Five Prospects Who Have Popped Early In 2026

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below is a review of five prospects who have played outstanding lacrosse during the early portion of the 2026 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["129788"],"_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-69d253e7e6035"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Aquino's incredible offensive performances early this season are a major reason Hill School is off to a 6-1 start and holds the No. 15 ranking in the country. The long and multi-skilled midfielder poured in five goals in a win over Gill St. Bernard (NJ) and recorded a hat trick during Hill's defeat of Worthington Kilbourne (Ohio). He also notched two goals against Brunswick (CT). Aquino's speed, elusive moves, and ability to score with either hand have made him extremely difficult to defend 1v1. He has excelled at initiating from the wing or up top and then finding open space for a rip. His step-down shooting has been a legitimate weapon, too. Over the first month of the season, Aquino has pinged corners from long range with both his right and left hand.    </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["171860"],"_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-69d253e7e6101"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This shifty offensive prospect with a quick burst and dynamic stick skills has provided a scoring punch to help Cape to a 4-1 record. Early in 2026, Grapski used his change of speed/direction moves to blow past initial defenders and avoid slides as he charged to the net for finishes in close. He has also displayed an incredible knack for dipping underneath defenders as he attacks the cage. Grapski has flashed the ability to get downhill from the wing or up top and then fire on the run, too. An underrated element of Grapski's game has been his off-ball movement. He has done an incredible job of drifting or cutting into open space, where he scored via quick catch and fire plays. So far this season, Grapski has posted hat tricks against Ridgewood (NJ) as well as Milford (DE).   </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["121751"],"_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-69d253e7e6195"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This Princeton commit is widely regarded as one of the top FOGOs in the 2027 class, and during the first month of the season, Lam has lived up to that hype. Across GSB's first five games, Lam has won 63% of his face-offs. He was especially impressive against Hillsborough (NJ), where he went a perfect 11-for-11 on draws and pushed GSB to a win. Lam also posted a 13-for-20 (65%) afternoon against Hill School (PA). The combination of Lam's quick reactions and powerful hands has repeatedly produced clean clamps. Once he has secured possession, Lam has exploded away from the face-off area and streaked into the offensive end for goals and assists. Plus, Lam has proved that he is a high-IQ prospect who values possession by not forcing the fast break and dumping the ball off to open teammates.   </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["175930"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":175933,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-69d253e7e6251"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Across St. Anthony's first three games of the 2026 season, LoNigro's fantastic play at the dot had been flying under the radar. Then, earlier this week, against then-No. 1 Episcopal Academy, LoNigro and his elite skills stepped into the spotlight. During St. Anthony's upset of EA, LoNigro went 9-for-11 on face-offs. Included in that dominant performance was a face-off win that led to the possession, which produced the game-tying goal for St. Anthony's. LoNigro also secured possession on the overtime face-off that set up the game-winning goal. For an encore, LoNigro posted a 15-for-20 game (75%) against Delbarton's (NJ) trio of DI face of specialists. Early in 2026, this Wingate commit has shown he can win face-offs cleanly or muck it up and then chase down GBs. Plus, LoNigro has showcased the ability to keep his opponents off balance by varying his exit strategies.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["175143"],"_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-69d253e7e62de"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This highly touted freshman started the season opener at attack against Hill School (PA) and posted two goals. Verner has not taken his foot off the gas since that first game, as he also notched two goals versus national powerhouse Lawrenceville (NJ). For a 2029 prospect, Verner has demonstrated elite shooting skills. He has uncorked powerful overhands as well as sidearm missiles from everywhere on the offensive end. Verner has also been a smooth operator in two-man game action. The pick-n-pop skills Verner has demonstrated are well beyond his years. Verner's quick release made him difficult to close out on those set plays. In addition to his impressive shooting skills, Verner has proven to be a high IQ prospect who has delivered smart as well as timely passes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->