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Jack Lancelot‘s road to playing with the Crabs, an NLF founding member and one of the best clubs in the country, was unorthodox.
The Florida native has been teammates with Crabs 2026 four-star standout and Ohio State commit James Finch for a long time. Finch started playing for the Crabs in middle school. When the team found itself in the market for a midfielder, Finch mentioned his friend’s name to coach and Crabs founder Ryan McClernan.
“I just took the opportunity,” Lancelot said. “It opened my eyes to how the level of play up north is significantly higher. Being able to start playing with the Crabs in eighth grade has constantly improved my game tremendously.”
Lancelot is one of the few 2026 Crabs that remain on the recruiting board. If he keeps playing the way he did this spring, though, that won’t last long. He was instrumental in helping St. Thomas Aquinas win a state championship. The Raiders posted a 21-3 mark, with two losses (Boys’ Latin, Md. and fellow Florida state champ Benjamin in overtime) coming by a goal and another close loss to MIAA semifinalist McDonogh.
Two-Way Force
Lancelot’s game took a major step forward with the Raiders when he was tasked with playing more defense than before. He led STA in midfield scoring, but also showed that he could be a reliable defensive option. Lancelot credits assistant coach and former pro and college coach Dave Cottle for that. Becoming a two-way midfielder is also sure to launch him up some recruiting boards as he aims to find a home.
“Being a two-way middie is a great attribute to have,” Lancelot said. “Obviously, my goal this summer is to get committed, but I’m confident and I’m in a good place. As long as I go out there and play my game, something good will happen.”
“Jack’s a really nice athlete who has a left-handed rocket,” McClernan said. “He can invert, he turns the corner and scores, and he had a big year for St. Thomas Aquinas. I’m excited to see him get out there and make a big impact for our excellent Crabs 2026 team.”
Crabs Top Uncommitted 2026s
Brooks Peterson, LSM, Loyola Blakefield (Md.)
An under-the-radar pole at a school stacked with a high-level defense, Peterson makes a ton of plays for the Crabs with his tenacity and ability to cleanly pick up ground balls off the carpet.
AJ Basile, midfield, Central York (Pa.)
A do-it-all spark plug for the Crabs, he also doubles as an emotional leader for the team. Basile’s undersized, but he makes up for it with a ton of grit, toughness and desire. He’s also got plenty of offensive skill, as evidenced by his 40 goals this season in leading Central York to a PIAA tournament berth.
Crabs Top 2027s
TJ Shaw, attack, Boys’ Latin (Md.)
The lefty started at lefty attack and played on the EMO for a very young Lakers team this spring. He had an impressive 34-17-51 stat line. A smart, heady player, he’s got some range on his shot and can also feed well. Shaw excels at finding open space off-ball.
Evan March, defense, St. Paul’s (Md.)
March is going to be a four-year contributor, never an easy feat in the MIAA. He gobbled up 58 ground balls and caused 19 turnovers as a sophomore for St. Paul’s. At about 6 feet and 190 pounds, he’s got the frame and strength to overpower attackmen. The lefty also does a great job of picking up ground balls and getting the ball up and out.
Connor Cook, attack/midfield, St. Paul’s (Md.)
Cook physically looks the part as he carries a 6-2, 185-pound frame. He can absolutely bring the heat with his shot. Cook also sees the field well and has varsity experience with St. Paul’s after putting up 20 goals and nine assists as a sophomore.
TC Goodman, attack, McDonogh (Md.)
Goodman started for the Eagles as a sophomore, a nod to his talent when he was chosen to run alongside five-stars Brendan Millon and Hunter Metz. He produced, too, with 25 goals and 18 assists. A high IQ player still filling out physically, Goodman gets open off-ball and can finish inside. He also showed off some range at times this spring.
Tommy Malfa, midfield, Gilman (Md.)
Malfa is able to do a lot of different things to help his team win. He’s grown a lot in the past year or so and now checks in at around 6-2. He’s good enough defensively to run at SSDM while also skilled enough to give some offensive pop out of the midfield. He played a wealth of different roles for the Greyhounds and is primed for a big summer.
Crabs Top 2028s
Aiden Fournier, attack/midfield, McDonogh (Md.)
It’s rare to see a freshman earn significant minutes for a powerhouse like the Eagles. Fournier’s one of the top players in the freshman class for a reason, though. He’s a fantastic finisher with soft hands. He’s always got his hands and eyes up and ready to make a play.
Max Sweeney, midfield, Boys’ Latin (Md.)
Sweeney earned a spot on the varsity roster for the Lakers as a freshman. A lefty middie with good size, he runs well and is a scoring threat out of the midfield with his shooting stroke.
Logan Gordon, goalie, Gilman (Md.)
Gordon gives the Crabs a chance to win any game with his presence in between the pipes. He’s a very talented stopper with good hands, and he’s also advanced in the clearing game for a freshman.
