Five Pennsylvania Prospects To Scout During Fall Ball

Here in October, fall ball action is primed to kick into high gear.   Therefore, today I wanted to review five extremely talented prospects from Pennsylvania who I humbly suggest that college coaches take the time to scout over the next two months of lacrosse action.    This long and agile face off specialist with quick reaction times posted a 71%-win rate during the 2026 season. Dempsey's impressive reflexes combined with textbook technique and powerful hands allow him to execute clean pick-n-pops. Once Dempsey has possession, he will dash into the offensive end to create a scoring opportunity for his team. Dempsey's long wingspan enables him to keep the ball out of reach of his opponent as well as collapsing wing players during those charges. This junior owns polished stick skills, so he is a threat to score or distribute while on the run. Another item that pops about Dempsey is his ability to track down and then scoop up ground balls. Dempsey's non-stop motor, active stick and physicality are the keys to his talent for securing possession in a crowd. Additionally, Dempsey has demonstrated that can win the clamp and then accurately snap the ball to one of his wings. The scary part about Dempsey is that he just scratching the surface of his potential.     D'Onofrio is a fleet footed, agile and physical pole who can dominate a game at LSM or close defense. At LSM, D'Onofrio does a fantastic job of controlling the middle third of the field. He is master at exploding out of the box to the ball carrier and then shutting down the opposing team's transition scoring opportunity. D'Onofrio's speed and relentless stick make him an extremely effective face off wing too. In settled action, D'Onofriois an aggressive LSM who will press far out on ball carriers and thus wreak havoc opposing team's set pieces. At close defense, D'Onofrio's physicality combined with his deep bag of stick checks allows him to shut down dodges from the wing as well as X. D'Onofrio's is also a high IQ team defender who executes timely slides and double teams.Donofrio has repeatedly proven that he can cause a turnover or scoop up a ground ball and then push the fast break. His refined stick skills and smart decisions with the ball make D'Onofrio a plus player in the clearing game too.     Niles is a 6-foot-5, athletic and smooth midfielder who can score or distribute. One asset that jumps off the page for Niles is the way he glides up and down the field. His long strides make it possible for him to separate from the pack in just a few steps and then swiftly push the ball into the offensive end. In settled action, Niles' quick release and powerful shot make him a dangerous catch-and-fire threat from the wing. Once he has established that perimeter threat, Niles will execute a shot fake, or hitch move and then dash to the middle of the field for a crank on the run. Niles' crafty off-ball movements frequently produce high percentage opportunities around the crease. As an initiator, Niles can get downhill going to his left or right and then shoot / distribute with either hand. College coaches should love that Niles has proven he can effectively operate at attack too. This junior's height, field vision and feathery touch make him a creative passer.     How this electric, two-way pole from western Pennsylvania remains available is a mystery. Pantano's speed and filthy stick skills allow him to swiftly convert turnovers or ground balls into transition scoring chances. Once he has carried the ball below the restraining line, Pantano is a legitimate threat to rip a shot into the back of the net. Pantano is serious scoring threat on the fast break as a trailing pole too. That same speed and stick skills allows Pantano to swoop in from the face off wing and vacuum up GBs. On defense, Pantano can track ball carriers for long stretches and then cause turnovers via powerful slaps or timely lifts and pokes. Pantano also has a knack for delivering crowd pleasing yard sales. When needed, Pantano can use a forceful shoulder check to separate his man from the ball too. Pantano's high IQ and communication skills allow him to smoothly navigate screen action and execute switches.     Greyson is an available 2028 prospect whose recruiting stock has skyrocketed thanks to his stellar play over the last four months. During the 2026 high school season, Schmidt registered 24 goals along with 15 assists. For an encore Schmidt torched opponents on the summer club circuit with his combination of size and polished stick skills. Schmidt capped off summer 2026 by being named the MVP at the Liberty National Elite Showcase. Then in September, Schmidt helped push the Team USA U17 squad to the Brogden Cup title. Schmidt is a multi-skilled offensive threat who can generate scoring chances for himself and teammates. He is comfortable initiating from anywhere on the field, but Schmidt is most effective when he gets downhill from up top. Once Schmidt has separated from his man, he can score or distribute on the run. Schmidt's ability to absorb significant contact on his charges to the net is impressive. He will patiently carry the ball while eating stick checks until a high percentage scoring chance develops for himself or a teammate. This junior has also demonstrated that he can snipe from up top as well as the wing.

Here in October, fall ball action is primed to kick into high gear.