Breaking Down the Top 2026s from the IL Summer Derby Final

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Day Two of the IL Summer Derby, Team 91 Georgia and Jersey Thunder faced off in the championship game at a sweltering Blandair Park, where temperatures pushed past 100 degrees. Both teams entered the matchup undefeated, but Team 91 Georgia came in as the clear favorite, boasting a roster loaded with committed talent: [player_tooltip player_id='33951' first='Kamden' last='Clack'] (Ohio State), [player_tooltip player_id='74264' first='Owen' last='Leonardo'] (Flagler), and the dynamic Bellarmine duo of Tiedrell Ansley and Munch Jones. Jersey Thunder, however, wasn't interested in reputations. They played disciplined, unselfish lacrosse and leaned on a stingy, cohesive defense to contain Georgia's offensive firepower—and make it a battle to the final whistle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["120668"],"_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-685c653fac50a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Despite standing at just 5-foot-7, Leppard has a knack for finding the back of the net. He racked up an eye-popping 102 points during his junior season—87 of them goals. At the IL Summer Derby championship game, he accounted for three of his team's seven goals, once again proving he's built to produce. Off the ball, Leppard is sneaky and elusive, timing his cuts perfectly and exploding into space with quick bursts of speed. With the ball, he's tough, two-handed, and deceptively shifty. His first goal of the day was a perfect example: he made a hard cut with a defender draped all over him, caught the ball left-handed, punched it away from his defender, spun back, and finished right-handed—absorbing a huge hit in the process. Leppard is one of those players you can't overlook. His size might not turn heads, but his production absolutely should.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":129384,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='129400' first='Kevin' last='Cooke']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026 ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"144","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Blair Academy ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Jersey Thunder","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-685d805c1b9cb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cooke was a major difference-maker in the second half of the IL Summer Derby championship game, stepping up with a poised and confident performance in the cage for the Thunder. In just one half of play, he tallied seven saves—many of them in high-pressure, close-range situations. A tall, athletic goalie, Cooke combines his size with fast-twitch reactions and quick hands. He consistently exploded to the ball in tight, showing impressive poise and sharp instincts inside the arc. What really stood out was his ability to match sticks and take away high-percentage looks. Cooke also jump-started the transition game with pinpoint outlets, throwing an accurate and catchable ball in the clearing game. His presence, reaction time, and clean mechanics gave his team a lift when it mattered most.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='129496' first='Jordan' last='Gruzas']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"142","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"James Caldwell ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Jersey Thunder ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-685c653fac596"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='129496' first='Jordan' last='Gruzas'] made his mark in the IL Summer Derby championship game, finishing with two goals and showcasing his ability to consistently generate high-quality scoring chances. He doesn't just take shots—he manufactures them with poise, timing, and a sharp lacrosse IQ.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His first goal was a textbook example of reading the defense and manipulating the goalie. After catching a skip pass, Gruzas dropped his hands to sell the low shot, saw the goalie bite and drop, then calmly placed it top shelf. It was the kind of composed, deceptive finish that separates scorers from shooters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His second goal came off a perfectly timed off-ball cut with a defender on his back. He handled the pressure, increased his angle, and buried it in stride—demonstrating both toughness and body control. Gruzas continues to prove he's more than just a finisher—he's a smart, opportunistic scorer who rises to the moment.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["74699"],"_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-685c653fac4c6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='74699' first='Marco' last='Aquino'] made a strong impact in the IL Summer Derby championship game, finishing with two goals and showing exactly why he's a threat anytime the ball is in his stick. He impressed with his shiftiness, change-of-pace dodging, and ability to finish in tight quarters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aquino uses hesitation moves and change of speed to create separation, and he's comfortable dodging with either hand. Once he gets inside, he's confident and crafty, consistently finding ways to get his hands free and bury shots from close range.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His first goal was the definition of toughness. Dodging from the wing against a short stick, Aquino got topside, took a massive hit that knocked his helmet off, drew a flag—and still found the back of the net. It was a gritty, high-level play that fired up his teammates and put his competitiveness on full display. Aquino combines finesse with fearlessness, making him a tough cover and a dangerous offensive weapon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["33951"],"_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-685c653fac301"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='33951' first='Kamden' last='Clack'] looked like a man among boys at the IL Summer Derby. The Ohio State commit brought a commanding presence every time he touched the ball—forcing defenses to hold their breath and adjust their slides. With his combination of size, skill, and field vision, Clack was in total control.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a passer, Clack operates like a seasoned Division I quarterback. He throws skip passes with zip, touch, and accuracy—threading the needle through tight windows and using a variety of release points to keep defenses guessing. His ability to manipulate defenders with his eyes and deliver on-time passes is next-level. Though left-handed, Clack is equally dangerous going down the alley or sweeping with either hand, making it hard to tell which is his natural side. His balanced dodging and ability to create with both hands add another layer of unpredictability to his game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Clack's poise, IQ, and polished skill set made him one of the most complete offensive players on display—and a clear standout among a deep pool of talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Noah Garcia","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"147","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Webb School ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Team 91 Georgia","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-685d805c1be5b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Few players at the IL Summer Derby made a bigger statement at the faceoff stripe than Noah Garcia. On the first day, he put on a clinic against LI Sting—dominating so thoroughly that the opposing team resorted to putting a pole on him just to try and slow him down physically.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Garcia may not boast imposing size, but his quickness—in both his hands and feet—more than makes up for it. He consistently won clean clamps and pushed transition by popping the ball forward to himself. When teams adjusted to stop that, he didn't force it. Instead, Garcia smartly involved his wings, showing a high lacrosse IQ and unselfish play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Whether it was kickstarting fast breaks or grinding out tough possessions, Garcia was a tone-setter at the stripe. His mix of toughness, speed, and adaptability made him one of the top faceoff performers of the tournament. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->