Follow the NLF on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and Facebook. We are previewing 2022 AA and 2023 AA teams playing in this weekend’s NLF National Championships.
Top 2022 Commits
NLF No. 1 Joey Spallina, attack, Mount Sinai (N.Y.) / Syracuse
NLF No. 12 Brock Behrman, attack, Niskayuna (N.Y.) / Notre Dame
NLF No. 43 Dylan Sageder, LSM, Mount Sinai (N.Y.) / Syracuse
Jameson Smith, midfield, Bayport-Blue Point (N.Y.) / Johns Hopkins
Gavin Locascio, midfield, Bayport-Blue Point (N.Y.) / UMass
Top 2022 Uncommitted Players
NLF No. 58 Bryce Pang, goalie, Deerfield (Mass.)
Pang has continued to develop his game and he’s always shown the ability to elevate his play in big games. A poised, collected keeper who tosses nice outlets, Pang is one of the better uncommitted goalies in the class.
Troy Donaghy, midfield, Wantagh (N.Y.)
Donaghy returned from injury to give Wantagh a little offensive pop from its midfield with an 11-goal, 16-point campaign. His work ethic is never in question, and he loves to mix it up defensively and get the ball out and up in transition.
Top 2023 Players
2023 Bandits
NLF No. 2 Leo Hoffman, midfield, Brunswick (Conn.)
Perhaps the most complete midfielder in the class, Hoffman is elite everywhere on the field. He can score, pass, play great defense and leave everyone in the dust in transition. His compete level is off the charts. Hoffman’s first step is the stuff of nightmares for defenders, and his overall skill set is what allowed him to see a ton of time for Brunswick’s stacked squad this spring. Every school in the country wants Hoffman.
NLF No. 5 Owen Duffy, attack, St. Anthony’s (N.Y.)
Duffy’s game has been trending way up in the past 18 months or so. This spring, he emerged as the Friars’ No. 1 attackman, compiling a wonderfully-balanced 25-goal, 24-assist sophomore campaign, including a 7-goal performance in a win over rival Chaminade. A cerebral, high-IQ attackman who can beat you in a bunch of ways, Duffy has been lights-out everywhere he’s played this summer.
NLF No. 13 Jack Ponzio, attack, St. Anthony’s (N.Y.)
A solidly-built lefty who’s just fine with bulldozing a path to the cage for himself, Ponzio looks like he’s added a little bit more passing to his repertoire. Getting him the rock inside is a very sound offensive strategy and it’s his ability to finish that will keep his phone buzzing on 9.1. and beyond. He primarily played midfield for the Friars this year, adding another wrinkle to his game, and posted a solid seven-goal, seven-assist year for one of the best teams in the country at a new position.
2023 Warriors
Ronan Fitzpatrick, attack, Sayville
You have to know where Fitzpatrick is at all times. He’s not an enormous attackman, but he packs a ton of power into his lefty shooting stroke. He carved up defenses for 51 goals and 13 assists this year as a Sayville sophomore, and he’s also constantly getting better at creating his own shot.
Joseph Forchelli, midfield, MacArthur
Forchelli’s the type of midfielder that every team needs. He exudes grit and toughness, gets out between the lines and can sling it a little bit, too. Forchelli popped off for 22 goals and four helpers this spring en route to All-Nassau County honors. A bowling-ball type midfielder, he sets the tone for the Warriors team with how he plays.
Michael Cassano, defense, MacArthur
Another tough-as-nails MacArthur All-Nassau selection, Cassano never shortchanges you in the effort department. He’s always ready to go and has that tenacity that coaches love. He’s a quietly effective cover man who thrives at keeping his man at bay.
