2020 Event Recap
The idea that took root last fall was simple in conception if complex in execution: A lacrosse tournament that brought together the best players in the nation, from every corner of the growing American lacrosse scene, to represent their regions. Friends would become rivals, rivals would become teammates, the best would test themselves against the best, against players they might not ordinarily see in the summer tournament circuit.
Jacob Pacheco, 2023
All that was before anyone knew what COVID-19 was, before date changes, location changes, tryout alterations, before lockdowns and social distancing.
Despite all those obstacles and thanks to a monumental effort from partners across the country, the first annual National All-Star Games completed a successful first installment last week, bringing more than 800 players from 32 states plus the District of Columbia to Maryland for a lacrosse-filled weekend, a one-of-a-kind tournament of 77 games in three classes to crown champions.
The tournament, originally scheduled for July and undergoing several (including one last-minute) venue changes, was a testament to the devotion of the national lacrosse community, says National All-Star Games founder Ryan McClernan.
“It was a logistical challenge, with date changes and location changes and the stress and planning that goes into it as you’re watching quarantine status in different states and COVID numbers for months and months,” McClernan says. “I feel a deep appreciation for the community that did support us and their flexibility in believing in and supporting this first-year venture. The regional partners’ ability to connect with club coaches, high school coaches and lacrosse leaders in their communities was outstanding, and it allowed us to identify a wide range of players. Their commitment to promoting the players in their regions was truly special.”
The changes wrought by COVID-19 led to deviations from the original plan in many respects. Originally, tryouts had been scheduled in each of 14 regions, starting in February. Some went ahead, but others turned to a hybrid tryout-invitation model as local public health conditions mandated.
The central mission, though, remained steady. Despite the on-the-fly changes, the best of the best still made it to Maryland, with players in the Classes of 2021 and 2022 committed to a who’s who of top college programs, and plenty of talented 2023s sure to follow once their recruitment opens.
Jackie Weller, 2023
From powerhouse clubs with a dozen or more participants to smaller clubs with just one or two reps, the Games were all about getting as many elite players as possible. Along the way, new friendships were formed and old ones solidified.
“The friendship that is typical of our sport is different than some other sports,” said McClernan, who founded Baltimore Crabs more than 30 years ago. “The camaraderie across regions, the players that know each other from camps or showcases or events, there’s so much cross-pollination in the lacrosse world. And the National All-Star Games is proud to be a part of that landscape.”
The competition on the field at Carsin’s Run presented the first slate of champions, with DMV taking the 2021 and 2023 titles and Maryland earning the 2022 championship. A few of the standouts from the tournament (Information is Player, Region, Position (High School/Club program or programs/College commitment if applicable)):
Class of 2021
Gregg Dennison, New England, LSM (Rivers School/Fighting Clams/Providence)
The New England squad’s strength was defense, and Dennison was a big part. Dennison did the job on the ground and clearing the zone in transition. With decent size at 6-foot, good quickness and an active stick in passing lanes, the NE defense allowed 20 goals in its first two games then nine in its final two, compiling a 2-2 record.
Lucas Delgado, Connecticut, midfield (Brunswick/Eclipse/Michigan)
Delgado was fantastic in the championship game for Connecticut, nearly willing his team to a win with his play all over the field. He was particularly good during several extended DMV possessions, often winning his 1v1 battle and making his man pass out of matchups. He also had a couple of impressive transition plays, but his best play was the game-tying goal to send the game to overtime. Delgado took a feed from Eclipse teammate Leo Johnson (Avon Old Farms/Yale), ducked under a check, tripped over the defender's foot and still managed to pick the far corner while falling.
Connor Davis, DMV, attack (Bullis/DC Express/Bucknell)
There was plenty of balance in the DMV attack. But Davis’s contributions Saturday were the biggest reason why they were in a position to lift the trophy on Sunday. He scored six goals in the group games, including a two-goal outing to down Mid-America and a hat trick against New England. He’s an outstanding catch-and-shoot option but showed a full arsenal of ways to create openings to shoot.
Michael Bath, DMV, LSM (Gonzaga/MadLax Capital/Princeton)
By law, an LSM who wins a game with a buzzer-beating goal has to be on here. Bath was part of a clutch effort from DMV, which won a pair of 7-6 games on Sunday. The latter came courtesy of Bath, who found a soft spot in transition, turned to receive a pass and whipped it home to beat Connecticut. The Princeton commit’s stick skills mean you have to account for him at all times on the offensive end. The winner was one of two goals he scored against Connecticut and four (plus an assist) in the tourney.
Henry Tolker, Maryland, attack (Loyola Blakefield/Crabs/Navy)
Leave the lefty attackman alone and he will punish you, but it’s more than just his shot you have to be wary of. The Maryland squad scored 29 goals in four games; Tolker had a hand in 13 (eight goals, five assists). Burying a hat trick against Mid-America North is what you may expect. But the two goals and three assists against Mid-America show the perils of selling out on Tolker’s shot. He’s got the passing touch to move the ball and make you pay via a teammate.
Cameron Goodloe, DMV, goalie (Chantilly High/MadLax Capital/Michigan)
The MVP of the final, Goodloe led a DMV team that went 5-0, all of the wins by three goals or fewer. They managed a pair of one-goal wins Sunday, topping West and Connecticut by 7-6 scores. Goodloe was in net in the second half against Connecticut, making enough saves to stem the tide of a furious comeback. He’s a quick mover for his large frame, able to get low to smother shots. The winning goal against Connecticut also started with his outlet, finding Dakota Eierman to set up Michael Bath.
Miles Botkiss, Pacific West, midfield (Torrey Pines/West Coast Starz/Harvard)
Miles Botkis, 2021
The West team was loaded with Stars, earning a spot in the semifinals. Botkiss in particular is intriguing. The 6-foot lefty has an outstanding shot and is capable of creating off the dodge, a blend of strength and guile with the ball. He had a goal and an assist in the one-goal loss to DMV, and two and one in routing New Jersey.
Zach Travaglini, New England, attack (Belmont Hills/Laxachusetts/Boston)
Zach Travaglini, 2021
The lefty was part of a Laxachusetts core of the NE attack, with plenty of players sharing the load. Travaglini showed he could do a little of everything, with two games of a goal and two assists after burying two goals in the opener vs. DMV. Travaglini isn’t the biggest or fastest attackman, but he’s got a strong upper body and the elusiveness to create separation to get off a quick release.
Leo Johnson, Connecticut, attack (Avon Old Farms/Eclipse/Yale)
The Yale commit is the total attacking package: Laser shot, quickness in his low-to-the-ground frame, passing vision and a ridiculous array of moves to create that sliver of space to fire off a shot. He’s the kind of player that garners enough attention to create space for teammates. Johnson worked well in the Connecticut attack on the way to a runner-up finish, with Holt Matheis and Samuel Erickson putting up big numbers. Johnson had four goals and two assists in a 13-9 win over Mid-America North.
Matteo Corsi, Mid-America North, attack (IMG Academy/Juiced Cherries/Syracuse)
Matteo Corse, 2021
Corsi led the MAN squad to a 2-2 record, the losses to finalists Connecticut and DMV. He was the attack’s orchestrator, a super athletic player able to produce out of X or up top. His hands seem to be in constant motion, keeping defensemen occupied as he plots which of his myriad options to deploy. He had two goals and an assist in the semifinal loss to Connecticut, and his passing eye opened up plenty of chances for teammates to prosper.
Class of 2022
Race Ripley, Maryland, attack (Archbishop Spalding/Annapolis Hawks/Navy)
On the list of Maryland’s weapons, Ripley’s name is near the top. He’s an excellent passer, but Ripley mostly stuck to finishing at the tournament, credited with 11 goals for the champs. He’s physical, quick, adept at moving off the ball to find pockets of space with an arsenal of shots that makes defenses pay no matter where on the field he finds himself. The final, in which he scored twice in a 12-3 romp over New England, was a top-to-bottom domination.
Brock Behrman, New York, attack (Niskayuna/Team 91/Notre Dame)
In the first National All-Star Games, New York didn’t have the deepest of rosters, one of the areas hardest hit and slowest to recover its sporting normalcy from COVID-19. Of a group that went winless in four games, Behrman was the star, having a hand in eight of the club’s 21 goals. He scored two goals in each of the last two games. Behrman stands 5-8, but when he decides he’s getting to the cage, there’s no stopping him, his low center of gravity nearly impossible to deter and his variety of shot angles difficult to defend. He’s also a constant threat to pass in traffic, able to open up space for teammates and help them capitalize.
Truitt Sunderland, Maryland, attack (Calvert Hall/Koopers/Virginia)
Truitt Sunderland, 2022
Sunderland’s reputation preceded him, and the reality didn’t disappoint. The MVP of the title game, Sunderland was credited with seven goals and six assists in the tournament. He contributed a goal and two assists to the 12-3 victory in the final over New England. Sunderland has a tremendous motor with the physicality to resist much larger defenders. He can score from a variety of angles, is a superlative passer and is a terror to corral off the dodge.
Dylan LeBlanc, New Jersey, defense (Manasquan/Leading Edge)
Defense was the heart of the New Jersey squad, with a pair of strong goalies in Jaz Zanelli and Harry Laferriere. LSM Konrad Miklasewski gets a lot of the plaudits and is a visible part with his clearing prowess. But LeBlanc was as good as any of his mates at shutting down opponents. He’s physical at 6-foot, has quick footwork, is active with his stick and astute at disrupting passing lanes.
Matt Caputo, Nassau, attack (Lutheran/LI Express)
Matt Caputo, 2022
Caputo’s five-goal outing against DMV in a placement game was one of the offensive performances of the tournament, even as the Nassau team dropped a 10-7 decision. Nassau went 2-1 on Saturday with Caputo providing four goals and two assists. The shifty lefty has soft hands and an array of moves to shake defenders. Not the most physical player, he makes up for it with a fearlessness to go into high-traffic areas and a powerful shot from distance.
Matt McCarthy, Pennsylvania, defense (Episcopal Academy/Big 4 HHH/Penn)
McCarthy will be a three-year starter for the Churchmen and it's not hard to see why. He's got the size that every Division I coach wants, and the Penn commit moves fluidly for a big guy. He did a nice job in the tournament opener against Pacific Northwest, showing improved off-ball defense and making plays in the middle of the field. McCarthy's footwork is particularly impressive, allowing him to lack on to attackmen.
Thomas Porell, New England, midfield (Buckingham Browne & Nichols/3d New England/Notre Dame)
The recent Notre Dame commit was all over the place for New England, drawing rave reviews from coach and former UMass All-American Sean Morris for his ability to make a difference all over the field. He ragdolled one midfielder who tried to dodge him in the final, scooped up the ground ball and seamlessly started transition the other way. A big body who showed that he's also got some offensive pop to his game, Porell will immediately add versatility and sandpaper to the Irish midfield.
Billy Dwan, Maryland, defense (Loyola Blakefield/FCA/Annapolis Hawks/Syracuse)
The defensive lynchpin of the champion Maryland squad, Dwan rarely seems to be out of position. The son of former Johns Hopkins assistant Bill Dwan has the IQ you'd expect from a coach's son, and he doesn't seem to make mistakes. He's not the flashiest defenseman, but he doesn't have to be because he's such a good cover guy. There's a case to be made that he's the No. 1 defenseman in the class, a case that he bolstered with his lights-out performance in the title game, a 12-3 Maryland romp.
Hugh Conrad, Pacific Northwest, goalie (De La Salle/West Coast Starz/Yale)
The future Bulldog shined again, making the type of saves that turned him into a hot commodity and an early take for the Ivy power. Not the biggest guy but certainly one of the quickest, Conrad makes low saves look effortless and is quick to start the transition game. He made a couple of really impressive early saves to set the tone against Pennsylvania, and he exudes confidence in the cage.
Charlie Iler, Pacific Northwest, midfield (San Ramon Valley/Alcatraz Outlaws/West Coast Starz/Johns Hopkins)
Charlie Iler, 2022
Iler marked his return from the tournament in Maryland by declaring his intention to stay there for college, committing to the Blue Jays. A cerebral midfielder, he does a little of everything. He’s quick off the dodge with a great shot, can get physical on both ends, creates from just about anywhere and is great on the ground with superior stick stills. Iler had a couple of goals against Mid America and did plenty of distributing to shooters like Max Sloat and Quinn Krammer.
Class of 2023
Caulley Deringer, DMV, attack (Episcopal H.S./MadLax DC Dogs)
Deringer put up three goals and three assists in the final on the way to MVP honors, and even that total feels low for the amount of time the DMV offense passed through his stick. He was the most dominant attacker on the squad, which is saying something given the array of talent. Deringer’s handle is elite, with a quick release, deft passing touch and enough close-quarters moves around the cage to stupefy defenders. His ability to catch and shoot in stride, especially in traffic, is outstanding.
Jackie Weller, DMV, faceoff (Georgetown Prep/MadLax DC Dogs)
Jackie Weller, 2023
Part of the reason why DMV was able to score 52 goals in five games is that it always had the ball. And a big reason was Weller. Even in the final, so many of his wins at the X were clean enough to start attacks right away, and while Weller didn’t score, his ability to feed the DMV attacking beast contributed to one of the most explosive attacks for any age group.
Tomas Delgado, Connecticut, midfield (Brunswick/Prime Time)
Delgado and Brunswick/Connecticut teammate Leo Hoffman might be the two best all-around midfielders in the '23 class. Delgado is an exceptional athlete who buzzes around the field and has a hand in everything, and few are better at getting to his spot to set up a shot. He makes everything look easy and is a mismatch for defenses.
Jacob Pacheco, Mid America, midfield (Valor Christian/Crabs)
Jacob Pacheco, 2023
The Mid America 23s had a strong showing, winning a pair of games before running up against DMV and Nassau. Pacheco was a presence in midfield, scoring in all four games, including a goal and two assists in the opener. At 6-2, he’s an imposing two-way force. He’s got a polished game with his passing ability to complement his speed off the dodge and shooting ability, all of which makes it a tantalizing prospect to see how he continues to grow into his physicality.
Wyatt Hottle, Maryland, midfield (Calvert Hall/FCA)
Speaking of lethal attacks, Maryland was in double-figures in each game except for the final, scoring 62 goals in five outings. Hottle was a huge part of that with 13 goals and four assists, including a four-goal outing against the South. Hottle showed his blend of speed and passing vision throughout the tournament, and his ability to finish is top of the line.
Colin Burns, DMV, attack (Georgetown Prep/MaxLax DC Dogs)
Burns had two goals in a two-goal win over Pennsylvania in the semifinals, his star turn leading DMV to the final. An adept creator out of X, he’s able to use his upper body strength and long arms to conjure a dazzling collection of shots around the cage with both hands. Distributors like Deringer unlocked Burns’ ability to wind up from the wing and let fly. Altogether, it created a stunning group of attackers that deservingly lifted the title.
Brett Koopman, Pacific Southwest, LSM (Santa Fe Christian/Mad Dog National)
Until running into Maryland in the semifinals, the Pacific Southwest had allowed just 23 goals in four games. That alone put Koopman on the radar. Add in the fact that he scored in three games and buried a pair of goals in a one-goal win over Pennsylvania, and he’s a no-brainer. He’s a dogged defender who’s great on the ground and an adept passer, to say nothing of his finishing ability.
Hill Plunkett, South, attack (Roswell/Thunder LB)
Hill Punket, 2023
The South 23s won two games, the most for any of the region’s three squads. Plunkett was one of the stars of that effort (along with faceoff guy Myles Quandt and high-scoring Evan Suh). Plunkett has a tremendous shot and elusiveness to create space, but what sets him apart is his passing vision. His stellar distribution from X or the side of the cage keeps defenders honest on the threat of Plunkett calling his own number, opening up chances for him and teammates to create chaos.
Austin Conner, Pennsylvania, midfield (Strath Haven/Brotherly Love)
Boasting great size, shooting ability and bloodlines – his older brother, Jeff, won a national title at Virginia – Conner has all the makings of an elite college player. He's not shy about shooting from just about anywhere, and he gets a lot of power behind his shot. He would have been the go-to offensive guy for Strath Haven this year as a freshman and with good reason. He's got quick feet, can get rolling downhill in a hurry, and can place shots well when his fundamentals are dialed in.
Leo Hoffman, Connecticut, midfield (Brunswick/Team 91)
The other half of the elite Brunswick '23 midfield tag team, Hoffman has earned comparisons to fellow Team 91 standout '21 Andrew McAdorey (Duke) for his ability to impact the game offensively, defensively or in transition. He's a quick, jitterbug type with the ball in his stick with change-of-direction skills for days, and he's made significant progress in his offensive game. Defensively, he can lock guys down with his footwork and willingness to mix it up, and he already has college coaches licking their chops at the chance to recruit him.
2020 Rosters by Region
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