Defense in the DMV: Juniors to Watch This Spring

Top defensive talent keeps emerging from the DMV, and several juniors are ready to display their skill sets this spring. Here are five players—two uncommitted and three committed—worth keeping a close eye on.    [player_tooltip player_id='174193' first='Kane' last='Green'] is one of those defenders you don't always notice, but the longer you watch him, the more his skills stand out. The lefty may be slightly undersized, but his strength and fundamental defense more than make up for it.   His approach game sets the tone. Green uses calculated angles and deliberate pressure to disrupt dodgers before they can even get into rhythm. His low center of gravity and upper-body strength enable him to jam opponents off their lines, making life difficult for both GLE and opponents in the middle of the field. When it's his turn to slide, he stays fundamentally sound, taking great angles and applying just the right amount of pressure to force turnovers without overcommitting. The Brown commit plays with consistency that every high-level defense needs, and he's absolutely a must-watch player in the DMV this spring.     It's surprising that Ben Phillips hasn't drawn more attention from us at Prep Lacrosse after the fall and summer he put together. He's a strong bruiser on the defensive end— physical and unbothered by contact. His strength and physicality allow him to smother quick dodgers before they build momentum, and few power dodgers can outmuscle him.   At the Terp Classic this fall, Phillips was a force near the goal line, consistently holding his ground and forcing ball carriers to abandon their dodge and move the ball in search of a softer matchup. Similar to a linebacker hitting the hole in football, he is not a player you want to see coming your way on a slide, as he will make dodgers regret their decisions. In the open field, he shows poise with the ball, handling it cleanly through pressure to secure clears without unnecessary risks.     Mercyhurst landed a steal with [player_tooltip player_id='174191' first='Daniel' last='Cecere'], one of the more entertaining LSMs in the DMV. He's electric to watch—constantly pressuring out, landing highlight-reel checks, and pushing the tempo in transition. Between the lines, he hunts ball carriers, turning every lazy possession into an opportunity to create chaos and cause turnovers.   In one-on-one matchups, Cecere brings the flash and fundamentals. He isn't just a takeaway artist; he matches feet, uses his body well, and maintains control even when throwing those big checks. His ability to run shifts as an SSDM speaks to how complete his defensive skill set is—he can jam quick dodgers, close space, and win matchups without always relying on his stick. When the play flips to offense, Cecere remains a threat. His stick skills are sharp, he's confident in the open field, and he draws slides effectively—all while showing he can finish, as he proved at the Terp Classic this fall.     The uncommitted defender from Virginia has proven that size shouldn't define his evaluation. This fall at the Terp Classic, Vilasi repeatedly held his ground near the goal line, making it clear that you can't judge this book by its cover. His athleticism and footwork are what give him next-level potential—traits that will catch the eye of college coaches looking for defenders who can move.   <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reels/DQxH-eYkV6W/">Vilasi mirrors change-of-direction dodgers extremely well, staying balanced and disciplined even against shifty matchups.</a> His quickness shows up a lot—whether sliding, scooping ground balls, or pushing the ball upfield in transition. Off ball, he's fundamentally sound and displays high defensive IQ when he cuts off skip lanes and times his slides to perfection.     [player_tooltip player_id='174188' first='Jack' last='Clark'] is one of the top uncommitted junior goalies in the DMV, combining quick hands and pinpoint outlets that give him a solid base heading into the spring. He plays out of a low, loaded stance that lets him explode high and take away the top shelf with confidence. Inside, Clark's reflexes are locked down — he's able to track fakes, stay patient, and still smother point-blank finishers. For teams looking for a goalie who can spark transition, Clark fits the mold perfectly. His vision is impressive, consistently hitting midfielders in stride with 30-yard darts that start the break instantly. While his approach can look unorthodox on high-pressure shots — he's known to step higher in his arc than most — his pure reaction speed and willingness to challenge shooters make it clear he's got legitimate next-level upside.

Top defensive talent keeps emerging from the DMV, and several juniors are ready to display their skill sets this spring. Here are five players—two uncommitted and three committed—worth keeping a close eye on.