Must-Know X-Factors On The Garden State’s Preseason Top 5 Teams

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Following my piece <a href="https://preplacrosse.com/2026/02/x-factors-on-the-garden-states-preseason-top-10-teams/"><span style="text-decoration: underline">breaking down the top 6 through 10 teams in New Jersey and an X-Factor for each</span></a>, we now shift focus to the top 5 teams in a state that is exploding with high-level talent and top recruits looking to leave their mark on the 2026 spring season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Each of these teams had an immense amount of success last year and are looking to showcase why they deserve the hype heading into this 2026 spring season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"22px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:22px">#1&nbsp;<strong>Lawrenceville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>2025 record:</strong> 17-3<br><strong>X-Factor:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='16730' first='Jett' last='Stake'] (Jr.)<br><strong>Overview:</strong> The Big Red are regarded as one of, if not the best, teams in the country as they secured their third straight Prep National Championship vs Salisbury (Conn.) in a 12-4 rout last spring. While they did graduate a few offensive weapons, they are a well-oiled machine when it comes to developing and reloading talent on both sides of the ball. Offensively, they will look to rely heavily on a host of seasoned players such as seniors [player_tooltip player_id='16726' first='Adam' last='Ponting'] (Princeton) and [player_tooltip player_id='16729' first='Jake' last='Sturtevant'] (Michigan), along with junior [player_tooltip player_id='16721' first='Malcolm' last='Richardson'] (Penn State) and sophomore star attackman [player_tooltip player_id='36028' first='Harrison' last='Tyler'] who have all had a ton of experience producing for their team against top talent in the nation. At the X, junior Colgate commit, <a href="https://preplacrosse.com/player/aedan-bishai/"><span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>Aedan Bishai</strong></span></a> will look to stay effective and efficient accompanied by freshman FOGO [player_tooltip player_id='169220' first='Beau' last='Dillmeier'] who had a great showing in his playing time at the Big Red Fall Classic. Defensively, Lawrenceville is led by my X-Factor, junior goaltender [player_tooltip player_id='16730' first='Jett' last='Stake'] (North Carolina), who bursted onto the scene last spring and played a huge role in their 3-peat with his high energy and athletic ability between the pipes. Surrounding Stake will be a ton of upperclassmen talent starting with junior down-defensemen [player_tooltip player_id='121313' first='Sean' last='Currie'] (Virginia), Sam Vachris (Denver) and [player_tooltip player_id='121315' first='Luke' last='St. Pierre'] (North Carolina) along with senior LSM [player_tooltip player_id='16777' first='Wyatt' last='Stamnes'] (Michigan). Lawrenceville plays with speed, physicality and precision in all phases of the game which is going to help them if they're going to take down the top teams in the nation for a fourth straight year.<br><strong>Notable Matchups:</strong><br>3/19 @ Calvert Hall (Md.)<br>3/28 @ Malvern Prep (Pa.)<br>4/8 vs. Brunswick (Conn.)<br>4/25 vs. St. Anthony's (N.Y.)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"22px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:22px">#2&nbsp;<strong>Seton Hall Prep</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>2025 Record:</strong> 19-3<br><strong>X-Factor:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='24393' first='Lucas' last='Angel'] (Sr.)<br><strong>Overview:</strong> The Pirates capped off their outstanding 2025 spring season as Non-Public state champions vs. Don Bosco Prep and secured their first ever Kirst Cup title as they beat Westfield, 8-5 in a tightly contested battle. They will try to reload an offense that averaged just under 13 goals per game last spring and will look to senior attackmen [player_tooltip player_id='24402' first='Owen' last='Dunleavy'] (UMBC) and Bryce Pfeffer (UMBC) to lead the charge along with juniors [player_tooltip player_id='123945' first='Jack' last='Merklinger'] (Georgetown) and [player_tooltip player_id='113110' first='Alex' last='Ante'] (Stony Brook) among others. With FOGO Teddy Coyle having graduated, my X-Factor, senior [player_tooltip player_id='24393' first='Lucas' last='Angel'] (Fairfield) will be taking the reigns after finishing last year winning 121 face-offs at a 71% clip and he will be looking to build off of his past experiences and control the X this spring in big moments down the stretch. Defensively, it is currently unclear who will replace Conor Keenan in cage, but seniors [player_tooltip player_id='17564' first='Brennan' last='Lyons'], Nixon Purnell and junior Jude Nippes all saw time in the Big Red Fall Classic and will continue to battle for the starting job for the reigning champs. Defending the cage, Seton Hall Prep returns upperclass defensemen [player_tooltip player_id='121228' first='Jagger' last='Zemachson'] (Duke), [player_tooltip player_id='45387' first='Sean' last='Hayes'] (High Point) and [player_tooltip player_id='143683' first='Drew' last='Rothman'] who each played a pivotal role in the Pirates deep playoff push last spring. Although Seton Hall Prep graduated a lot of key contributors from last spring, I think with their coaching and development of players, there could be a couple of young stars ready to make their presence felt in this 2026 campaign.<br><strong>Notable Matchups:</strong><br>TBD</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"22px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:22px">#3&nbsp;<strong>Westfield</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>2025 Record:</strong> 18-6<br><strong>X-Factor:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='120530' first='Koby' last='Waldman'] (Jr.)<br><strong>Overview:</strong> The Blue Devils had a phenomenal season last spring as they finished as Group 4 state champions for the second straight year in a 13-2 blowout win vs. Kingsway which led to another Kirst Cup appearance where they took down Summit in 2OT in the semifinal round, before eventually losing to Seton Hall Prep in the Kirst Cup finals. They will be looking to repeat as state champions for a third year in a row, but with the slew of offensive firepower that graduated, I think they'll be looking to my X-Factor, junior attackman [player_tooltip player_id='120530' first='Koby' last='Waldman'] (Cornell) who finished tied for 3rd on the team with 44 points and will definitely be thrusted into a larger role for this offensive unit this year. Fellow classmates, Harrison Rekemeier (Hobart) and [player_tooltip player_id='165441' first='Kieran' last='Gerne'] will also undoubtably see more playing time and will look to build off of their experience in past years and dominate opposing defenses. At the face-off X, senior Oliver Kocaj seems in position to take the majority of draws after tallying 62 wins at a 43% win rate last spring while splitting time and will want to stay more consistent and efficient for Westfield to control tempo late in games. In cage, they make look upon junior Tyson Varner who appeared in 7 games last spring and tallied 11 saves in that time, but defensively they return a solid and experienced core consisting of guys like seniors [player_tooltip player_id='24399' first='Ben' last='Seward'] (Stevens) and SSDM Luke Spaide (Tampa) as well as junior [player_tooltip player_id='171750' first='Jack' last='Schwarzenbek'] who all contributed strong production for a defense that allowed only four teams to score double digits on them last season. They will look to replicate that as they look for a 3-peat this spring.<br><strong>Notable Matchups:</strong><br>TBD</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"22px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:22px">#4&nbsp;<strong>Don Bosco Prep</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>2025 Record:</strong> 17-7<br><strong>X-Factor:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='17484' first='John' last='Devir'] (Sr.)<br><strong>Overview:</strong> The Ironmen are out for revenge this year after battling hard last season against some fierce competition, but ultimately falling short in the Non-Public state championship to Seton Hall Prep. They will be returning a bunch of offensive difference-makers and key contributors from a season ago, none more promising than my X-Factor, senior midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='17484' first='John' last='Devir'] (Yale). Devir recorded 33 goals and 17 assists and initiated a ton of offense with his slick dodging abilities and marksmen shooting skills. Other impact players to look for include fellow seniors Brady Kushner (Loyola), Hudson Villaruel (Sacred Heart) and junior [player_tooltip player_id='142782' first='Dash' last='Lane'] (Richmond) who each eclipsed over 30 points last season and will look to improve upon those numbers to get back on top. With Scott Conte having graduated, senior FOGO [player_tooltip player_id='123056' first='William' last='Lugo'] looks to be in line for the majority of draws after winning 77 face-offs at a 69% rate last spring and in between the pipes, senior goaltender [player_tooltip player_id='82243' first='Brody' last='Corey'] (Rutgers) seems likely to take the reigns after appearing in 12 games and recording 82 saves while splitting time. Defensively, seniors [player_tooltip player_id='45464' first='Michael' last='Marino'] (Richmond), [player_tooltip player_id='16803' first='Justin' last='Bossolina'] (Virginia), and [player_tooltip player_id='123374' first='Aidan' last='Kang'] (Swarthmore) will headline a lockdown unit that allowed only four teams to put up double digits goals on them last year and will want to keep up with that production if they're looking to get back to the state finals and claim that title for the third time in just five years.<br><strong>Notable Matchups:</strong><br>3/31 vs. Chaminade (N.Y.)<br>4/12 vs. IMG Academy (F.L.)<br>4/15 @ St. Anthony's (N.Y.)<br>4/21 @ Chatham</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"22px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:22px">#5&nbsp;<strong>Delbarton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>2025 Record:</strong> 19-3<br><strong>X-Factor:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='121825' first='Brandon' last='Fodor'] (Jr.)<br><strong>Overview:</strong> Last spring the Green Wave were recognized as one of the top teams nationally during a great mid-season run, but came up just short in the Non-Public semifinal round vs. Don Bosco Prep to end their season. This year there is no doubt they will be hungry and looking to avenge that loss with multiple key playmakers returning on both ends of the ball. Offensively, my X-Factor, junior [player_tooltip player_id='121825' first='Brandon' last='Fodor'] (Johns Hopkins) will look to lead the charge after finishing 3rd on the team with 38 points and acting as the facilitator with his elite dodging abilities and high lacrosse IQ. He will be accompanied by fellow seniors [player_tooltip player_id='37831' first='Jack' last='Sheridan'] (Bucknell), [player_tooltip player_id='17442' first='Pierce' last='Bolger'] (Brown) and and Chase Houser (High Point) among others ready to step into expanded roles for this high-powered offensive unit that averaged just about 12 goals per game last spring. They have options at the face-off X, with the likely starter being senior [player_tooltip player_id='25528' first='Christian' last='Troczynski'] (Cornell) who won 125 draws at a 63% clip and has shown be a threat with the ball offensively, but they also have juniors [player_tooltip player_id='143645' first='Kane' last='Quenault'] (Notre Dame) and [player_tooltip player_id='141501' first='Jesse' last='DeNegri'] (Johns Hopkins) who will both see action at some point as well. In cage, it is unclear who the starter will be, but senior Frank Zupa saw limited action last year and could play his way into the starting role come springtime. The defensive unit lost a few impact players, but upperclassmen [player_tooltip player_id='17245' first='Dara' last='Corr'] (Cornell), [player_tooltip player_id='123560' first='John' last='Fodor'] (Johns Hopkins) and [player_tooltip player_id='121207' first='Carter' last='Baker'] will look to pick up where they left off, holding many teams to low goal totals with stifling pressure and communication which will be pivotal if Delbarton can catch fire again this spring and ride that through the playoffs and to the top of the mountain.<br><strong>Notable Matchups:</strong><br>3/25 @ Brunswick (Conn.)<br>4/4 @ St. Anthony's (N.Y.)<br>4/18 @ Seton Hall Prep<br>4/25 @ Malvern Prep (Pa.)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->