodge from anywhere on the field and always seems to work back to his right hand—though he's capable with his left when needed—to get quality looks. He's especially dangerous when he's coming downhill with a full head of steam out of the box or attacking short sticks from behind the cage. Off the ball, he finds gaps easily and is a real threat on step-downs with his feet set. If this fall was any indication, he is going to be a real problem for opposing defenses in the spring. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["172800"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-695d90e3e3afe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Whoever lands [player_tooltip player_id='172800' first='Connor' last='Mineo'] is getting a stud of a defensive midfielder. Teams don't have to slide to him—which is unusual for a short stick—and he consistently forces turnovers with his physicality. He's a constant pest with his cross-checks and will land a few crowbars if dodgers let him get into them. His footwork looks effortless when matching feet with dodgers, and he knows when it's time to body up and make things uncomfortable in key areas of the field. Simply put, he's a dawg on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In the clearing game, he's fast. His stick could use a little polish, but he doesn't try to do too much—he understands his role and gets the job done. If you're looking to add an SSDM in the '27 class, Mineo is a really solid option.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->