NESCACs Strike Gold With Pennsylvania and New Jersey 2027s

One could make a compelling argument that the NESCAC is currently the top Division III lacrosse conference in the country. Lacrosse juggernaut Tufts has won three consecutive D3 national titles and Bowdoin advanced to the D3 Final Four in 2025 and 2026. Wesleyan played in the 2026 Final Four, too. Bates, Hamilton, Amherst, and Middlebury also participated in the 2026 D3 NCAA tournament.   So where do the coaching staffs from NESCAC schools go to restock their rosters with exceptionally talented prospects?   For the Class of 2027, NESCAC programs recruited Pennsylvania and New Jersey hard and based on the verbal commitments that have been announced over the last six weeks, it appears the NESCACs struck gold in those two neighboring states.   Amherst College   Amherst landed just one 2027 prospect from Pennsylvania and New Jersey, but that single verbal commitment came from versatile midfielder Brady Cozic of Delbarton. This past spring, Cozic used his quick burst and filthy two-handed stick skills to push Delbarton to the New Jersey Non-Public A state title.   Bates College   For their 2027 class, Bates pulled serious talent out of Pennsylvania. Episcopal Academy face off specialist [player_tooltip player_id='141479' first='Carson' last='Jakuc'] recently committed to Bates. This past spring Jakuc competed against a number of the best FOGOs in the country and more than held his own for nationally ranked EA. On defense, Bates landed Haverford School close defender / LSM [player_tooltip player_id='129831' first='Alex' last='Piasecki'] and Hill School long stick midfielder Noel Mendez. Piasecki is a highly decorated prospect with a high IQ and an active stick. Mendez's combination of speed and an aggressive stick work makes him a ground ball machine with elite scoop and go transition skills.     Coming to Bates from New Jersey in the Fall of 2027 will be defensemen Frankie Brown and Andrew Henson. Brown is an extraordinarily athletic pole with incredible footwork from South Jersey powerhouse St. Augustine Prep. Henson is a physical and speedy, 6-foot-2 prospect from New Jersey Non-Public A state champion Delbarton.     Bowdoin College   As of August 8th, Bowdoin was the only NESCAC school without a prospect from Pennsylvania and New Jersey in their 2027 recruiting class. However, the Polar Bears did land a few talented PA/NJ prospects in their 2026 class.     Colby College   Colby received a commitment from extremely impressive hybrid pole [player_tooltip player_id='177388' first='Whit' last='Lukens'] who will be a fantastic addition to their defensive ranks. Lukens is a long, athletic, and versatile defensive prospect who is a menacing on-ball defender. At the end of the 2026 season, Lukens garnered w2nd Team All-Central League honors.   Connecticut College   Connecticut College's coaching staff received commitments from two 2027 hidden gems out of Central Jersey. Hun School midfielder Anthony Peterson is a solidly built (6'0”; 190 lbs.) and fast midfielder who can get downhill for goals or assists. Matthew Comer is a highly regarded midfield prospect who excels in transition. Comer owns enough shake to cook defenders in 6v6 action, too. In his junior campaign at St. Joe's-Metuchen, Comer poured in 44 goals and was named to the 1st Team All-Greater Middlesex Conference.   Additionally, the Camels received a commitment from standout attackman [player_tooltip player_id='177166' first='Jack' last='Sheward'] of Penn Charter. Sheward is a right-handed attack with a quick burst, elusive moves, and a highly accurate shot. Sheward scored 25 goals and handed out 20 assists during the 2026 season.   Hamilton College   Hamilton College's 2027 recruiting class contains two elite defensive prospects out of New Jersey in Jackson Hays (Shawnee) and Kayden Khiabani (Seton Hall Prep). Hays is a dynamic athlete who possesses explosive speed, incredible agility, and polished footwork. Hays has mastered the art of delivering well timed and powerful stick checks that cause turnovers. Khiabani is a 6-foot-3 defensive force who will press out on ball carriers all the way to midfield. The combination of Khiabani's length and agility enables him to stay in front of opponents and turn them multiple times.     Middlebury College   Middlebury is another NESCAC program that tapped New Jersey's talent pool for two impact defensive players. The first prospect is Owen Anderson, a rangy 6'4” LSM / close defender with a high IQ. Anderson (Bergen Catholic) is an excellent team defender and a plus player on clears. The other Garden State defensive prospect Middlebury secured a commitment from is Carter Baker out of Delbarton. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Baker is a fantastic 1v1 defender and has displayed a deep understanding of team defensive concepts.   Trinity College   It appears the Trinity coaching staff logged some serious hours scouting and recruiting Pennsylvania and Jersey. The result was that the Bantams received verbals from seven prospects across the two states.   Four of those prospects came from the highly competitive Inter-Ac in Southeastern Pennsylvania. The Trinity coaching staff secured a pair of fast and skilled poles from Haverford School in LSM [player_tooltip player_id='200657' first='Peter' last='Halpert'] and close defenseman [player_tooltip player_id='200440' first='Nicholas' last='Shanahan']. Additionally, Trinity also landed Inter-Ac prospects House Young from Malvern Prep and [player_tooltip player_id='143428' first='Tripp' last='Murphy'] from Episcopal Academy. Young is a quick twitch attack who can generate offense from anywhere on the field. Murphy is a game changing FOGO with polished technique.     From the Garden State, Trinity pulled in two-way midfielder Benny Hurewitz from Don Bosco Prep, as well as 6-foot-4 goalie Kevin Cooke (Blair Academy) and Ramapo standout midfielder Chris Kerin.   Tufts University   The defending three-time national champions bolstered their roster with the addition of offensive midfielder Ryan Barnett out of Randolph High School in New Jersey. Barnett is a downhill dodger can score or distribute with both hands. During his junior campaign, Barnett posted an astonishing 61 goals to go along with 27 assists and was a 2nd Team NJ All-State selection.   Wesleyan University   In the fall of 2027, Wesleyan will bring in a group of recruits that will bolster the team at both ends of the field. On offense, two-way midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='171298' first='Stefan' last='Snyder'] of Hill School (PA) and attackman Colin Blekicki from Pingry (NJ) will be fantastic additions. Snyder can score or distribute on the fast break. In settled action, Snyder (31G & 29A in 2026) can sweep across the opposing defense to the middle of the field and then fire while on the run. Blekicki is a shifty attack with filthy shooting skills. During his junior season, Blekicki tallied 26 goals to go along with 34 assists.   At the defensive end of the field, Wesleyan received verbals from long stick midfielder Thomas Fobare and close defender Anthony Balzer. At 6-foot-2 and nearly 200 pounds, Fobare (Bergen Catholic) is an imposing defensive presence who can cause turnovers by overpowering his opponent or via crafty lifts and pokes. Fobare also has a knack for getting out in transition and eventually firing a shot into the back of the net. Balzer (Voorhees HS) stands 6-foot-2 and weighs around 200-pounds. Balzer's speed, physicality and active stick enable him to dominate opponents in 1v1 action.      Williams College   The Ephs added some serious firepower to their roster with their 2027 recruiting class. Midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='176780' first='Braedon' last='McPartland'] from Scranton Prep (PA) is an athletic prospect with electric stick skills who posted 63 goals as a junior. McPartland led Scranton Prep to the Wyoming Valley Conference title as well as the District 2-2A title. Additionally, McPartland was a 1st Team All-District 2 selection.   Williams will also bring attackman Ryan Scarpa into the fold for 2027. This attack from Scotch Plains is one of the most powerful and accurate shooters in New Jersey's rising senior class. In 2026, Scarpa recorded 44 goals and 23 dimes.

One could make a compelling argument that the NESCAC is currently the top Division III lacrosse conference in the country. Lacrosse juggernaut Tufts has won three consecutive D3 national titles and Bowdoin advanced to the D3 Final Four in 2025 and 2026. Wesleyan played in the 2026 Final Four, too. Bates, Hamilton, Amherst, and Middlebury also participated in the 2026 D3 NCAA tournament.