Rising Talent: ’27 and ’28 Standouts from Emerging States

Lacrosse began as an East Coast sport, but the West has seen rapid growth. Building Western teams requires developing local talent. These athletes come from so-called niche states, highlighting the sport's national expansion.    Giana is one of those players who just makes things happen. The 2027 UNC commit from Denver, Colorado, is constantly making an impact. Bigelow is the type of player whose dominant hand you don't know. Her shiftiness and quickness help her slip by defenders. She can finish with either hand, in front of the crease, at the 8, or even throw a twizzler against top defenders. She uses deception to get away from defenders on a slip cut and keeps her cool as the entire defense crashes in on her, finishing the ball with poise. What sets Bigelow apart is her ability to stay composed in chaos, never rushing under heavy pressure. She draws slides naturally, forcing defenses to collapse and opening up opportunities across the offense. Whether she's creating for herself or facilitating for others, she plays with a level of control that is rare for her class. As Colorado continues to emerge on the national stage, Bigelow stands out as a player who is not just benefiting from that growth but actively driving it.     Luca Diehl is the real deal. This 2028 recruit from Cumming, Georgia, plays like she grew up playing in Baltimore, Maryland. The 5'9” middie has the accolades of a young Ally Mastroianni. She is one of the most physical players, let alone 2028's, I have seen. She absorbs contact and, frankly, thrives on it. Even with defenders playing perfect 1v1 defense, if Diehl gets her arms free, she's getting a shot off. While she hits fade-away shots from the top of the 8 like a pro, she can also lower her shoulder, crease roll, and bury the ball, all on the way to the ground. Diehl's versatility sets her apart. She can dominate at the top of the 8, crash the crease, or shift to playmaking seamlessly. Her awareness drives smart decisions. She is a true two-way midfielder. Her draw ability is notable, and she knows how to turn possessions into goals. Opponents always account for her every move, a rare presence at any age. Her lateral directional change on offense is scary advanced. There is no question why she represented Team USA on the 2025 U.S. Girls' U17 Youth National team.     Greaves plays like no other women's lacrosse player. The 5' 4” Colorado native uses her smaller frame and speed to her advantage. Greaves is dangerous around the 8-meter mark. From jumping crease rolls, diving shots after a pull dodge, or a sidearm rip from the 8, Greaves has proved she can score almost any way. The way she uses one hand on her stick mirrors the style of box lacrosse and men's lacrosse. She is explosive out of her dodge, which almost always guarantees gaining a step on her defender. Her hesitations on her dodges, her deception with her stick, and her ability to finish or feed make her an imminent threat to any and all defenses. She plays with and deceives defenses like it is her job, and avoids slides and checks like nobody's business. Her geography has not stunted her growth in the game, and while she is currently sidelined due to an ACL surgery, she will no doubt create waves for the rest of her high school and her inevitable college career.     The 5'7” midfielder from Southlake, Texas, committed to Stanford a mere 36 hours after coaches could contact 2027 recruits. Her quick two-step dodges freeze defenders. After she gets a step on the defense, she is a confident and reliable finisher from outside or inside the 8, with both hands, making her a real scoring threat. If the ball is in Koerckel's stick, defenders need to pay attention. She will engage defenders and send a beautiful top-down assist to her teammates in the 8. Not only can she finish the ball, no problem, but she also uses her stick and aggression to chase girls out of the 8 and knock down passes. Her footwork is elite, and she is a solid 1v1 defender. She is a true two-way middie. The draw specialist uses a right-handed push technique to gain possession and runs onto the ball in the air or on the ground. Danielle Spencer isn't the only one who has recognized Koerckel's talent. She was invited to the USA U17 combine in 2025, competed for Texas' American Select Team, earned All-State honors, and more. Texas is a growing hotbed for the game, and Koerckel's success exemplifies this.     Don't let her last name fool you, Reese Goodenough is an extraordinary player based in Ross, California. While STEPS California has positioned itself as a powerhouse western club team, Goodenough shows exactly the kind of talent they acquire. The 5'9” middie knows how to use her size and speed to hunt in the clear, demand the ball in her cuts, and put her defenders on skates as they try to keep up with her. Her off-ball movement is constant and intentional, creating opportunities not just for herself, but for the entire offense. What separates Goodenough is her ability to impact the game in transition, turning defensive stops into instant offensive momentum. Her pace forces defenses to react. She is dictating the tempo rather than adjusting to it. As West Coast talent continues to rise, Goodenough is a name college coaches will have circled early in the 2028 class.

Lacrosse began as an East Coast sport, but the West has seen rapid growth. Building Western teams requires developing local talent. These athletes come from so-called niche states, highlighting the sport's national expansion.