Top Individual Performers from the LI Summer Showdown

The Long Island Summer Showdown in July was filled with amazing talent. Some of the best 2023’s, 2024’s and 2025’s across America battled it out in front of some of the best college programs in the nation. Take a look at 10 players in each class that had exceptional performances.

Class of 2023 

 

Attack- Jack Speidell (St Anthony’s/91 Bandits)- The right handed attackmen had another great day as he’s one of the best finishers on Long Island. He showed his versatility both as a scorer and passer during the tournament 

FOGO- Cal Girard (Manhasset/Shore2Shore OG’s)-  The dominant faceoff specialist proved why he’s one of the best in the nation. Girard’s quickness and his ability to win it to himself was unmatched during the tournament. He cruised to another great performance 

Midfield- James LaPina ((Manhasset/Shore2Shore OG’s)– LaPina was Mr.Everything during the games Shore2Shore played. He showed his incredible 1v1 defensive ability throughout the entire tournament. LaPina was also a clearing and ground ball machine, as well as winning some faceoffs when his team needed him. 

Attack- Nik Barbero (Ward Melville/Patriot Elite)-  The quick attackmen was a leader for Patriot Elite and had a great day offensively. Barbero was so shifty and had no issue getting his hands free and unleashing a rifle into the back of the net 

Midfield- Liam Connor (Manhasset/Igloo Black Diamond)– Connor showed again why he is one of the best off ball players on Long Island. The Colgate commit was always in the right spot and his lacrosse IQ is off the charts. Connor had a great performance constantly finding the back of the cage. 

Midfield- Jack Miller (Long Beach/FLG)– It was Miller time during the summer showdown. The Long Beach native had his way with opposing defenses. The powerful middie was a force for FLG and his goal scoring ability was tremondus. 

Attack- PJ Shannahan (Bayport/91 Warriors)- Shannahan was the spark plug for this 91 Warriors team during the summer showdown. The Bayport product is extremely quick and doesn’t mind finishing through contact. 

Goalie- Philip Verdi (Chaminade/LI Express)- The Express netminder played fantastic during the summer showdown. He was borderline unstoppable during some games. The combination of size and athleticism propelled him to a great showing.

Defense/LSM – Owen Murphy (Chaminade/Shore2Shore OG’s)- After a terrific high school season, Murphy has shown off his talent all summer. He played close defense along with LSM and was a takeaway machine during the summer showdown. 

Midfield- Jackson Greene (St Anthony’s/91 Bandits)- Greene is one of the scariest midfield threats in the country. He was all over the field for the Bandits and added plenty of goals to his name. 

 

Class of 2024 

 

Attack- Lucas Laforge (Mount Sinai/91 Wolfpack)- The electric lefty attackman had a great showing at the summer showdown. Laforge is a natural goal scorer and he showed it every time he stepped onto the field. 

Defense- Dante Vardaro (St Anthony’s/91 Wolfpack)- Vardaro is one of the biggest and most athletic defenseman in the nation. He was a force for the Wolfpack on defense. He was so difficult to beat 1v1 and played great off ball. 

Midfield- Carmelo Pace (Smithtown West/Legacy Taz)- The all around midfielder was so impressive for Legacy Taz. He did the dirty work getting a ton of groundball’s. Pace also showed he’s an offensive threat. 

Midfield- Matthew Mcintee (East Islip/LI Rush)- Another event and another great showing from Matthew Mcintee. He is one of the most complete midfielders in the class. He always gets separation from his defender and is very versatile offensively. 

Defense- Thomas Cieleski (Long Beach/Igloo Windchill)- The Long Beach product was dominant on defense. He threw nasty stick checks and caused plenty of turnovers. Cieleski was also able to pick up a ton of GBs. 

Defense- Ben Fox (Chaminade/91 Wolfpack)- The Chaminade product was one of the best 1v1 defenders I saw at the event. Fox showed his takeaway check ability but the way he stood with the shifty attackman was just as impressive. 

FOGO- Alex Choi (Chaminade/Igloo Windchill)- Choi had a great performance at the X. He had a ton of clean faceoff wins throughout the event. He also showed his offensive ability proving that he can score

Defense- Jake Anzalone (Seaford/Legacy Taz)- Anazalone was one of the most dominant defenders at the event. His physicality and foot work were impressive. Not too long after the summer showdown, Anzalone committed to Navy. 

Attack- Brody Morgan (Ward Melville/Patriot Elite)- Morgan played a year up with the 2023’s and it didn’t hold him back. He seemed to get his hands free whenever he wanted. Morgan displayed a great first step followed by a laser of a shot. 

Goalie- Sean Forde (St Anthony’s/Rebels LC)- The Rebels goaltender balled out. Forde had a couple flashy saves as he was all over the place. He got tested a ton and he lived up to the task making some great saves.  

 

Class of 2025

 

Midfield- Gary Merrill (St Anthony’s/91 Shock)– Merril was hyped up to be one of the best middies in the class of 2025, and he didn’t disappoint. His dodging ability was extremely impressive and he is incredible goal scorer on top of it

Attack- Caleb DaRocha (Chaminade/Igloo Northface)- The crafty lefty attackman was dominant offensively. DaRocha scored in a variety of ways. He was a catch and shoot threat and he also was able to turn the corner and finish. 

Midfield- Anthony Raio (Half Hollow Hills/91 Shock)- The electrifying midfielder was all over the field for 91 Shock. He has to be one of the best offensive players in the nation for the class of 2025. 

Attack- Connor Kuttin (Chaminade/LI Express)- The Kuttin name still hasn’t left Chaminade and next up is Connor Kuttin. The elusive attackman was so impressive with his ability to create separation. He showed he can feed and find the back of the net with no issue

SSDM- Ryan Weiss (Harborfields/Igloo Northface)- The defensive midfielder had an amazing performance at the summer showdown. Not only was Weiss a beast defensively, he constantly made high IQ plays and picked up almost every ground ball

Attack- Giovanni Massaro (St Anthony’s/LI Express)- When Massaro has the ball, you better not be in the way. The big attackman was dominant and powered his way through defenders. He also had a phenomenal day shooting the rock.

Defense- Parker McDonald (St Anthony’s/91 Shock)- McDonald was tasked with going against some great attackman but he stepped up. McDonald caused turnovers and did all the little things right 

Goalie- Richie Metzger (Carey/Igloo Northface)- Metzger was a brick wall in net. He made point blank saves when his team needed him. The Igloo netminder also made outstanding outlet passes and put his team in a position to succeed 

FOGO- Chris Sloma (Chaminade/Shore2Shore Hawks)- Sloma has been dominant all summer long and things didn’t change at the summer showdown, He impressed against great competition and really controlled the faceoff X

Defense- Justus Durham (St Anthony’s/LI Express)- The athletic defender was very reliable for Express. He controlled his 1v1 matchups and also collected a ton of ground balls

 

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