25 CIAC BOYS LACROSSE PLAYERS TO WATCH

Jack Balzi, New Milford, Jr. M: “If you’re looking strictly at short-stick defensive midfielders, there might not be a better one in the class,” NLF Rankings said of Balzi, a Sacred Heart commit who can contribute to the offense, too. He helped the Green Wave to the SWC final last year and helped the football team to its first CIAC playoff spot in the fall.

Dom Basti, Notre Dame-West Haven, Jr. M: Scored 72 goals and 29 assists last year to help the Green Knights to their first CIAC final. Committed to Sacred Heart, where dad Jon is lacrosse coach and brother Tyler is a football player.

Tyler Clark, Staples, Sr. A: A key piece of the defending champions’ offense; his overtime goal in the semifinals got the Wreckers that chance. Will play at Army. Was a first-team New Haven Register wide receiver.

Kyle Colsey, Ridgefield, Jr. A: “Matchup nightmare,” says another coach; “can shoot from anywhere.” Has been doing that for two years. All-America selection is committed to join brother Ryan at Virginia.

Patrick Coughlin, Amity, Jr. A: Vermont commit has been a big scorer for two years, helping the Spartans go undefeated through the regular season as a freshman. Sean Esslinger, Weston, Sr. FO: The Class S all-state faceoff player last year, he returns as a key part of a team seeking to defend the Class S title. Also the Trojans’ kicker and punter and a defensive back in the fall. Marco Firmender, Fairfield Prep, Sr. M: A 6-foot-2 middie, the Penn commit had 34 goals and 18 assists on the way to the Class L semifinals. Twice a GameTimeCT All-State selection and an All-America pick last spring. Tyler Fox, Fairfield Prep, Sr. A: Another big piece of the Jesuits’ offense, scored 46 goals and assisted on 19 others. A Boston University commit.

Peter Grandolfo, Fairfield Prep, Sr. M: A Bucknell commit, he’s a two-time all-state player who scored 25 goals last year.

Carter Hagen, Darien, Jr. G: Had some good performances splitting time with a senior last year. Committed to Loyola.

Matthew Jeffery, Cheshire, Jr. M: An All-American last year with 112 points for the Rams, he was the top-ranked player in his class by NLF Insider before committing to Notre Dame. Also a first-team defensive back on the New Haven Register All-State football team this fall. Will Kleine, Hand, Sr. A: A 100-point attackman last year, the lefty’s committed to Mount St. Mary’s.

Charles Kurtz, Cheshire, Sr. A: An All-American and a GameTimeCT All-State player, he helped the Rams to the Class M semis and the SCC final with 71 goals and 41 assists last year. UMass commit is also captain in football in the fall.

Spencer Liston, Wilton, Sr. FO: If the last day of last season proved anything, it’s that a top-flight faceoff man can change the whole thing. Liston is a guy who’s been highly regarded for a couple of years. Committed to Providence.

Josh Marcus, Staples, Soph. G: Your routine freshman goalie on a championship team last spring. NLF Rankings has him as the top-rated goalie recruit in his class. Gavin McCarthy, Fairfield Prep, Jr. LSM/D: A Bryant commit, he was an all-state pick last year and comes back well regarded.

Mac McGahren, Darien, Sr. D: Bucknell commit is a big part of a strong Blue Wave defense.

Michael Nealon, Staples, Sr. D: All-state and a tough leader on the state champions’ defense. He was also a third-team New Haven Register all-state linebacker last fall on a playoff team.

Brady Pokorny, Darien, Jr. A: Burst on the scene as a freshman; second-team all-state last year. Committed to Notre Dame.

Chris Reinhardt, Ridgefield, Sr. M: A 6-foot-3 middie and All-FCIAC football cornerback, he’s committed to Notre Dame.

Danny Shaban, Barlow, Sr. M: The 2022 New Haven Register football Player of the Year is going to UConn, but meanwhile will seek a third Class M all-state nod. Scored 45 goals last year.

Dillon Stephens, New Canaan, Jr. D: Two-year starter, 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, was first-team all-state in Class L and a second-team GameTimeCT all-stater. Committed to Syracuse.

Matthew Trimmer, Greenwich, Sr. D: Three-sport captain and a key player on the Cardinals’ football championship team, No. 1 in the GameTimeCT Top 10 Poll. He’s committed to Providence.

Ryan Weller, Canton, Sr. A: Two-time all-state attackman is committed to St. Anselm. Has scored 171 goals and 92 assists the past two seasons.

Jake Wilson, Darien, Sr. D: Strong, athletic (ran for 800 yards and 11 touchdowns in the fall) defender is committed to Loyola.