New Jersey X-Factors Who Could Push Their Teams Into the Top 10

Following the pieces on my preseason top 10 teams in the Garden State, we now take a look at five teams and players who were also considered and an X-Factor for each. Many of these teams had solid 2025 seasons and are looking to build off of that success to make a deep playoff run this spring.   ICYMI, check out my preseason <a href="https://preplacrosse.com/2026/02/x-factors-on-the-garden-states-preseason-top-10-teams/" id="https://preplacrosse.com/2026/02/x-factors-on-the-garden-states-preseason-top-10-teams/">6-10 teams</a> and also my <a href="https://preplacrosse.com/2026/02/must-know-x-factors-on-the-garden-states-preseason-top-5-teams/" id="https://preplacrosse.com/2026/02/must-know-x-factors-on-the-garden-states-preseason-top-5-teams/">top 1-5 teams</a> looking to make noise this spring once again.   *Teams listed in no particular order*   Manasquan   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>2025 record: 19-3 X-Factor: [player_tooltip player_id='120266' first='Jack' last='O'Reilly'] (Sr.) Overview: The Warriors had a memorable 2025 season, winning the South Jersey Group 2 sectional title for the second straight year and then dominating Hopewell Valley 13-5 to capture their first state title in program history. They would advance and make their first appearance in the Kirst Cup, where they beat Glen Ridge in the first round and then lost to eventual champion Seton Hall Prep in the semifinals. While they graduated many notable playmakers, they will be returning a slew of experienced and talented players, starting with my X-Factor, senior midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='120266' first='Jack' last='O'Reilly'] (Cornell), who made an impact last season scoring 14 goals and tallying 8 assists and they will look to his leadership this spring as he will need to step into a bigger role offensively along with upperclassmen [player_tooltip player_id='120287' first='Lucas' last='Longo'] (Middlebury) and Kieran Schneider among others alongside of them. At the X, they will likely look to senior FOGO Will Conway (Scranton), who finished last season winning north of 50% of his attempts, and will work to stay consistent and control the X this spring. In cage, it is still unclear at this point who will take over for Pat Loxley, but it could be senior Thomas Canning or junior MJ Femenella, who each saw limited action last spring. Defensively, seniors John Lake (St. Leo), Ambrose Masonius, and Blake Murray, among others, will most likely be looked upon to step up for Manasquan with some holes to fill due to some key departures. The Warriors will be gearing up to go back-to-back, and with the experience and skill of their returning players, there's no reason why we shouldn't be talking about them come playoff time. Notable Matchups: TBD</li> </ul>   Moorestown   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>2025 Record: 16-5 X-Factor: [player_tooltip player_id='121526' first='Aidan' last='Ruff'] (Sr.) Overview: The Quakers had a great season last spring, but fell short to Shawnee in a tightly contested one-goal game in the South Jersey, Group 3 sectional finals to end their season. This season they will have lost a few difference-makers offensively, but they will be returning my X-Factor, senior attackman [player_tooltip player_id='121526' first='Aidan' last='Ruff'] (Dickinson), who led his squad in goals (49) and assists (34) and will be looking to leave his mark this season alongside guys like senior Caden McDonough (Stevenson) and juniors Bryce Richards and Max Cevallos who will each need to step into much larger roles with multiple players having graduated since last spring. Junior FOGOs Ben Labroil and Cole Muhlschlegal will likely be battling it out for the starting job at the face-off X after each took multiple reps last year and between the pipes will be junior goaltender [player_tooltip player_id='127515' first='Wes' last='Canton'] (Loyola), who finished with 124 saves last spring and was a big reason why Moorestown was able to pull out close games down the stretch. Surrounding Canton in net looks to be guys like upperclassmen Michael Oatway (Marymount), Jake Lees, and Alex Waldhauser, who were a part of the defensive unit that only allowed three teams to score double digits on them last year. The Quakers can make noise this spring with the talent that is returning, along with the experience they bring to the table as well. Notable Matchups: 4/11 vs Manasquan 4/18 vs. Summit 4/22 @ Shawnee</li> </ul>   Mountain Lakes   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>2025 Record: 14-8 X-Factor: [player_tooltip player_id='143667' first='Lawson' last='Fagan'] (Jr.) Overview: The Lakers will be gearing up for another deep playoff run this season after they ran into a red-hot Glen Ridge team in the Group 1 state title game last spring, losing 8-7 in a back-and-forth contest. This year they are returning a host of key playmakers on both sides of the ball, none more notable than my X-Factor, junior attackman [player_tooltip player_id='143667' first='Lawson' last='Fagan'] (Dartmouth), who lit up the scoreboard, finishing 2nd on the team in goals (50) and first in assists (53), notching 100 points on the season for the first time in his young career. Fagan will be accompanied by seniors Holden Gillespie (Bucknell), Massimo Corvelli (Denison), and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='165991' first='Owen' last='Higgins'], who each eclipsed over 50 points on the year and stayed aggressive and productive for their squad. At the X, sophomore FOGO Jayden Hernando tallied 226 face-off wins at a 66% clip against some tough competition, which will help him grow as a player and build off of that this spring. In cage, senior Bailey Austin could see himself thrust into the starting role after appearing in six games last spring and totaling 14 saves in that time. Defensively, they will be returning a host of upperclassmen like [player_tooltip player_id='121330' first='Ty' last='Plotts'] (St. John's), Ryan Sluck, and Duco DeBeijer, who each played a role in holding teams to under 8 goals per game on average last season. With the young core on offense for Mountain Lakes, they are going to be a scary team to match up with this spring and could find themselves fighting for a state title once again come June. Notable Matchups: TBD</li> </ul>   Kingsway   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>2025 Record: 22-1 X-Factor: [player_tooltip player_id='141558' first='John' last='Mcentee'] (Jr.) Overview: The Dragons made history last spring as the first team in program history to win a sectional title game in a tight 7-6 outcome vs Southern before losing in the Group 4 title game vs Westfield, which was their only loss of the entire year. They have a young group of playmakers on their roster, and they will likely be a handful once again this spring. Their offensive firepower was on full display last year and a ton of upperclass talent will be returning with guys like [player_tooltip player_id='172262' first='Owen' last='Dougherty'] (LIU), [player_tooltip player_id='172556' first='Patrick' last='Civitarese'] (Hobart) and Roman Woratyla who all notched over 60 points on the year, punishing opposing defenses and as an offense averaged just under 14 goals per game. With Tommy DiPietro having graduated, senior Connor Cusack and junior Ryan Ingenito will be fighting for the starting job at the face-off X, both of whom saw limited action last spring behind DiPietro. Defensively, Kingsway is led by a brick wall and my X-Factor, junior net-minder [player_tooltip player_id='141558' first='John' last='Mcentee'] (Penn College), who recorded 181 saves on the year and commanded the defense from his crease with his athletic ability and communication in net. Surrounding McEntee, the Dragons are bringing back a bunch of defensive difference-makers, starting with juniors Cole DeNick (Rutgers), Jackson Guittar, and also senior [player_tooltip player_id='174428' first='Ryan' last='Glenn'] (Stockton), who tallied 30 points as a long-pole and is a serious threat with the ball in transition. With all of the talent and experience for Kingsway, they're going to be another tough team to beat once again and have the ability to dominate their opponents with high goal totals. Notable Matchups: 4/15 vs. Ocean City 5/12 vs. Shawnee 5/16 vs. Moorestown</li> </ul>   Scotch Plains-Fanwood   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>2025 Record: 16-7 X-Factor: Nick Homer (Jr.) Overview: The Raiders had a ton of momentum leading up to and in the North Jersey Group 3 bracket, but came up short vs. Chatham in the semifinals, where their season ended. However, they are going to be a very tough team to beat this year with the young group of guys they are bringing back. None more productive and efficient than my X-Factor, junior attackman Nick Homer (Hobart), who finished first on his team in goals (48) and second on the team in assists (45) and was a nightmare for opposing defenses along with senior Brian Kloepfer and juniors Ryan Scarpa, and Colin Kochanowicz (Bucknell), with each of them recording over 40 points on the season and will look to build off of that production this year. At the X, there are big shoes to fill with Ryan Mauer having graduated, but sophomore Nate Filler saw time last spring, winning 23 face-offs at a 70% clip, and could find his way into the starting role this year. In cage, senior Matt Krantz will likely take the reins full-time after notching 72 saves in 12 games played while splitting time last spring. In front of him, senior star defenders [player_tooltip player_id='42677' first='Caleb' last='McDowell'] (Yale) will lead the defensive unit that allowed only four teams to score double-digit goals on them all of last year, alongside guys like senior Rocco Trainor and junior Connor Scarpa (Vermont), among others. Scotch Plains-Fanwood has all of the tools to make waves once again this spring and could find themselves fighting for a state title when it is all said and done. Notable Matchups: 3/28 @ Westfield 4/4 vs. Rumson-Fair Haven 4/11 @ Summit </li> </ul>   Teams Also Considered: Ridgewood, Bridgewater-Raritan, Glen Ridge, Pingry

Following the pieces on my preseason top 10 teams in the Garden State, we now take a look at five teams and players who were also considered and an X-Factor for each. Many of these teams had solid 2025 seasons and are looking to build off of that success to make a deep playoff run this spring.