Terp Classic '27s: Top Attack Performers from the DMV and MIAA

With the November recruiting circuit now underway, I spent Sunday at Liberty Sports Park in Upper Marlboro (Md.) for the annual Terp Classic event, where I focused almost entirely on Class of 2027 evaluations. In what will be the first of a handful of posts coming away from Sunday's action, here's a look at six of the top performing attackmen from D.C. and Maryland.   Use code ‘PREP30′ at checkout to receive 30% off your annual or two-year subscription!    A natural attackman, Todd got his feet wet this past spring while running out of the box as a middie, as is often the case for freshmen in the MIAA. He thrived in that role and showed a ton of promise while torching shortsticks due to his athleticism and savvy playmaking ability. On Sunday, he was the focal point of his team's offense and put on a left-handed scoring clinic. Even when teams knew that Todd was rolling back to his strong hand, there wasn't much that could be done. He does a great job of dealing with physicality and is so quick that he seems to have little trouble getting his hands free at will against poles, and he's got a downright nasty release on his shots. Todd will be a big piece of the puzzle for new Severn head coach Keegan Wilkinson, who left his HC post at Marist in the offseason to take over the Admirals' program.     Silva was a steady contributor for a Next Level squad that won its first two games of the day and then tied Team Ten to end the day. A wiry 6'0 lefty, Silva played above the cage and attacked from the wings, though he looked to carry the ball behind plenty and turn the corner. No matter where he was, Silva was frequently involved in scoring plays and demonstrated a smooth, confident, and creative playing style along with some bounce as a dodger. Once he got hot, there were occasions when he needed to move the ball a bit quicker, but he's got a pretty balanced game and has all of the makings of a player who will be a factor in the IAC, especially once he commits himself to the weight room.     As impressive as Shaw was in a showcase setting at the <a href="https://preplacrosse.com/2024/10/il-id-experience-top-27s-performers-at-attack/">Inside Lacrosse ID Experience in late October</a>, his complete skill set and ability to QB an offense was on display with the Crabs on Sunday. Always making the right reads, he's exactly the type of player that you'd want operating with the ball in his stick behind the cage and asking to blow by his defender off the end line. Able to see the field at an advanced level, Shaw played under control and was unselfish with the ball while also knowing when to attack his matchup. He had a pretty backhanded assist in the first game I caught, then thrived throughout the rest of the day, showing off a nice hitch as well as a wide array of moves at 5x5.     Possessing a dynamic skill set, Borg seems to be equally comfortable playing attack and midfield, having earned an All-Star nod at Best In Class as an attackman to close out October. He was always a threat above the cage on Sunday and took on increased responsibilities for a Madlax roster that was without its top attackman and top defender at Terp Classic. I was really impressed with his eyes and knack for making plays under pressure and after the slide came, along with his vision. Tall, highly athletic and intelligent, the Bethesda (Md.) native has a smooth shooting stroke off the catch and off the dodge and made some highly impressive plays. This past spring, he was one of four DMV products on Deerfield's varsity roster.     Already possessing a college-ready frame, Tighe pairs his big body with excellent skills. He was incredibly productive on Sunday, as I had him down for four goals and two assists between his first two games. He did a really nice job of consistently getting back to the middle of the field for his takes and scoring in unsettled opportunities. Not only that, but he seemed to make smart plays once the slide came, tossing a few beautiful passes with guys on his hands. As a freshman, Tighe bumped back and forth between JV and varsity, so it'll be interesting to see how much he's able to see the field as a full-time member of the Cadets' varsity roster.     Notching a hat trick in Next Level's second game on Sunday, Carl served as the beneficiary of his teammates' dodging and feeding abilities. The ball may not have been in his stick very long, but Carl did the dirty work inside, kept his feet moving, and executed some superb and well-timed cuts. Showing off soft hands inside and an arsenal of fakes, he racked up transition and rebound goals while demonstrating excellent chemistry with the rest of the NL offense. Later on in the day, he stuck a low-to-high against Team Ten. A natural goal scorer who is on the undersized side for the time being, Carl played JV as a freshman and posted 30 goals and nine assists.

With the November recruiting circuit now underway, I spent Sunday at Liberty Sports Park in Upper Marlboro (Md.) for the annual Terp Classic event, where I focused almost entirely on Class of 2027 evaluations.

In what will be the first of a handful of posts coming away from Sunday's action, here's a look at six of the top performing attackmen from D.C. and Maryland.