Mid-Atlantic 2028s: Five Sophs Ready to Turn Heads This Spring

The Class of 2028 was front and center this fall, but there's still plenty of ground left to cover. As spring approaches, here are five more Mid-Atlantic names with Top 100 potential:    This Marietta (Ga.) native plays with the kind of energy and confidence you love to see from young goalkeepers. A rare freshman starter for the Little Hoyas, he handled the highs and lows that come with such a demanding role in one of the nation's top private school leagues, and he'll inevitably take a huge step forward as a sophomore. Chari—whose brother is a sophomore at Georgetown—is wildly athletic and reactive, yet always under control and disciplined. Part of a strong one-two goalie punch for Thunder, he has a knack for making saves he seemingly has no business making. His athleticism also makes him a major asset outside the crease, and he could probably afford to be even more aggressive than he already is.     A tall, lanky lefty who takes up a significant portion of the cage, Gordon was a bright spot for the Crabs 2028s this fall and has continued to look the part with the Greyhounds at NHSLS since the summer. Utilizing a wide base, he remains patient and disciplined before the shot, while also showing the confidence to bait shooters when necessary—yet still putting himself in the right position to make the save. Gordon boasts excellent hands, consistently catching the ball cleanly and moving it quickly in transition, where his athleticism frequently shines. The MIAA grind can be unforgiving for young goalies, but while Gordon may have his work cut out for him this spring, he has more than enough talent to anchor a new-look Gilman backline.     With returning starter and current Richmond freshman Mark Botek sidelined by injury early in the season, Kelly was thrust into the starting lineup in March. He finished with 17 goals and 21 assists, seamlessly meshing with his linemates and letting the game come to him. An excellent shooter from range who also displayed soft hands inside, Kelly consistently knew when to press his matchup and when to move the ball, getting it out of his stick quickly and decisively. He's especially effective at drawing defensive attention and finding the open man, and he's a constant factor on the EMO and in the riding game. The type of player who doesn't need the ball to be successful, Kelly is nonetheless likely to be asked to shoulder a much larger load in 2026 after the Cardinals graduated much of their offensive contributors. Among the 2028 class, his lacrosse IQ is as good as it gets.     After getting his feet wet at the varsity level, O'Kane looks like he's primed to step into an increased role in 2026. When he gets matched up with a shortstick coming out of the box with a full head of steam, the ball tends to wind up in the back of the net more often than not. He's an above-average athlete with superb body control, possessing a strong repertoire of moves when dodging from both below and above GLE. O'Kane, whose older brother got significant PT as a Brown freshman, is incredibly crafty, smooth, and dynamic. He can bang shots from the wing, put an inside roll on his man from X, or serve as a party-starter out of the midfield. He made a plethora of plays and looks every bit of a sophomore ready to help the Fords defend their PAISAA title.     The fact that Varone hasn't been written up in recent months says more about the strength of his team than anything else, as he has looked every bit the part of a top middie in the class. An imposing shooter who consistently stretches defenses with his range, his power and accuracy stand out among his peers. With how well his team moves the ball and draws slides, Varone frequently finds himself open with his hands free—and he rarely misses when given that opportunity. He posted 23 goals and nine assists as a freshman, and it's easy to imagine what's in store for his sophomore season after gaining a significant amount of confidence this fall. I'm excited to follow his progress between now and the summer.

The Class of 2028 was front and center this fall, but there's still plenty of ground left to cover. As spring approaches, here are five more Mid-Atlantic names with Top 100 potential: