IMLCA Players Summit: The ’26 defenders who were difference-makers

Rivers School junior Luke Morin was one of the standout defenders at the IMLCA Players Summit. (Dave Arnold/N.E. Lacrosse Journal)

DAVENPORT, Fla. — The IMLCA Players Summit is the biggest offseason club tournament not held in the summer.

If you’re about to enter your junior season, have aspirations of playing Division 1 and haven’t made your college commitment in the first wave, then this is the event that you cannot miss. Coaches from every division attend and, if you play well, you’re guaranteed to garner interest from a multitude of programs.

The Class of ‘26 already has 99 commits from the region, with several more expected to be finalized before the college season starts in February.

New England was represented well, with 12 teams across two divisions of play, seven of which were in the AA class. Among them were 2 Way, 3D New England, Prime Time, N.E. Raiders, King’s Alliance, Cavalry LC and the New England Blazers.

MORE FROM IMLCA PLAYERS SUMMIT:  Top ’26 attackmen | Top ’26 midfielders | Top ’27 goalies | Top ’27 specialists | Top ’27 defenders

Here are some of the top defensemen in the region’s ‘26 class that stood out. Players are listed with school and club.

Ryan Baxter, LSM, Brunswick / 2 Way Black

College commitment: Colgate

Baxter stood out right away with his relentless pursuit of the ball off the wing. He always found a way to get his nose near the ball, even if it was to land a check on the opposing LSM. If Baxter got the ball off the draw, he showed that he could get it up field or roll back with precision. Baxter was key on man-down as well, where he would collapse and block inside feeds. In settled sets, he was an excellent blindside doubler. Colgate got a very cerebral LSM who does the job of one-and-half poles.

Matthew Heyworth, D, Noble and Greenough / 3D New England

Heyworth combined strides and confident approaches with a commanding presence in settled sets at IMLCA. He was in control of his man on- and off-ball — sort of like a cattle dog on a ranch with fast cows. He was wrangling his man, but not with checks like most defensemen. Heyworth just used his angle play and body to cut off dodges before they even happened. He was also an asset on the clear for 3D, making a few runs across the midline to beat the clock.

Luke Morin, D, Rivers / King’s Alliance

Morin has the size and power to go with great recovery speed. At IMLCA he played more like a stay-at-home defender than he has at other events or for Rivers, but that’s a good thing. You want to show versatility at recruiting events — especially to coaches who have seen you play before.  He buried a few guys who thought they were on the crease in his first game, which is not new for him, but then he went to show how relentless he was at pursuing the ball as the weekend went on. I don’t get why he’s still uncommitted — but I think that will change very soon. 

Wyatt Langway, LSM, Pingree / N.E. Blazers

Langway was another hard-working LSM who stayed on to play ‘O’ just enough to earn the tag of offensive-minded LSM.  In one game, he ran up with the clear knowing that he wouldn’t get the ball three times, cutting across the middle to free up the skip, but the clearing middie only hit the pass once. It didn’t result in a goal, but it did justify Langway’s decision to press forward. On the wing he hustled after every ball, refusing to capitulate and drop if there was a chance he could land a check and elongate the groundball battle. 

Miles Thaxter, D, Falmouth (Maine) / N.E. Blazers

Like most of the standout defensemen at this event, Thaxter had that D-1 build — tall, but centered with long strides. He had a solid presence and fundamental approaches, but few attackmen even went at him anyway. He cut off easy dodges with an early check or a a body blow to stall their momentum. He protected the middle very well and didn’t give up any easy shots.

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