The Faceoff Academy i95 Cup: Five More 2028 FOGOs Who Impressed

<a href="https://preplacrosse.com/2026/08/the-faceoff-academy-i95-cup-northeast-2028-face-off-talent/" data-type="link" data-id="https://preplacrosse.com/2026/08/the-faceoff-academy-i95-cup-northeast-2028-face-off-talent/">Last week, we took a look at face-off talent from the Northeast.</a> Now, we turn to five more FOGOs who impressed throughout the summer, including at The Faceoff Academy's i95 Cup.    The most impressive face-off specialist at the i95 Cup, based on both the eye test and the stat line, was Nicholas Pallone. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Db36FSAAHbO/" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.instagram.com/p/Db36FSAAHbO/">The Face Off Academy listed him at 78 percent for the event. </a>Absolutely dominant, his hand speed and how quickly he gets out of his stance really stood out. I saw Pallone in three games this summer between Showtime and NAL, and he has looked like more than just a FOGO. He is willing to take a beating to win groundball battles, handles pressure with the ball extremely well, and looks to get it back after giving it up. He gave BBL advantages all over the field when teams decided to sub rather than stay in and play defense.     I could not leave Zipkin out of this i95 Cup write-up after he won Team New York the championship in the sudden-death matchup. At the event, he showcased extremely quick hands and the athleticism to go out and win the groundball. His control of the ball on his exits makes him look like a seasoned veteran, perhaps in part because he sat behind William Lugo in the spring.   I saw Zipkin twice live before this event, at Best in Class and NHSLS. At both events, he had great stat lines, but what really stood out was his ability to play the field. He is not afraid to ignore the substitution-game strategy, stay on, and play good defense. With the ball, he moves confidently enough to put it in his left hand and take it to the rack when needed.     I would award Nico DiPiazza as the most improved face-off specialist I have seen since the fall. I watched him in two games at the Terp Classic and thought his hand speed was good, but his stick work and groundball ability needed work. This summer, he has made an impression on multiple college coaches and me. Most of his impressive wins this summer have come from popping the ball forward, catching it after one bounce or no bounces with one hand, and then sparking transition. His ability to use his body in groundball battles and with the ball stands out because he has the athleticism to get in front and the strength to stay upright through contact.     Kennedy might not look the part at 5'7", but he knows how to win face-offs. His hand speed was impressive, and he varied his exits when he won. I did not see a ton of counters, as he relied heavily on his primary pinch and rake moves, but he looked really good getting a piece of the ball and raking it into space. He has the speed to beat his opponent in a footrace to the groundball, and that alone is a counter in a real game.   Kennedy is also a two-time state champion wrestler, so he understands the leverage game. <a href="https://www.fultonneighbor.com/sports/lovett-wrestlers-claim-state-titles-at-state-wrestling-traditionals/article_2f75e06f-6e2b-48b1-8c94-c65613e002d2.html" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.fultonneighbor.com/sports/lovett-wrestlers-claim-state-titles-at-state-wrestling-traditionals/article_2f75e06f-6e2b-48b1-8c94-c65613e002d2.html">He won his state championship at 120 pounds this year while recovering from the flu and nursing an elbow injury that would require surgery.</a> That is the type of grit college coaches will love to hear about.     Huang has been solid across multiple events this summer, including Best in Class, Showtime, NAL, NASG, and the i95 Cup. His game is a lot like that of his older brother, Foster, who is arriving at Syracuse in the fall. When you look at Whitten's game, a lot of it is built on strength. He is not the quickest with the ball or to groundballs, but he is strong, stocky, and has a low center of gravity that makes him difficult to move and outmuscle. His hands are heavy on the clamp, where he is likely to win any tie-ups. When loose balls are nearby, he is great at boxing out and scooping in close quarters. With the ball, he can take a serious beating while still maintaining solid stick work. At the i95 Cup, he went head-to-head with a ton of great FOGOs and came out on top against some of the best.

Last week, we took a look at face-off talent from the Northeast. Now, we turn to five more FOGOs who impressed throughout the summer, including at The Faceoff Academy's i95 Cup.