2022
Jay Adkins (Resolute Red)
Playing injured, you’d have expected Adkins to have not stood out at the Summer Invitational. Well, if you did, you’d have been really wrong. Adkins stepped up large and got it done when his team needed a goal, he played D-mid when they needed a strop, and his shooting percentage was sky high too. His possession skills were just as impressive, regularly absorbing contact and still getting a rip under heated pressure, all while rarely turning the ball over.
Chris Anderson (Project Missouri), M
After watching him for a few games, one college coach in attendance commented that Anderson was often the most productive player on the field during the event. It doesn’t take long to see how consistently strong Anderson’s overall game is and how involved he is from minute one to the final whistle. The Project Missouri product plays with some serious sandpaper between the lines and his accurate shooting propelled the team to a quality third place finish at a seriously stacked tourney.
Alec Blessing (Resolute Black), LSM
Blessing’s brainy lacrosse IQ allows him to work effectively between the lines, where he takes the ball away on rides, plus pushes transition to jump start Resolute’s O. His stick skills are superb and were clearly some of the best in the division. The second he crosses the midline with the ball he’s an instant offensive threat. Plus, he’s great off the ground and his ability to communicate effectively down low also makes him a strong defensive player too. He’s as complete a player as there was at the Invitational.
Matt Everson (Loons), D
A high-level defender that Loons coaches can stick anywhere on the defensive half and Everson simply adjusts and excels. He has a natural sense of playing with the speed and D skills required as a LSM, but also the quickness and strength of a close defender. Plus, Everson has a fast and active stick that forced a bunch of turnovers, often leading to him utilizing his speed blasting downfield on the clear.
Micah Hanson (Alpha Premier), FO
Winning a whopping 83% of his draws during the Invitational, plus finishing the week with 4 goals, Hanson showcased the same high-speed motor and impressive consistency that helped him win the Faceoff Academy National Showcase in April. A cunning chess player at the X, the Alpha product is aggressive, next-step-ahead smart, and is incredibly fast fighting for FO Ws. His skillset rivaled teammate and DI commit Adam Slager (Marquette ’26).
Jeremy Hollow (Yeti), G
Really strong ball stopping ability, Hollow consistency made clean saves on several extremely difficult shots. He controls the ball really well too, both blocking the initial shot to limit loose ball chances and outletting to teammates to clear his end. Bryce Moad (L4 Lacrosse), GHis 75% stat-line was strong, but Moad’s sizzle reel from the PMW Summer Invitational and beyond is filled with ridiculous reflex stops, clutch split-second efforts, and obvious confidence coming off his line with the ball in his twig. Currently uncommitted, outside of one, other collegiate coaches will have a serious case of FOMO pretty soon.
Mike Parsio (Resolute Black), M
When Parsio is positioned between the lines and has the ball firmly stuck in his stick, forget about it… the kid is lethal. He had some game-shifting, clutch finishes for Resolute Black as they clawed their way to a division title. Parsio’s ability to break down defenders on the wings and draw slides created a ton of off-ball offensive looks for his teammates too.
Michael Piotrowski (Team Illinois), G
An effective communicator while quarterbacking the Team Illinois defense, Piotrowski analyzes & anticipates the play really well, silencing the opposition’s attack with several great reads in passing lanes. He’s a big-bodied lefty cage filler who is extremely active outside of his crease, willing to charge out and challenge shooters before they hit his doorstep. His quick hands & reflexes allow him to come up with tough, in-tight saves.
Kaiden Roche (Resolute Black), G
The squad’s solo shot stopper, Kaiden was not only uber confident and super clutch in this leading role, his play helped Resolute Black to a tournament championship too. He’s the type of goalie whose sharp saves and mature command in goal allow the rest of the team to play with an added edge knowing their keeper can carry the load. He made the shots he needed to stop, and the ones that looked like gimmies for the opposition.
Cooper St. Clair & Alex Acker (Omnia), G
It was too difficult to pick between Omnia’s talented tendy tandem, so we gotta get them both in here. Cooper was clutch on Day 2 by only allowing a few get past him versus a very good Resolute and Loons squad. Acker, now a ’23 at Brewster, also impressed, and is on a lot of radars after this year’s PWM for sure.
Joe Thiel (Second City), M
A super-strong athletic dodger who loves to let it rip whenever he finds a sliver of space, Thiel generates a lot of slides and offensive opportunity for his Second City teammates.
John Tomsheck (Omnia), A
A crafty competitor who was difficult to keep contained, Tomsheck regularly darted by his defender, and was equally as strong at creating offensive opportunities for his Omnia teammates as he was putting the ball in the back of the net. A high-level player during the entire event, Tomsheck was arguably the team’s top player.
Bennet Trout (Resolute Red)
Another talented Trout (there’s Landon & Keaton too, all three strong in field AND box), Bennet had a strong showing in Westfield. He had great off-ball presence and was most definitely one of the reasons why David Chintala impressively finished the Invitational with multiple hat tricks. Every game Trout tallied multiple goals and assists while being a visionary on Resolute’s backside of their offense.
2023
Cayden Christopher (Resolute Black)
Coming into the PMW Invitational, Christopher was putting together a really nice summer season, and used his two days in Westfield to further cement his up-trending game. An elite athlete with a really quick first step, his explosiveness allows him to get to the middle of the field far better than most. An impressive passer and developing playmaker to keep your eye on for sure.
Tremel Duncan (Resolute Red)
He played super physical, athletic, aggressive on-ball defense, and caused a ton of turnovers over the two days in Westfield. Duncan was one of the division’s top defensive standouts, grabbing a bunch of gritty ground balls and clearing his own end really effectively too.
Jacob Goldstein (Project Missouri), FO
Goldstein was a machine off the ground in Indianapolis. With lightning quick hands and a seemingly endless motor, Goldstein was clearly the heart & soul of this Project Missouri squad. When his go-to moves didn’t go his way, he was deft in the counter game and flat out wore his opponents down through hustle, hunger, and sheer determination. Goldstein’s game has some serious bite too.
AJ Ellis (Second City), G
Ellis is an electric shot stopper but is greatest strengths might be his ability to clear effectively and his crystal-clear communication with teammates, two vital pieces for any up-tempo team looking to ignite a quick attack. Good decision making and very confident and composed in his clearing.
Nick Harris (Resolute Red), G
If there was a highlight pack of the event’s top stops, Harris would likely own close half of the reel. He made some preposterous point-blank saves and skillfully snagged seemingly everything from outside. The Mason HS shot stopper also displayed great vision in his crisp clearing and started multiple transition opportunities for the Resolute Reds.
Oran Lautenbach (Loons), M/A/FO
Lautenbach is a face-off tactician but that ain’t it. Not even close. A 6’2” uber athlete that has a rifle of a release, Lautenbach can dominate at the dot, sprint the stretch of the field, and finish like nobody’s business. It was hard not to notice the high-end impact Lautenbach had on the Loons’ game during the entire tournament.
Mitch Maibuecher (Team Illinois), LSM
He’s a long-stick middie but Maibuecher very much handles the ball like an everyday attackman. He is super active in passing lanes, exceptionally clean on the ground, and an above average passer. Maybe most impressive was his clearing ability, where his strength & possession skills allow him to routinely rip through checks. Defensively he’s very physical, positionally responsible, and showcased his recovery run ability too.
Evan Mason (L4 Lacrosse), A
He’s pretty potent no matter which way he’s holding his stick, Mason had 8 goals and 11 assists during the PMW Invitational. He reads the oncoming play well, allowing himself to find space for a feed, but he’ll also bait defenders well too in order to create space and scoring opportunities.
Robert McMichael (Omnia), D
A real standout across the board in the division. McMichael handcuffed the oppositions’ offense regularly with strong positional presence but also with jarring turnovers too. The kid was no slouch in the transition game either. His skilled stick, confident stride on the press, and above average vision created fits for the opposing teams.
Andrew Powell (L4 Lacrosse), D
A do-it-all defenseman that showed he can play close but long-stick middie too – both roles really well in fact. Powell’s defensive stats were some of the best of all 2023s over the two days: 10 caused turnovers and 15 ground balls (slipped in an assist too). A multidimensional defender with A LOT of upside.
Luke Ray (Resolute Black)
A much deserved MVP in the 2023 division, Ray ruled the field for Resolute no matter where he ended up. He was tenacious on ground balls, his fire first-step sparked the team’s offense regularly, and his vision, anticipation, and well-timed passing allowed him to put the Resolute offense into positive scoring opportunities. Ray was straight up dynamite over the two days.
Marek Tzgournis (Resolute Black)
Hands down, one of the top attackmen in the state of Ohio. The definition of an all-around playmaker, Tzgournis is as talented as they come, showcasing an impressive arsenal of weapons as he quarterbacked the Resolute offense. His vision and on-field IQ were some of the most impressive during the event, but he also caused a ton of turnovers in the ride and showed zero fear fighting in the scrums to scoop ground balls. Smarts, skill, and hustle: can’t ask for much more than that!
Will Vanlear (Omnia), M
Vanlear’s strong playmaking ability was probably the most obvious of his many tools showcased during the Invitational. From the wings to defense to dodging, Vanlear can create from just about any spot on the field and in any situation. His frame allows him to power through defenders, and when his hands are free, he’s got a hammer to put the nail in. A very promising future ahead for this Brother Rice midfielder.
Trent Zimay (Yeti), A
The second-leading scorer for Yeti in the division, Zimay’s attacking ability helped lead the team to a 4-1 record at the Project Midwest Summer Invitational. In addition to a strong overall offensive game and gritty approach, coaches tell us he has a great team-first attitude, relentless work ethic (which was evident on the field too), and is a very coachable player.
2024
Jack Bichelmeyer (Project Missouri), M
The Missouri middie seemed to get his hand free whenever he wanted. Between his size, obvious athleticism, and strong downhill dodging ability, it’s quite clear that Bichelmeyer is developing into a player who will have all of the pieces to a be top-level recruit when the time comes. Remember the name. You’ll regret it if you don’t.
Tyler Coryea (Resolute Black) G
One of the more impressive single-game performances anywhere during the PMW was Coryea’s second-half shutout against L4 in the division’s championship game. The Resolute Black backstop used the event to showcase his leadership, clutch shot stopping, and always meaningful outlet passing.
Alec Gniatczyk (Omnia), M
A strong, physical, and forceful finisher and playmaker, Gniatczyk was a standout in Omnia’s midfield. He was a handful to match up against, and once Gniatczyk put his shoulder down and decided he was going to the cage, you knew you’d be in for a battle. He’s an impact middie with power-forward pop.
Ryan Halperin (Second City), A
Halperin’s inventiveness and movement off-ball is impressive and likely leads into why he’s such a strong finisher too: creates space, shoots, often scores. Also created a ton of chances for himself in transition, highlighting his vision and creativity on the press too.
Bryce Heitmann (L4 Lacrosse), M
Whether L4 had the ball or were fighting to get it back, Heitmann excelled both offensively and defensively for the group. His 12 goals really stood out but even more so when stacked up against his equally impressive 14 ground balls. Dependable, dynamic, and often dangerous, Heitmann had a very strong showing at the Summer Invitational.
Charlie King (Alpha Premier), A
The dangerously deceptive slick-shooting righty from Wisconsin led the Alpha 2024 Premier Team in points, highlighted with an array of splits, hesitations, and hitches to creatively sidestep defenders, clear his hands, and find the net consistently.
Jack Kevin (Team Illinois), G
Kevin was extremely active coming out of his crease, but equally poised & patient playing between the pipes for Team Illinois. As impressive as he was snagging the opposition’s passes, Kevin’s own passing was crisp, clean, and accurate when clearing the ball out of his zone. Provides Team Illinois with a lot of supplemental skills and really reads the field well when communicating with his crew too.
Ryder John (L4 Lacrosse), D
L4’s defensive leader, John was definitely a defender to watch over the two days, and his 11 caused turnovers and 16 ground balls backed that up. His defensive IQ was top notch but his work ethic and zero-quit effort are also why he was one of the standout defensive players in this division. Not surprisingly, John is a stud in box too.
Ian Ludewig (Resolute Black), A/M
A dangerous dodger, Ludewig was often the team’s offensive sparkplug while leading Resolute to the PMW tournament title. An electric first step no matter the situation or amount of space he had, Ludewig regularly got to the cage shooting both lefty and righty, usually dropping 2-3G a game while pacing Reso’s offensive cast. For the fans, a really fun players to watch too.
Colin McDougall (Yeti), G
A super-athletic goalie who isn’t afraid to leave the comfy confines of his crease in order to make plays all over the field, in addition of course to providing Yeti with solid shot stopping too. Big impact player for this team.
Cooper Simpson (Resolute Black), D
Big, big, big defensive leader for Reso Black. Simpson anchored the team’s D unit, almost always matched up with the opposition’s most talented offensive player. He had a cutting over-the-head-check that forced a bunch of timely turnovers and allowed Resolute to flip the switch from D to O with relative ease. Simpson also spent some time at SSDM and looked sharp there too.
Tyler Stegbauer (Resolute Red), D
Really impressive defensive skills from Stegbauer all tourney. Superb on-ball defense, an extremely difficult player to beat. Plus, the kid can push transition after battling hard in his own end and dishes to teammates effectively too, sparking a strong O press for Resolute. Stegbauer has a really impressive top-to-bottom skillset that will undoubtably continue to blossom.
2025
Logan Chavez (Alpha Premier), LSM
There didn’t seem to be a piece of turf Chavez’s cleat didn’t touch during the Invitational. Alpha’s stud LSM was all over the field, winning draws with his D pole, sparking transition, and executing fast breaks. He’s a shut-down defender that is not only aggressive, agitating, and relentless, but he has smooth hands and smarts too. Chavez’s pit-bull presence all over the field makes him a very, very difficult player to line up against.
