Players On Elite Teams With the Most to Gain in 2026

Programs win championships, but they're sustained by players who rise in big moments. Across the country, elite teams leaned on highlight players who shaped outcomes, flipped games, & defined postseason runs. This list evaluates the players who have the most to gain in 2026 — & ultimately the most to say — as the 2025 season unfolded...   Calvert Hall (MD): What does it take to be in the mix for #1? I'd say winning the MIAA championship & turning the tables against the very teams that tested you most is enough. The Cardinals dropped regular-season decisions to McDonogh & Archbishop Spalding, only to beat the Eagles (3x defending league champions) in the semifinals before settling the score vs the Cavaliers in overtime of the MIAA championship. Considering how well the MIAA performed collectively against national competition, that résumé carries serious weight. Calvert Hall also made noise beyond Maryland, knocking off Hill Academy (Canada), Malvern Prep (PA), & Lawrenceville (NJ) during an 8-0 start. After their April losses, the Cardinals ran the table with the "cradle of the game," the nation's most preeminent lax hotbed. Looking ahead, this isn't a one-year spike — Calvert Hall had its 2026 schedule locked & loaded before Thanksgiving, a reflection of a program that is prepared, positioned, & built to play to the standard every year!    Jack Williams earned a spot on the prestigious Cardinal's Varsity team in his freshman year (2023) & hasn't looked back. Jack stepped up as a sophomore for highlight reel dunks on some of the best players on some of the best teams in the country. He has a superior speed with the ball in his stick & is crafty when he gets leverage underneath defenders around the goal. Williams wowed as a junior with game-winning goals vs Lawrenceville (NJ), & a finishing ability that carried the Cardinals to the MIAA championship. He had two goals in the semifinal victory over McDonogh, including a behind-the-back shot that electrified the student section! Jack Williams is a significant reason why Calvert Hall returns in 2026 as the preseason #1 defending national champions. He is verbally committed to the admissions process at Yale.     Michael Steer is another stud who made Varsity as a freshman at Calvert Hall (2024), a rare accomplishment. Michael had his sophomore season cut short (5 games) due to an injury, but what he was able to accomplish while on the field in 2025 was eye-opening. Steer was slicing & dicing past Archbishop Spalding, snatching ankles before cranking one home. He is super fast & explosive out of his dodge with a rifle for a shot. Michael dodges with his head up, looking to draw a slide & assist his teammates with an open look. He is a dangerous distributor who doesn't let the ball die in his stick. Steer registered assists against Malvern Prep (PA), Hill Academy (Canada) & Lawrenceville (NJ), three of the most competitive high school programs in North America. It is scary to think how much better the Cardinals would have played down the stretch last year with him in the lineup as an outstanding midfield athlete who can play defense, scoop up groundballs, & clear the ball—verbally committed to Virginia.    St. Anthony's (NY): The Friars possess one of the most potent offenses in the country, paired with a ferocious defense & endless midfield depth. What they lose to graduation is generally not replaced, but reloaded with a pipeline of Division 1 talent waiting in the wings. St. Anthony's captured their sixth straight NY (CHSAA-AAA) State Title in 2025, redeeming a previous loss to Chaminade from earlier in the season. Expect more of the same from the Friars in 2026 as they are presumably a lock to be there competing at the end. St. Anthony's returns a wealth of talent with known commodities that can turn a game in an instant. They are centered on Long Island, arguably the lax capital of America, with ancient roots dating back to the 1800s.    Jacob Johnston has been squaring up on Varsity since his sophomore season (2024), where he was primarily seen playing defense, scooping up groundballs, & pushing transition at a high level. Jacob grew to become more than steady last year as a junior, contributing 31 goals & 10 assists (41 points). He plays a physical style all over the entire field with his stick & body. Johnston hustles hard to get back on defense. He is the ultimate safety valve who can hunt down players from behind the restraining line, beating them to the opposite restraining line with trail checks that de-twigs his opponent. Offensively, Jacob can step in for his own shot & smack corners! He works well in the two-man game, & looks comfortable when drawing the pole. Johnston is slippery & shows a high IQ with front swings to generate quick-hitting, easy goals. He was named 1st Team All Long Island last season & will look to push for a nod at All-American as a senior. The Swiss-Army Knife from St. Anthony's is signed to play at Johns Hopkins.     Dylan Harrigan stepped up for St. Anthony's this past spring, turning in performances that earned him 2nd Team All Long Island notoriety. Dylan scored 30 of his 48 points in the Friars' final six games against some of the best teams in the country. He capped off his junior season by scoring four goals & four assists to lead the Friars past Chaminade in the New York State (CHSAA-AAA) Final. Harrigan was named the team's offensive player of the year by his coaches. He is bullish on the dodge, fighting to get to his strength. Dylan mixes up his shot with amazing accuracy from the left wing. He cuts hard off the ball & almost always cashes in when catching it on the crease. Harrigan can get hot in a hurry & will be an integral piece of the puzzle if the Friars want to defend their dominance in Championship games. The fundamental finisher is signed to play at Maryland.    Lawrenceville (NJ): The Big Red claimed back-to-back National Titles in '23 & '24 while mathematically remaining in the mix for #1 in 2025. Over the last three seasons, they've built a culture of peaking late, suffering only five losses in that timeline. Lawrenceville enjoys star power at every position & the depth college programs covet. The Big Red registered 264 goals offensively while allowing just 133 goals against. They were held to single digits in 30% of their games last year, where they lost 50% of those contests. Everyone circles Lawrenceville on their calendar, as the Big Red carries one of the nation's toughest schedules & consistently earns their opponents' best shot. Expect them to bring momentum into 2026 following their Prep Nationals championship win over Salisbury (CT).    Ayden Matthews is the definition of an inside-out offensive weapon, capable of impacting the game on the offensive end. Ayden's lightning-quick release paired with elite shot accuracy makes him a constant scoring threat, while his competitive edge & spatial awareness translate seamlessly to the field game. Matthews' handle is exceptional in traffic, allowing him to finish tight, while showing advanced creativity as a scorer who can beat defenders with both his feet & his stick. He is equally dangerous dodging from the wing or operating as a secondary initiator, where his vision & willingness to move the ball keep defenses honest. Ayden thrives on the extra-man, using quick decision-making & a deceptive release to expose rotations. He plays with toughness, embraces contact, & consistently makes the right play — whether that's burying his own look or delivering a selfless feed to the doorstep. Matthews has served as a captain for Orangeville & Team Ontario indoors. The Canadian Box influence is obvious in his poise, competitiveness, & feel for timing, all of which fit perfectly within The Big Red's offensive identity. Verbally committed to Penn State.     Tate Starr is a powerful, two-way midfielder who brings size, speed, & a big lefty sidewinder rip to the middle of the field. A stretch shooter by nature, Tate utilizes a heavy step-down with the ability to change hands, angles, & finish on the run. At his best, Starr is a downhill dodger who physically imposes himself on short sticks & doesn't shy away from a slide or double team. He's comfortable initiating, using rollbacks, rockers, & hesitations to create separation before uncorking high-velocity shots. Tate shows the ability to finish with his right hand when defenses overplay his strong side & he can be particularly effective in pairs or two-man action. Starr uses his athleticism to play fast without forcing the issue. Defensively, his on-ball work stands out, using his size & foot speed to be disruptive. Tate is smart & effective in transition, which makes him a tough assignment. After returning to full health over the past year, Starr looks primed to assert himself as a true all-around midfield presence for the Big Red. He is verbally committed to Virginia.    Archbishop Spalding (MD): The Cavaliers' program has steadily risen in the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association over the last five years, elevating Anne Arundel County lacrosse along the way. Archbishop Spalding posted their best record in program history last year, fueled by strong team chemistry. Alumni can take pride in a team that came within two goals of going undefeated. Avenging a late March 1-goal loss to Boys' Latin in the semifinals, the Cavaliers fell in the MIAA championship in overtime—the first time in league history the title was decided by a golden goal. It was the program's second appearance in the title game & first time back since 2021; they are still chasing their first MIAA championship. Archbishop Spalding returns blue-chip recruits at multiple positions but will need more players to step up as they navigate a schedule that promises challenges in the MIAA and beyond.    Chris George is a high-motor defensive midfielder with impressive ball instincts. Chris excels in one-on-one matchups, using speed, strength, & a solid jam to slow down dodgers early. He consistently rides the hips & denies access to dangerous parts of the field. George challenges dodgers well outside the box, playing with urgency & intelligence, dictating where the ball goes defensively. In transition, he turns defense into offense. Chris is comfortable pushing the clear, running through traffic, & occupying poles in space before drawing & dumping to create quality possessions. His passing stands out for the position, showing the ability to spot teammates for easy looks in unsettled situations. George competes for every inch, makes smart substitutions, times the ride, & steals possessions shot along the end line or sideline. When slid to, Chris is active & aware in the recovery process. He bumps through the heart of the defense before pressing back out to the perimeter. George's toughness & emerging offensive impact could make him a reliable two-way presence who might surprise at the next level. Phins up, he is signed to play at Jacksonville.     Jackson Hines is an in-your-face defender who plays with a constant edge & makes his presence felt every shift. Jackson is comfortable laying the lumber, bringing a disruptive mindset both on the ball & as a help defender. He shows foot speed & fluid hips, allowing him to get under picks, fight through contact, & stay matched without overextending. Hines plays with discipline up top or down low within the team concept, showing a strong understanding of angles & top-side positioning. His stick work stands out on the wings & off the ground, where he consistently makes the smart pass to initiate the clear or maintain possession. Jackson flies out of the substitution box defensively to apply pressure at the midline, safeguarding the field with active hands & timely checks. He handles his pole confidently, at times looking comfortable carrying it like a short stick. After earning meaningful minutes as a sophomore for an elite Cavaliers team, Hines projects as a reliable presence who can take opponents off their feet on the defensive end. Verbally committed to the United States Naval Academy.    Loomis Chaffee (CT): Dominant is one word used to describe the Pelicans' 2025 season. The entire journey lasted less than two months, but there was some heavy-hitting action in the New England Founders League with more maturity in the post-grad play. Statistically, the Pelicans held opponents to an average of 6.88 goals against while scoring an average of 15.17 goals per game last year. A recipe for continued success is to score twice as many goals as you give up on average. Loomis Chaffee enters 2026 with a well-balanced program, returning talent, & a reputation for disciplined defense and high-powered offense that will make them a team to watch, even as details of their schedule are still emerging.    Milki Conway-Reppert was named to the All–New England Prep School Athletic Council as a junior & was the recipient of the Coaches Award for Loomis Chaffee in 2025. Milki served as a key contributor for the Founders League Champions, one of the best teams in the country. After missing the 2024 spring & summer due to injury, he returned with maturity, having already proven his production early by leading the Pelicans as a freshman with 30 goals & 34 assists (64 points). Conway-Reppert earned All–Founders League honors in 2023 & has continued to elevate his impact each season. A cerebral offensive player with a high lacrosse IQ, Milki flourishes in small-part offense, dazzling above or below the goal line as the primary facilitator. His vision allows him to skip the ball through defensive layers, stretching units with wing-to-wing movement & delivering no-look feeds that create clean, easy finishes. Conway-Reppert is truly two-handed, equally capable as a scorer or distributor, & relentless in the ride, consistently extending possessions through effort plays. His poise & ability to elevate those around him separate him from his peers. The Milk-Man is the highest-rated recruit to ever commit to the admissions process at Dartmouth & profiles as a program-changing offensive engine at the next level.     Hayes Griffin is a towering terror on defense whose presence alone alters how offenses attack. Hayes demonstrates superb fundamentals, using leverage & timing to cause turnovers without drawing fouls. He leads with his stick on rotations & follows through with his forearm to neutralize dodgers. Griffin makes impressive reads during scramble situations & closes space in a hurry. He is an intimidating presence all over the field in the 6v6 & has the ideal frame to play man-down. Hayes is comfortable playing on an island or arriving as a help defender with force. His low base & balance allow him to absorb contact, plug the backside, & stymie passing lanes with his reach. On the crease, he brings an enforcer's mindset, lowering the shoulder & finishing plays through the body. A versatile pole, Griffin can play between the lines, guard midfielders, & take wings on the face-off. He adds value in transition, decisively scooping groundballs & legging it upfield to satisfy the clear. Verbally committed to Notre Dame.    Brunswick (CT): The Bruins have been one of the most consistent programs over the last decade, boasting a 136-19 program record & a 55% winning rate against Lawrenceville (NJ) in that span. Brunswick hosted the Prep Nationals Tournament last year after a strong season, but got bounced out in the semi-finals by Salisbury School. This marked the first time since the Prep Nationals' inception that we did not see the Bruins beat or battle the Big Red for the title. Brunswick won the inaugural tournament championship in 2022. The program returns a talented bunch while their 2026 schedule tests them nationally & regionally, as they aim to make another run at the Prep Nationals championship.    Lucas Garcia earned US Lacrosse All-American (New England – Western) honors in 2025 after producing 79 points (49 goals & 30 assists) as a junior. A year earlier, he totaled 49 points (27 goals & 22 assists) as a sophomore, establishing himself early as one of the most dangerous offensive players in the class. Lucas is a pace-breaker with speed, change of direction, & an R2/RT speed burst on his first step. His ability to stay composed at top speed makes him so difficult to defend. Garcia plays fast without playing rushed. He reads space & ball-watching defenders a step ahead while maintaining his footwork with balance-efficiency. Lucas' scoring comes from precision & control rather than excess. He generates power with an effortless release, consistently getting his hands free while disguising the stick & release point from goalies. Garcia creates separation with tight fundamentals & an economy of movement. Ferocious on the ride, he applies pressure with intent, forcing rushed clears, turning possessions through effort & awareness. Lucas' competitiveness shows in the margins — the extra rep, the second effort, the possession that flips momentum. Garcia belongs in the conversation for the top overall prospect in the class. Signed to play at Virginia.     Matt Colella is a sky-scraping, two-handed middie with the frame, athleticism, & lacrosse IQ to impact every area of the field. Matt can initiate from both alleys up top, the wings, & behind the cage, showing comfort attacking defenders from multiple launch points. Early in his varsity career, he flashed his scoring ability as a downhill dodger, sweeping & stepping down with confidence against top competition. Colella announced himself during the National Prep semifinals vs Salisbury, scoring on the run from range with his left before burying a right-handed step-down from deep on a give-&-go. As his game matured into his junior season, Matt expanded his impact beyond initiation. He became more effective inside, moving with patience as a big target, finishing in tight, including a left-handed goal against Darien. Colella keeps his head up while dodging or operating on the perimeter, allowing him to create clean opportunities when defenses slide early or lose structure. A true two-way presence, he runs the field in transition, protects his stick, corrals rebounds in traffic, & competes defensively with size, effort, & awareness. Matt's visible enthusiasm shows up during momentum-shifting stretches, often celebrating with teammates as plays break his team's way. Whether driving inside, running the wings, contributing in transition, or finishing on the crease, Colella profiles as an all-purpose, high-upside middie whose growth curve & two-way impact separate him from many in his class. Verbally committed to the admissions process at Penn.    Chaminade (NY): The Flyers' legendary Coach Jack Moran stepped down after 45 seasons & over 600 wins, helping build the Flyers into a prominent powerhouse. Chaminade enters 2026 looking to continue its ascent in a new era with a talented roster returning. Their schedule challenges them nationally, taking on teams from MD, PA, FL, CO, NJ, DE, CA, CT, & MA in addition to the usual suspects in New York. The top prize remains the NY (CHSAA-AAA) State Championship against perennial power St. Anthony's, the winner of the last six titles.    James Gillis was named 1st Team All Long Island as a junior. James scored 42 goals, 19 assists (61 points), & picked up 38 ground balls while causing 12 turnovers on the ride in 2025. He contributed 32 goals & 16 assists (48 points) as a starter in 2024, which is uncommon for a sophomore at Chaminade. Gillis was named a Team Captain for the 2026 Flyers & could potentially hit the 200-point plateau in his final year. He possesses an ideal blend of power & speed, using both to be equally effective. James is extremely athletic & is firmly in the conversation for the #1 overall prospect in his class. Coaches trust him because of his composure in big moments & takeover ability. Gillis has collected multiple MVP honors, delivered championship performances in All-Star settings, & has a documented history of scoring game-winners dating back to his freshman year in 2023. Last spring, he notched 5 goals in a win over Salesianum (DE), another 5 goals in the program's first win since 2021 against St. Anthony's in April, & 6 goals in a victory against Delbarton (NJ). Signed to play at Duke     Kieran Walsh is a commanding presence in the cage with the size, poise, & processing speed to anchor an elite defense. Kieran naturally takes up space, but it's his calm demeanor & economy of movement that set him apart. He consistently gets his body behind the ball, tracks well through traffic, & rarely looks rushed in high-pressure moments. Walsh communicates effectively, shows strong spatial awareness, & handles the ball comfortably outside the crease. He initiates clean clears & limits second-chance opportunities with rebound control. Kieran's stick work is reliable & purposeful, pairing well with his ability to read developing plays & position himself ahead of developing actions. After earning the starting role as a junior, he delivered consistently on big stages, recording 143 saves on the season with double-digit save performances in 10 games. Walsh stockpiled 14 saves vs St. Ignatius (CA) at the Fighting Irish's Arlotta Stadium, & he came up clutch late against St. Anthony's, sealing the Flyers' monumental win with a point-blank stop at the buzzer. Kieran stacked 16 saves vs Delbarton (NJ), then added 12 stops vs Manhasset during the annual Reg's Rock game, honoring Sgt. James J. Regan, as Chaminade extended a 13-game winning streak. Walsh's composure & feel for the game elevate the unit in front of him & profile him as a dependable, high-floor goalie built for winning environments. He is signed to play at Notre Dame.    LaSalle (PA): The Explorers' title drought dating back to 2019 still looms, but if there is ever a time to reclaim glory, it is this year with this senior class. LaSalle's projected path is shaped in part by scheduling dynamics, with several traditional Inter-Ac matchups absent this spring. Even so, the Explorers have assembled one of their strongest schedules in recent memory, including a spring-break trip to Florida — perhaps testing the deepest waters since 2009.    Shane Dominello earned 2nd Team All-Catholic as a junior in 2025, emerging as the Explorers' leading point scorer against ranked opponents. He produced 2 assists against Malvern — including a one-handed behind-the-back, 5 goals against Hill Academy (Canada) with its International enforcers, & 2 goals at Haverford — one with his right hand after taking the extra step to greatness where he remained standing on top of the crease like a beast. Shane excels finishing inside & is particularly dangerous from the left wing, where he can hit precise, overhand shots with remarkable consistency & disguise (think: fitting a lacrosse ball into a small Rita's water ice cup — Italiano Lacrosse NIL). He creates separation with quick footwork, reads defenses intuitively, & has a pro-style feel for timing +/- space evident since his middle school days with the Tigers XXVI (UNDFTD: 81-0). Dominello is also a thoughtful two-way player, contributing to the ride & positioning intelligently off the ball to generate opportunities for teammates. His calm demeanor, sharp lacrosse IQ, & repeatable skill set make him a high-upside player capable of contributing at the next level. While uncommitted, Shane remains on the radar of top programs, with the potential to make a late decision that matches his athletic & academic profile.     Haverford (PA): The Fords enter 2026 carrying championship expectations after returning a core nucleus from a PAISAA title run, now shifting from hunter to hunted. Their schedule once again tests them nationally, featuring matchups against traditional talent from Maryland, New Jersey, & New York alongside the grind of the Inter-Ac. With proven structure, depth, & confidence forged under pressure, Haverford will push to defend its crown with a roster built to sustain success, not chase it.    Teddy Gillin was a major contributor for a Haverford group that finished #1 in PA last season & captured the Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association championship. He was named to my <a href="https://preplacrosse.com/2025/06/junes-judgement-delco-dominates-the-piaa-finals/">HM All-State Team</a> at the conclusion of the 2025 varsity season. Teddy made varsity as a freshman, started playing as a sophomore & became a staple on defense as a junior. An incredibly shrewd defender, he is technically sound both on & off the ball, capable of covering multiple spots within an advanced scheme. Gillin's stick skills are outstanding, & his feel for safeguarding the goal shows when the game speeds up. He shines when he sees the dodger's laces on the back of the helmet—an old-school cue for a blindside double. Teddy plays with a selfless, system-first mindset, excelling behind the cage, running his rails, communicating early, & switching uninterrupted without attachment to matchups. Those traits routinely lead to knockdowns, nuggets, & quick ground balls that ignite the Fords' supreme full-field transition game. That impact was on full display during the 2025 PAISAA championship run, where Gillin logged heavy minutes down low, flexed up top when needed, & played a central role in a defensive approach built on structure over strict assignments. He is an experienced presence on the man-down unit, limiting opponents' extra-man opportunities. Gillin enters his senior season with much to gain as a defender capable of staying on the field, controlling tempo, & anchoring a championship-level unit. Verbally committed to the admissions process at Cornell.    Malvern (PA): The Friars have been known year in & year out for carrying one of the most demanding schedules in the country, consistently lining up against Top-10 caliber programs across the Mid-Atlantic & Northeast while navigating PA's Inter-Ac — arguably the deepest high school lacrosse league in the nation. They'll lose a few familiar faces from recent years but return plenty of talent. No fat-cats here—look for Malvern to earn every stripe, fight hard until the very end, & grow under pressure all season long. Not too much has changed since September's "<a href="https://preplacrosse.com/2025/09/pennsylvania-lax-way-too-early-rankings/">Way Too Early Team Rankings</a>".    Joey Murphy scored 36 points (22 goals & 14 assists) as a freshman starter in 2025, an accomplishment that carries added weight given the Friars' relentless national schedule. Earning meaningful minutes for Malvern as a ninth-grader is atypical; producing at that level against top-tier competition is even more eye-popping. Joey played his way onto the All-Tournament Team at the New Balance All-American Underclass event this past summer, further validating his early impact on a national stage. Offensively, he operates with a calm, almost nonchalant rhythm — a clear example of slow is smooth, smooth is fast. Murphy is far from a one-move dodger, capable of chaining together bull, split, roll, & face dodges, often re-dodging with purpose rather than forcing the issue. A left-handed attackman/middie with strong vision, Murphy consistently finds cutters on the inside while remaining a legitimate scoring threat from anywhere on the left side — wing, low base, or box corner. Defenses that overplay his left are quickly surprised, as he's comfortable getting down the hash & ripping it right-handed. Joey shows a willingness to compete on the defensive end in small spurts, scrapping in unsettled situations, an encouraging sign at this stage of his development. Murphy is still very much at the beginning of his trajectory, revealing the scratching of the surface with his long-term potential. He is surely already on the radar of top programs. College coaches cannot initiate direct recruiting contact until September 1, 2026, making this next season about continued growth rather than exposure.

Programs win championships, but they're sustained by players who rise in big moments. Across the country, elite teams leaned on highlight players who shaped outcomes, flipped games, & defined postseason runs. This list evaluates the players who have the most to gain in 2026 — & ultimately the most to say — as the 2025 season unfolded...