Pennsylvania Private School Teams To Scout This Fall

Below is a preview of three Pennsylvania PIAA private school teams that I will be watching closely during upcoming fall ball action.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">La Salle</h2>   The reigning PIAA 3A champions lost a fair amount of talent to graduation, including DI prospects such as midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='20999' first='Dylan' last='Malone'] (Duke), attackman [player_tooltip player_id='171424' first='Will' last='Trymbiski'] (Virginia), and close defender Cooper Heilig (Ohio State). However, the Explorers return a truckload of elite talent for this year. Therefore, I would consider La Salle the “way too early” favorite to win the 3A state title in 2027.   Quarterbacking the high-powered La Salle offense from up top will be senior midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='123227' first='Michael' last='Van Bastelaar'] (Notre Dame). Van Bastelaar will generate scoring chances by getting downhill in a flash and then scoring or distributing on the run. In 2027, we expect Van Bastelaar to be the frequent recipient of double teams. His ability to recognize that scheme and then swiftly move the ball to the open teammate will be key to La Salle's success this year.   Running with Van Bastelaar will be fellow seniors [player_tooltip player_id='142024' first='Luke' last='Weisel'] (Drexel) and [player_tooltip player_id='24476' first='Will' last='Carpentier'] (Mount St. Mary's). Weisel is an athletic, two-handed midfielder who can crank step downs as well as shots on the run. Carpentier is a dynamic lefty playmaker who can score off the dodge or work off-ball for goals. La Salle will also receive a significant scoring punch from a pair of high-profile 2028 attackmen in [player_tooltip player_id='177377' first='Mason' last='Smith'] (Robert Morris) and Jack Rynearson. The highly skilled, physically imposing Smith poured in eight goals during La Salle's state tournament quarterfinals win over Ridley. Rynearson is a left-hander with a quick burst and filthy stick skills who was recently named an All-Star at the One Percent Fall Uncommitted Showcase.   On defense, everything starts in the back with All-State goalie [player_tooltip player_id='143387' first='Roman' last='Ippoldo']. The Cornell commit was an absolute brick wall during La Salle's run to the 2026 state championship as he yielded only 4.7 goals per game in states. Working in front of Ippoldo will be menacing shortstick [player_tooltip player_id='171692' first='Tommy' last='Dwyer'] (Drexel), physical close defender [player_tooltip player_id='130089' first='Joseph' last='Morrissey'] (Washington College), standout 2028 pole [player_tooltip player_id='173664' first='Cavan' last='Stahl'] and sophomore phenom [player_tooltip player_id='165993' first='Logan' last='Cummins'].         *You can catch the La Salle Explorers in action at the Big Red Fall Classic, which is hosted by Lawrenceville School on November 21 and 22, 2026.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Scranton Prep</h2>   In 2026, Scranton Prep posted a monster season, winning twenty games, capturing the District 2-2A title, and advancing to the 2A state tournament semifinals. Good news: the Cavaliers return enough talent this year to duplicate that success and potentially win the 2A state title next June.   The Scranton Prep offense in 2026-27 will revolve around the McPartland brothers. [player_tooltip player_id='176780' first='Braedon' last='McPartland'] (Williams College) is a highly skilled midfielder with serious shake. His ability to blow past the initial defender in order to create scoring chances for himself or teammates is impressive. Braedon's younger brother [player_tooltip player_id='176858' first='Owen' last='McPartland'] is one of the most highly regarded 2029s in Pennsylvania. As a freshman, Owen used his slick change-of-direction moves and filthy stick skills to pour in 45 goals.   In addition to the McPartlands, senior attackman [player_tooltip player_id='173776' first='Mackey' last='Lynett'] (Scranton) will be a major offensive threat for Scranton Prep. Lynett is a lefty magician who has posted back-to-back 100-point seasons and was a 1st Team District 2 All-Star selection in 2026. Running with the McPartland brothers and Lynett will be a trio of talented 2028s in midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='215234' first='Quentin' last='Dempsey'], attack/midfield prospect [player_tooltip player_id='213032' first='Robert' last='Hogan'], and attackman Jimmy Black.     Spearheading the Bulldogs' defensive unit is LSM / close defender Donato Rinaldi. This versatile senior pole is a suffocating on-ball presence as well as a high-IQ off-ball defender. After the 2026 season, Rinaldi received 1st Team District 2 All-Star honors. SP's defense will also feature the talents of junior LSM / close defender [player_tooltip player_id='214892' first='Greyson' last='Simpson']. The athletic and rangy Simpson causes turnovers via powerful stick checks and by taking the body. Between the pipes will be returning starter [player_tooltip player_id='166333' first='Packy' last='James'] (Scranton), an agile netminder with fast hands and a highly decorated senior prospect who somehow continues to fly under the radar in Pennsylvania.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Shady Side Academy</h2>   Last spring, Shady Side captured the WPIAL Class 3A title and advanced to the quarterfinals of the PIAA 3A state tournament. For the 2026-227 academic year, the Bulldogs return enough talent to repeat as WPIAL champions and then advance even further in the 3A state tourney bracket.   In 2026-27, Shady Side will lean heavily on its star-studded and stingy defense. Anchoring that unit will be a trio of versatile DI poles in [player_tooltip player_id='129645' first='Sawyer' last='Krotine'] (Hobart), [player_tooltip player_id='177110' first='Jackson' last='Dwyer'] (Providence), and [player_tooltip player_id='171993' first='Landon' last='Tierney'] (St. Joe's). Krotine is long and high IQ 2027 prospect with a lively stick and an extremely aggressive style. Fellow senior Dwyer possesses an incredible combination of speed, size, footwork, and an active stick. That impressive list of assets allows Dwyer to consistently disrupt opposing offenses. Meanwhile, Tierney is an athletic, fleet-footed, and versatile junior pole with an enormous wingspan. Tierney's to stay glued to ball carriers for long stretches and turn them frequently is next level.   Holding it down at midfield for Shady Side will be three two-way prospects. First up is senior [player_tooltip player_id='172564' first='Clark' last='Henne'] (Gettysburg). Henne is an agile, explosive, and shifty scoring machine with filthy stick skills. His scoop-and-go skills are remarkable. Next is multi-skilled junior [player_tooltip player_id='172070' first='Jay' last='Mohn']. This athletic midfielder is a transition demon as he can quickly turn defensive stops into high-percentage scoring chances. Running with those two will be [player_tooltip player_id='166470' first='Cash' last='Fetsco']. Fetsco is another junior middy who can scoop a GB or receive an outlet pass and then push the transition game. Fetsco's serious shake and elite shooting skills make him a matchup nightmare in 6v6 action, too.       At attack, the Bulldogs will feature the tandem of senior Noah Rosenfeld (Chatham) and junior [player_tooltip player_id='201251' first='Hudson' last='Yates']. Rosenfeld is a lefty with significant box experience, so you know he can score in bunches. Yates is a 6-foot-2 lefty prospect with a solid frame and extremely polished stick skills. Yates can torch opposing defenses from all three attack spots, but he is especially dangerous when he initiates from the wing. 2028 attack prospect Devin Kilpela should make major contributions too.     (*You can watch the Shady Side in action this fall at NHSLS in Maryland on November 21 and 22, 2026.)

Below is a preview of three Pennsylvania PIAA private school teams that I will be watching closely during upcoming fall ball action.