Class of 2027: Masters of the Two-Man Game

The two-man game might not always make the highlight reel, but it's one of the smartest and most effective ways to break down a defense—and these 2027 offensive players have mastered it. Whether they're setting a perfectly timed pick, slipping into space, or reading the defense to hit the open man, each of them showed an advanced feel for creating offense in tight spaces. These players prove that lacrosse IQ can be just as dangerous as pure speed or power.    Sim plays the two-man game with a level of IQ and precision rarely seen at this level. He's equally effective as a dodger and a picker, making him a constant problem for defenses. As a dodger, Sim manipulates his defender to come over picks, creating just enough separation for his dangerous shot on the run. He's also adept at finding his picker on slips or fly-bys, using subtle deception and avoiding the tell of staring down his target.   As a picker, Sim's timing and awareness are just as sharp. He slips into open space for clean step-down looks and knows exactly when to quick-slip behind the cage to open shooting lanes up the hashes. His consistent ability to generate high-quality chances in the two-man game is a clear sign that Sim operates on a different level than most players in his class.     Goodman is a slick and versatile player with a deep bag of offensive skills. He's quick, deceptive, and able to score in a variety of ways, with one of his best weapons being a lightning-fast release that often beats goalies to a spot. As a dodger, he changes pace and direction well, keeping defenders off balance, and his vision allows him to thread passes through tight windows with deception and varying release points. What really sets Goodman apart is his two-man game expertise as a picker. He communicates nonverbally, adjusts his positioning to ensure contact, and times his slips perfectly to exploit defensive breakdowns. Whether initiating or finishing, Goodman has the awareness and skill to consistently create high-quality chances—making him a dangerous presence in any offensive set.     McComb's box lacrosse background translates seamlessly to the field game. He's an elite finisher in tight, combining quick wrists with deceptive fakes to move goalies, yet he's equally dangerous from range. Off the ball, his timing is impeccable—he consistently finds soft spots in the defense, and his strong hands allow him to catch and finish even in heavy traffic.   In the two-man game, McComb's IQ shines even brighter. He uses picks with purpose, manipulating defenders to create space. As a picker, he has the awareness to recognize when to stick picks and when to slip to the cage, punishing switches with quick cuts. His blend of box-honed creativity and field precision makes him a constant scoring threat.     What stands out about Wieczorek is his combination of goal-scoring ability and shiftiness behind the cage. He consistently creates separation, using quick bursts and sharp changes of direction to get a step on his defender, whether it's to generate shots up the hashes or attack from the island. He's equally comfortable scoring with either hand, and his ability to place the ball accurately—even on backhanded attempts—adds another layer of difficulty for goalies.   When you add a pick to the equation, Wieczorek becomes even more dangerous. The extra wrinkle forces defenders to communicate multiple times behind the cage, which often results in him gaining an even bigger step. He's deceptive, smart, and tough to knock off his line, with the poise to finish plays under pressure. With his skill set and lacrosse IQ, Wieczorek projects as the type of attackman who can make an immediate impact at the Division I level.     The Ontario native brings a well-rounded skill set shaped by his box lacrosse background. While he's capable of being a high-level SSDM, he also has the offensive tools to play on the other side of the ball at the next level. He's a smooth dodger and shooter who can place the ball anywhere he wants on the run.   What truly sets him apart is his ability to manipulate defenders mid-dodge. He changes posture on a dime, lulling opponents into relaxing for just a split second before accelerating past them or snapping off a shot. When you add a pick into the equation, his craftiness becomes even more dangerous, as he uses posture changes and hesitations to force defenders over picks and create massive separation. His mix of box-honed deception and field-savvy execution makes him a nightmare to guard.     The 6'0 midfielder from St. Anthony's can impact an offense in multiple ways, but his work in the two-man game stood out most at Main Stage. Tuccillo was unselfish when matched up against a short stick, often using his size and timing to set hard picks near the goal line for his attackmen. While setting a pick is easy, rolling to the net with purpose is a skill that few players consistently display in the summer circuit—and Tuccillo executed it repeatedly, earning goals as a direct result.   Beyond the two-man game, Tuccillo is a skilled dodger and confident scorer. He initiates offense with smart setup moves, reads his matchup well, and can finish when the opportunity presents itself. His combination of IQ, toughness, and versatility makes him a well-rounded midfielder capable of making an impact in a variety of offensive sets.     The recent Air Force commit showed off his skills in the two-man game at Main Stage, with his pick-setting ability standing out as a key asset for a midfielder headed to the next level. Linton impressed as a picker by setting picks in dangerous spots near the goal line and showing the awareness to readjust his position to ensure he made solid contact with defenders.   Linton's game extends well beyond the two-man set—he's a skilled dodger and a dangerous shooter on the run. That offensive threat makes him an ideal initiator, capable of forcing defenses to react, and if a slide doesn't come on the first dodge, he has the craftiness to pull one with a re-dodge. Combine that with his two-man game savvy, and Linton is the kind of midfielder who can thrive in multiple offensive looks at the college level.     The Atlanta native is a fast-twitch playmaker who can impact an offense in a variety of ways. With the ball, he uses quick, decisive moves to create separation and has the vision to spot skip lanes out of his dodge. Off the ball, he's slippery, constantly moving and finding soft spots in the defense if his man loses focus for even a second.   One of his most valuable assets, especially as he looks to the next level, is his pick-setting ability. He's smart about placing picks in dangerous scoring areas, times his contact perfectly, and avoids costly moving pick violations. That combination of athleticism, IQ, and attention to detail makes him a dangerous offensive weapon in both on-ball and off-ball situations.     The West Coast product made a name for himself on the East Coast, impressing with ADVNC at Naptown and with Team PNW at the National All-Star Games. He does much of his damage near the goal line, where his vision shines. Off-ball, he consistently finds open space, making him a reliable scoring option. When finishing, he uses high-level deception—selling shots with his head, windup, and front step to freeze goalies.   His two-man game work below GLE is equally impressive. He's skilled at making his on-ball defender glance around to locate the picker, and by the time they do, he's already creating separation—either dodging to score or drawing a slide to feed an open cutter. His ability to combine deception, IQ, and timing makes him a constant threat in tight spaces.

The two-man game might not always make the highlight reel, but it's one of the smartest and most effective ways to break down a defense—and these 2027 offensive players have mastered it. Whether they're setting a perfectly timed pick, slipping into space, or reading the defense to hit the open man, each of them showed an advanced feel for creating offense in tight spaces. These players prove that lacrosse IQ can be just as dangerous as pure speed or power.