Hey everyone,

September always feels like two different seasons at once. Commitment graphics are flying, visits are ramping up, and yet most players are still in conversations that ebb and flow. It’s exciting, but also heavy. Both can be true.

This week’s Weekly Thought tackles that feeling head on: this is probably your first really big decision. We’ll help you slow it down, frame it the right way, and focus on what you can control. Everyone’s path looks different, and that’s okay.

For our premium community members, check out our newest webinar with Lynchburg men’s head coach, Steve Koudelka below.

If you have a question you want us to cover next week, hit reply. We read them all.

Let’s get into it. Happy Friday ☕️,
Matt & Deemer

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If you’re in the Class of 2027, you’re in it right now.

Commitments are happening. Friends are posting. People asking what schools you’ve talked to. And you’re sitting there wondering how you're supposed to know which school to pick… or when your shot is going to come.

The truth is, this is probably the first really big decision you’ve ever had to make.

And it’s not easy. Because no matter how many calls you’ve gotten (or haven’t), the recruiting process is full of pressure, moving targets, and incomplete information. It forces you to weigh priorities you’ve never had to think about before.

Lacrosse. Academics. Campus size. Geography. Playing time. Coaching staff. Culture.

It’s overwhelming.

And for the first time, you’re the one who has to make the decision. Not your coach. Not your parents. Not your friends. You.

That’s a good thing.

Because even though it’s stressful, this process teaches you something most adults still struggle with: how to make a big decision with limited information and how to trust yourself through it.

It teaches you to listen. To ask better questions. To think about what matters most to you… not just what looks good on paper or what other people are doing.

It also reminds you that you’re not fully in control. And that’s okay too. A coach’s need might shift. Your spring season might change everything. You might get a call in November that never would’ve happened in August.

That’s part of the deal.

My Recruiting Journey (Matt)
For me, I didn’t commit to Maryland until May of my junior year; this was very late. Back then, players were committing in their sophomore year of high school while I wasn’t getting recruited by the top programs until April of my junior year. Before that, I felt behind.

Princeton told me I was on their B-list. They brought me in for a visit in October, but didn’t offer until late spring. Multiple times these conversations went quiet.

Harvard said I needed a 1480 on the SAT to help balance their class. I took the SAT four times. The ACT twice. Even the SAT IIs. I couldn’t quite get there.

It was frustrating. I felt like I was doing everything I could, and it still wasn’t enough.

But then I had a strong junior season at Loyola Blakefield, and everything shifted. About halfway through that spring, my high school coach mentioned to me that a few schools had reached out, and one of them was Maryland.

Ultimately, my final decision came down to Maryland and Princeton, but this wasn’t until my junior season had ended in May.

Everyone’s Journey is Different
Everyone’s journey is different. I just like to share mine to remind you that there’s no perfect timeline.

I was extremely stressed out. In the fall of my junior year when other people were committing, I remember feeling a pressure I had never known before. It was the first decision that had long-term implications, and I had to make it.

What helped me was to stop worrying about things out of my control, and just keep focusing on being the best player I could be. We also recommend leaning on your coaches, parents and mentors through this process. People want to help you.

At the end of the day, what matters is that you’re the type of player a coach believes can impact their program. So if you’re not where you want to be now, keep getting better. Get stronger, get faster, get more skilled, keep your grades up… show that your ceiling is high and you’re capable of improvement.

That’s why we see so many late commits who go on to become captains and All-Americans. Why transfers sometimes turn into the most valuable players on their new teams.

The timeline may vary. But the standard doesn’t.

So stay focused on what you can control. Keep developing. Keep learning how to navigate big decisions. And trust that if you keep doing the right things, the right opportunity will find you.

Coach Dunn & Coach Class

It’s been a busy start to September! As of our records, we have logged 18 men’s 2027 commitments and 27 women’s 2027 commitments whom have attended our events, trainings, or are in our Athlete Program.

Goalies, to no surprise, have been a hot commodity. Teddy Oh (Harvard), Jett Stake (UNC), and Roman Ippoldo (Cornell) have been 3 big time commitments on the men’s side. On the women’s side, Mia Brown (Maryland), Jess McKelvey (Boston College), Brynn Howes (JMU), and Emily Ciesinski (Clemson) have all made quick commitments.

Two members of the Women’s Top 5 - Avery Fordham (#4 - Florida) and McKelvey (#5) are off the board while several Best In Class standout performers are off the board as well. See the updated BIC 2027 Women’s standout blog here with respective commitments.

Expect some major announcements in the coming days after the first big weekend of visits.

Teddy Oh | #8 Recruit | 2027 | Goalie
Committed To: Harvard

Avery Fordham | #4 Recruit | 2027 | Midfield
Committed To: Florida

Jessica McKelvey | #5 Recruit | 2027 | Goalie
Committed To: Boston College

Shea Shoulberg | #12 Recruit | 2027 | Attack
Committed To: Notre Dame

We are excited to start rolling out content of the newest group of our FCL Athletes, all of which are rising seniors in high school or incoming freshmen in college. This group earned the opportunity after being tabbed as MVP’s at our BIC Commitment event in Dec 2024! First up is an 8-meter shooting drill from Princeton commit Isabel Insley. Stay tuned for more content!

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