Dylan Novak Named USA Lacrosse High School Boys' Mid-Atlantic Player of the Year

Dylan Novak lettered all four years at Malvern Prep, and this year even more responsibility was thrown at him as a senior leader. He was tasked with regularly covering the opposing team’s top attackman against a litany of powerful opponents with fearsome attacks.

Novak never backed down. He was the top defender and the top player on another strong Friars team that was keyed by a defense fortified by outstanding goalie play from Villanova-bound Thomas Ploszay. Novak helped the Friars limit teams to 6.3 goals per game against one of the toughest schedules in the country.

His 74 ground balls and 25 caused turnovers tell only a piece of his dominance. Novak has been named the 2026 USA Lacrosse High School Boys’ Mid-Atlantic Region Player and Defender of the Year.

“Dylan was consistent and willing to accept the challenge of the best matchup every game,” Malvern coach Matt Mackrides said. “Dylan was our ‘eraser.’ Game after game, against what was likely one of the most challenging schedules in the country, he drew the opposing team’s best offensive player and found a way to neutralize them. His ability to shut down elite talent while still making plays in transition and elevating everyone around him was remarkable.”

Novak was recognized as the Inter-Ac Most Valuable Player because of his importance to the Friars’ unbeaten mark in the top-heavy league. His leadership was evident by example and by word. He demanded the same of teammates that he did of himself, and he has grown each season into a better player.

He has always been a strong defender, and he looks even more imposing now in his final year of high school before moving on to Notre Dame. He’s stronger and more explosive than ever, and his game is more polished.

“But his biggest growth has been in his understanding of the game and his ability to make everyone around him better,” Mackrides said. “His role evolved from being one of our top defenders to becoming the heartbeat of our defense. Our defense played with confidence because Dylan was back there leading it.”

Mackrides expects Novak’s skills to translate well at the next level. He can defend in space, handle physical matchups, communicate at a high level and process the game quickly. He’s coachable and competitive as well, and the complete combination gives Novak everything he needs to stand out at Notre Dame.

Boys’ All-Mid-Atlantic Team

Attackman of the Year: Hunter Metz, Sr., McDonogh (Md.)

McDonogh’s offense lost some big-time scoring after last year, but thanks to Metz, the Eagles put together another solid season. He scored six goals and had two assists to send the Eagles back to the MIAA A Conference championship game. The Notre Dame commit finished his high school career with his best season yet with 66 goals and 27 assists against one of the most competitive conferences in the country and was named the C. Markland Kelly Award Player of the Year.

Midfielder of the Year: Colby Rossettie, Sr., Lawrenceville (N.J.)

On a Big Red team with talent everywhere, Rossettie consistently stood out. Lawrenceville moved him around during the season, playing him on attack as well as in the midfield, and he carried the offense. Against a loaded schedule, he produced in the biggest moments, closing his career in the Prep National semifinals against Brunswick with a huge effort. He finished the season with 30 goals and eight assists. He’ll take his game to Johns Hopkins.

Defender of the Year: Dylan Novak, Sr., Malvern Prep (Pa.)

See above.

Goalie of the Year: Ryan Inzer, Sr., St. John’s College High (D.C.)

St. John’s has built a reputation for fielding high-level goalies. Inzer is the latest to live up to the billing. The Penn State commit was a key part of helping the Cadets reach the WCAC championship game. His individual statistics don’t jump out after two tough games in the regular season and minimal time against the less competitive teams, but he was the backbone of a veteran defense that limited opponents to 5.67 goals per game. He saved 70 percent of shots in the WCAC semifinal and made 15 saves in the title game — and he continually gave the Cadets a chance to win.

Specialist of the Year: Haden Wade, Sr., Bullis (Md.)

The IAC Player of the Year, Wade was relentless for the Bullis rope unit as a short-stick defensive middie. The Bulls put him on top threats all year, and he rewarded their trust. Wade was a shutdown defender who came up with 90 ground balls and 40 caused turnovers while also scoring six goals and having three assists. He was recognized as the C. Markland Kelly Award South private school honoree and All-DMV Specialist of the Year. He’ll attend Navy next year.

Mid-Atlantic Boys' Top 10

1. Lawrenceville (N.J.), 13-4

The Big Red knocked off Calvert Hall (Md.), Malvern Prep (Pa.), Deerfield (Conn.), St. Anthony’s (N.Y.), Hill School (Pa.) and La Salle (Pa.) in a season that ended in a double-overtime loss to Brunswick (Conn.) in the National Prep Lacrosse Championship tournament. Johns Hopkins-bound Colby Rossettie (30 goals, eight assists) was a standout in the midfield while Michigan-commit LSM Wyatt Stamnes was tops on defense. Fellow Michigan recruit Jake Sturtevant (32G, 34A), Penn State-commit Ayden Matthews (47G, 11A) and Johns Hopkins-commit Matt Souter (21G, 20A) keyed the offense. Previous: 1

2. Malvern Prep (Pa.), 20-3

The Friars captured both the Inter-Ac League title and the PAISAA Championship. Along the way, they defeated rival Haverford School (Pa.) three times. Malvern had significant wins this season over ranked teams such as Calvert Hall (Md.), Chaminade (N.Y.), La Salle (Pa.), Episcopal (Pa.), Delbarton (N.J.) and Hill School (Pa.) Notre Dame-bound Dylan Novak was a workhorse on defense, another Notre Dame commit, Dan Riely (28G, 20A) was the top midfielder in the Inter-Ac, and Thomas Ploszay saved more than 60 percent in his final season before heading to Villanova. Previous: 2

3. Calvert Hall (Md.), 13-4

The Cardinals repeated as MIAA A Conference champions with a commanding 14-8 win over second-seeded McDonogh (Md.). It took Calvert Hall a few weeks to get themselves together after graduating 10 seniors from a year ago. They lost three of their first five games before winning 11 of their next 12 games to close the season. Yale-bound Jack Williams led the offense out of the midfield while Drexel-bound Cole Hottle and Jaxson Snelbaker and Towson commit Jack Tanton were lockdown on defense. Previous: 3

4. Haverford School (Pa.), 14-7

The Fords reached the PAISAA finals, but settled for a silver medal. Haverford advanced to the championship game by defeating a strong Episcopal (Pa.) team for a third time this season. They also owned wins over McDonogh (Md.) and Don Bosco (N.J.), and they took St. Anthony’s (N.Y.) to overtime. Haverford graduates Teddy Gillin (Cornell), Anthony Costa (High Point) and FOGO Gavin Morrissey (Villanova) but Notre Dame commits attackman Conor Morsell and goalie Jackson Gillis and Duke commit Finn French still have another year. Previous: 4

5. Episcopal Academy (Pa.), 13-7

Early season wins over Georgetown Prep (Md.), Lawrenceville (N.J.) and St. Augustine (N.J.) set the tone for a good season for the Churchmen. Their toughest losses came in-league to Malvern and Haverford. They also were within a goal of national No. 1 Brunswick (Conn.). David Brickman (Fairfield), Keegan Nash(Rutgers), Jackson Orcutt (North Carolina), Rees Piontek (Brown), Parker Smith (Villanova) are all graduating after all-league seasons. Previous: 5

6. Delbarton (N.J.), 22-6

The Green Wave avenged an earlier loss to Seton Hall Prep (N.J.) with an 8-7 win to capture their first Non-Public Group state championship since 2023, then followed it up with hard-fought wins over Mountain Lakes (N.J.) and Summit (N.J.) to capture their first Kirst Cup. Junior Brandon Fodor (Johns Hopkins), junior Pierce Bolger (Brown) and senior Chase Houser (High Point) led the offense, junior Kane Quenault (Notre Dame) won 74 percent of faceoffs and junior Matty McGinty was solid all season in goal behind a defense that had Cornell-bound Dara Corr. Previous: 6

7. La Salle (Pa.), 22-3

The Explorers won their first Pennsylvania AAA state championship since 2019 with a 16-9 win over Radnor (Pa.) behind five goals from Will Trymbiski (Hofstra), five points from Tobi Zweibeck (Franklin & Marshall) and a hat trick from Dylan Malone (Duke). Rocco Davis (Drexel) won 25 of 29 faceoffs. Michael van Bastelaar (Notre Dame) had a hat trick in a 12-4 semifinal win over Springfield-Delco (Pa.) Trymbiski finished the season with 59 goals and 24 assists. Malone had 31 goals out of the midfield. La Salle had significant wins over IMG Academy (Fla.), St. Anthony’s (N.Y.), Don Bosco (N.J.), Springfield-Delco and Radnor. Previous: 7

8. Seton Hall Prep (N.J.), 14-8

The Pirates had some huge swings this year, but fortunately their upswing came over the second half of the season. After a 1-5 start in which three of their defeats were by a single goal, Seton Hall Prep won 13 of their next 15 games before falling to Delbarton trying to defend their state championship. The Pirates had beaten Delbarton as part of their turnaround. They also beat national No. 1 Brunswick School (Conn.), St. Augustine (N.J.) and Chatham (N.J.). Jack Merklinger (Georgetown) will be back for his senior year after having 44 goals and 35 assists this spring. Owen Dunleavy (UMBC) scored four goals and Quinlan Oakes (Stevens) scored 25 goals and dished out 23 assists. Goalie Brennan Lyons (Providence) saved 167 shots. Previous: 8

9. Hill School (Pa.), 13-4

Led by Notre Dame-bound Jace Banks (37 goals, 18 assists), the Blues enjoyed their finest year in a long time. Hill reached the PAISAA semifinals before falling to Malvern. It was their first meeting with Malvern since 2018. They picked up early wins this season over St. John’s College (D.C.) and Ohio power Worthington Kilbourne (Ohio). Lafayette commit Sully Keith (41G, 11A) led the midfield and Georgetown commit Liam Atkins had a 64 percent save percentage. Previous: 9

10. St. Augustine (N.J.), 16-3

Seeded fourth in the Non-Public Group tournament, the Hermits saw their season end against No. 1 seed Seton Hall Prep. It was their only loss to a Jersey team. The loss snapped a 12-game winning streak in which they’d defeated Moorestown (N.J.), Radnor (Pa.), Garden City (N.Y.), Seton Hall and Delbarton in a good season. The offense was paced by Sebastian Varallo (St. John’s), Mason Raucci (Amherst), Brayson Thurber (Harvard) and Ryan Wodazak (Penn State), Chris Marino (UMBC) won 69 percent of his faceoffs and goalie Kyle Helphenstine (Richmond) was a difference maker. All but Thurber are graduating. Previous: 10