2028 Attackers: Names to Know Before 9/1

The 2028 class is loaded with offensive talent, and this summer gave some of the best attackers in the class plenty of opportunities to separate themselves against top competition. From dominant 1v1 threats and elite finishers to creative feeders and relentless riders, these attackers found different ways to consistently impact games. With September 1 approaching, these are names college coaches will want to know.    At 6 feet tall, Bahl already presents a matchup problem before you even get into everything she can do with the ball. The No. 7-ranked player in the Class of 2028  is incredibly explosive, and her 1v1 ability is lights out. She can throw in multiple dodges, come out of the dodge with a step on her defender, and immediately rip a sidearm shot into the top corners. What makes her even more difficult to defend is that she can do it with either hand. Bahl can shoot with legitimate power and accuracy with both her right and left, which is extremely rare at this age. Once she gets even half a step, she is comfortable letting it fly from distance and has the power to make those shots count. Her 8-meter shot is another major weapon, and she has the creativity and confidence to casually mix in behind-the-back finishes. Defenses cannot simply overcommit to stopping her either because she sees the open player when the slide comes. Her height, athleticism, and strength also make her a weapon on the draw and around the circle too. Bahl is the type of offensive player who immediately grabs your attention and keeps it; college coaches will have a ball with Bahl.     Ranked No. 10 by Prep Girls Lacrosse, Sherman is an incredibly complete attacker who combines shiftiness and creativity to consistently create offense. She is excellent with both hands and does some of her best work off-ball, timing her cuts well and putting herself in great positions to catch and immediately finish. Her ability to redirect the ball quickly makes her especially dangerous around the cage. Sherman is comfortable going to a lefty sidearm shot without disrupting the flow of the play. At “X,” her quickness and stick movement really shine. Her fakes are dramatic and convincing, getting both goalies and defenders to bite before she finds the back of the net. Her feet and stick work together extremely well, which makes her difficult to predict. She also has excellent vision and does not struggle to locate the open teammate when the defense commits to her. Sherman brings that same energy to the ride, where she closes space quickly, stays on ball carriers, and creates opportunities for her offense to regain possession.     Ryan is a trusted offensive weapon who finished her sophomore season just shy of 100 points, and it is easy to understand how she produces at that level. She has phenomenal shot placement and one of the more impressive jump shots in the class, especially when attacking from just outside the 8-meter. She times her cuts extremely well, can run into space and elevate, and is ready to rip the ball as soon as the opportunity appears. Ryan is comfortable playing lefty or righty depending on what her team needs. She also sees the field well, finds open teammates, and is an unselfish feeder when the better opportunity is elsewhere. One of the best parts of her game is her willingness to reattack. If her first dodge does not work, she resets and immediately challenges her defender again rather than disappearing from the possession. She is also relentless on the ride and brings consistent effort after a change of possession. Ryan is a well-rounded offensive player who can be trusted to generate opportunities.     Besaw is an attacker with the versatility and athleticism to play through the midfield exceptionally well. Her stick work immediately stands out, and she plays extremely well off her teammates. She has great feeding ability, sees developing opportunities, and can build chemistry quickly through give and gos and constant movement. Besaw is especially good at creating space without the ball. She understands how to use the movement of her teammates to lose her defender and get herself open for a catch and finish. Once the ball reaches her stick, her release is extremely quick. She has a beautiful shot and is not afraid to rip from farther out when the defense gives her the opportunity. Her speed adds another element to her game and allows her to contribute beyond a traditional attack role. Whether she is feeding, cutting, carrying through the midfield, or finishing a possession herself, Besaw gives an offense a lot of different options.     DiManno is a shifty, athletic attacker whose smooth movement makes her difficult to stay with. She has a quick first step, a strong drive to the cage, and a variety of dodges that allow her to create separation. She also has excellent vision and can deliver extremely accurate feeds to teammates once the defense begins to collapse on her. Her off-ball movement is another major strength. DiManno reads the offense well, knows when to slip into open space, and consistently puts herself in useful positions rather than forcing touches. What really separates her as an attacker is the effort she gives on the ride. She applies constant pressure, hunts down ball carriers, and creates an impressive number of caused turnovers for an offensive player.

The 2028 class is loaded with offensive talent, and this summer gave some of the best attackers in the class plenty of opportunities to separate themselves against top competition. From dominant 1v1 threats and elite finishers to creative feeders and relentless riders, these attackers found different ways to consistently impact games. With September 1 approaching, these are names college coaches will want to know.