2028 Midfielders: College Coaches Will Be Calling

The Class of 2028 is loaded with talented midfielders who can make an impact all over the field. These are five players who continued to stand out throughout the summer and will be names college coaches will call come September 1.    McCrone's speed and athleticism immediately stand out. A 2026 USA Lacrosse All-American, she brings a relentless approach to every area of the field and combines it with a high lacrosse IQ. She is strong on the draw and can dodge and shoot effectively with either hand, making her difficult to predict offensively. Defensively, McCrone plays with grit and competes on every possession. Her versatility, competitiveness, and ability to impact the game on both ends make her an exciting midfielder to follow.     Staley is a dynamic offensive threat who primarily plays attack while also making an impact through the midfield. Her change of direction is exceptionally quick, and she has a unique shot release that allows her to generate power from different areas of the field. She is especially dangerous in transition, where her long stride, speed, and IQ allow her to cover ground quickly and consistently turn clears into offensive opportunities. Her re-defend deserves just as much attention. Staley will hunt down ball carriers from behind and make them work for every yard. She can shoot from distance, create after full-field sprints, and consistently make something happen in unsettled situations.     Hardy has established herself as one of the most productive offensive players in the country. Her movement immediately jumps out; she plays with constant energy and momentum and has the quickness and deception to break through double and even triple teams. Hardy's jump shot is extremely difficult for goalies to read, and she has the ability to finish from virtually anywhere around the cage. Her stick protection allows her to weave through defenders. In transition, Hardy glides through the 30s and makes high-speed movement look effortless. With her footwork, speed, dodging ability, and scoring production, she is a major offensive middie to watch.     Cooke is the type of midfielder you can trust to consistently make the right play. Starting as both a freshman and sophomore at McDonogh speaks to her ability. Immediately, her field awareness and lacrosse IQ stand out. She is explosive in transition, excels as a cutter and dodger, and has the composure to finish through traffic and tight stick lanes. Cooke is equally impactful defensively, where she can lock down opponents and consistently wins races to 50/50 ground balls. She hustles on the draw, communicates well, and plays with a natural leadership presence. Her athleticism, consistency, and ability to contribute in virtually every situation make her a midfielder college coaches should know.     Buck is a gritty, athletic midfielder who impacts every part of the field. Her shot immediately stands out. She can generate serious power from distance and rip accurate shots from the 8-meter. In transition, she has the speed to carry the ball herself but also keeps her head up and recognizes when the next pass is the better option. Defensively, her quick footwork makes her strong in 1v1 situations, and she uses her stick well to extend her reach and pressure opponents. Buck also tracks the ball extremely well on the circle and brings consistent hustle to ground balls and draw possessions. She is a complete midfielder who competes hard regardless of where she is on the field.

The Class of 2028 is loaded with talented midfielders who can make an impact all over the field. These are five players who continued to stand out throughout the summer and will be names college coaches will call come September 1.