National ASG: Defenders and a Goalie Who Capped Off Big Summers

Ty Xanders has broken down the National All-Star Games extensively over the past week, with those links below. For this final NASG piece, we highlight defenders and a goalie who capped off big summers with impressive showings.   <a href="https://preplacrosse.com/2026/07/national-asg-2028s-offensive-weapons-who-finished-strong/">Offensive Weapons Who Finished Strong</a> <a href="https://preplacrosse.com/2026/07/national-asg-2028s-offensive-weapons-who-finished-strong-part-2/">Offensive Weapons Who Finished Strong, Part II</a> <a href="https://preplacrosse.com/2026/07/national-asg-2028s-six-east-coast-defenders-who-popped/">Six East Coast Defenders Who Popped</a> <a href="https://preplacrosse.com/2026/07/national-asg-2028s-shortstick-d-middies-who-turned-heads/">Shortstick D-Middies Who Turned Heads</a> <a href="https://preplacrosse.com/2026/08/national-asg-heat-check-how-did-some-of-the-top-2028s-finish/" data-type="link" data-id="https://preplacrosse.com/2026/08/national-asg-heat-check-how-did-some-of-the-top-2028s-finish/">Heat Check: How Did Some of the Top 2028s Finish?</a>    Baruch's evaluation is overdue in my book, as he has consistently stood out to me since The Show and Best in Class events in the early season. There is a lot to like about him on the defensive end, and he has consistently found the back of the net in transition. On the ball, he is solid. He stays glued to dodgers without doing too much until it is time to get confrontational. You will see him rely on his lower body a lot to get into ball carriers with cross-checks, wraps, and timed stick checks that have a knack for ending possessions. Another consistent part of his game is his instincts and IQ off the ball, where he comes up with a ton of interceptions by anticipating skips. He seems good for at least one a game, and because of that, he gets a ton of transition opportunities where he slips through the teeth of the defense for shots frequently.     One of my biggest takeaways from Urbon at Showtime was how many shots he catches, and he continued that at NASG. The clean saves he comes up with allow for quicker outlets and more transition if his midfielders can pick up on it. He plays with a wider, more comfortable stance, with his top hand at an angle. He can do this because his top-hand speed is incredible, allowing him to get to five-hole and off-stick shots in a flash. If teams don't move him and he's locked in on shooters on stepdowns, good luck. The one skill that concerned me at Showtime was the turnovers in the clear, but I haven't seen that at Naptown or NASG.     Bezjak has put together a solid summer resume, starting with his performance at Showtime and carrying through to NASG. On the ball, he has decent feet, and his physicality helps him a lot. He leans on hard cross-checks and has a sweet trail check that has gotten him out of trouble. Off the ball is where he really shined this season. He is one of the loudest on the field, he is very instinctive in killing advantages before they get going, and he comes up with a lot of picks and batted balls on skips. When it is time to rotate, he brings a great body slide in transition and has produced a ton of caused turnovers from doubles on rollbacks throughout the summer.     Being physically imposing and aggressive on ball are traits that excite defensive coordinators, and Kripas has the strength and athleticism to play that way without getting burned. He has a strong V-hold to lock down one side, then brings hard slaps and cross-checks when ball carriers dodge are on the opposite side of the cage. Off the ball, his size allows him to cover a lot of space and make it tough for ball carriers to draw him until it is too late in rotation situations. As a slider, he brings timely slides and doubles when he sees the back of the helmet. In the clearing game, his stick is solid, and he does the job without putting himself in bad spots.     The athleticism in Schmelmer is obvious. When you watch him run with dodgers, you can see the football player in him and his potential in lacrosse. The impact plays he made this summer are what really stick in my mind. At NASG, he came with heavy hands on a slide against Maryland, and he was one of the core members of that championship Midwest team. His instincts shine whenever you watch him. At Naptown, he had a play where he threw his stick up after reading a passer's body language, killing an EMO opportunity for Red Hots. At NAL, he had a couple of big-time ground balls and a shot runout that ended possessions, all based on his instincts and athleticism.

Ty Xanders has broken down the National All-Star Games extensively over the past week, with those links below. For this final NASG piece, we highlight defenders and a goalie who capped off big summers with impressive showings.