Seven Potential Breakout Players for 2022

Every year there is a guy that steps up and exceeds all expectations on their way to a phenomenal year for their team. Here are seven players, mostly young guys but a couple of older guys, who have shown the potential for greatness, but now have the opportunity to put it all together with graduations or a change of scenery.

Johnathan Peshko - Johns Hopkins #51, Midfield, Sophomore

2021 Stats - 9 Goals, 1 Assist, 3 TO’s

After not registering a point in the Blue Jays first 7 games in 2021, Peshko turned it on and finished with 10 points in his last 6 games, his best game being this 4 goal effort in a win against Rutgers in the Big 10 tournament semifinal.

He’s a big, physical, right-handed Canadian with smooth hands and a heavy shot. Peshko was a big part of the man-up unit last year, scoring 2 man-up goals in a regular season loss to Maryland. Johns Hopkins even designed a drift look off the crease for Peshko to get his hands free for a shot as the season progressed.

He’s part of Canada’s U-19 team and expected to take the next step as a key part of Hopkins’ offense. The two other freshmen he ran with on a midfield line, Brendan Grimes and Casey McDermott, showed immense potential last season as well as they look to increase their production in 2022.

Ross Scott - Rutgers #5, Attack, Junior

2021 Stats - 9 Goals, 5 Assists, 3 TO’s

The most noticeable thing about Scott is how quick he is and how hard he dodges. Hailing from Oregon, he sprints to the goal with fearless abandon and seems like he can get his hands free when he wants to, showcased by this goal against Johns Hopkins in the Big 10 tournament semifinal.

He’s also a guy Rutgers trusts to have the ball in his stick to make a play when needed. After calling a timeout late in the shot clock in the NCAA quarterfinal against North Carolina, Scott was the one to start with the ball and proceeded to score on a nifty dodge coming from behind. Oh, and that was also against 2022 Preseason First Team All-American short-stick Connor Maher, too.

Scott, who played mostly midfield for the Scarlet Knights this past season, looks to take over one of the three open attack spots left by graduations. In a full time role, watch out - he’ll be a problem for defenses.

Ben Wayer - Virginia #45, LSM/D, Sophomore

2021 Stats - 1 Goal, 1 Assist, 19 GB’s, 3 CT’s

On Wayer’s bio on Virginia’s website, Coach Lars Tiffany says Wayer is, “Taking the proverbial next step in front of our eyes, and these are not baby steps.”

After the graduation of star long-stick midfielder Jared Connors, Wayer looks to be primed to fill in as the starter. Standing 6’3’’, 215lbs, he fits right in with Virginia’s hulking defense.

Playing in 12 of Virginia’s 18 games last season, he had some big plays down the stretch, including a few key ground balls in the NCAA Final against Maryland.

He’s also a threat in transition, highlighted by this goal in a regular season win against High Point.

Canyon Birch - Penn State #5, Attack, Redshirt Sophomore

2021 Stats - 3 Goals, 1 Assist, 2 TO’s

An injury sidelined Birch for most of 2021, but he came back to start 3 games to finish the season for the Nittany Lions. His best game down the stretch was against Michigan, scoring 2 goals and making some high-level plays.

A highly-rated recruit out of New Jersey, Birch looks to continue his positive momentum into 2022 where the Nittany Lions need goal-scoring attackmen after the graduation of Mac O’Keefe. Also be on the lookout for midfielder Mark Sickler, another redshirt sophomore who played very well down the stretch for Penn State.

Connor Cmeil - Ohio State #8, SSDM, Sophomore

2021 Stats - 1 Goal, 4 Assists, 14 GB’s, 6 CT’s

It might be an obvious comparison, but Cmeil looks a lot like former Ohio State All-American Ryan Terefenko.

Roughly the same size, they both are crazy athletic, love to run in transition, and rock the Scarlet and Gray.

The Ohio native played all but one game for the Buckeyes last year, and was a key part of the short-stick defensive midfield unit. He got better as the season went on, and had a strong outing against NCAA finalist Maryland, where he showcased his athletic ability in the middle of the field.

Cmeil will have to grow up quickly and anchor a young short-stick unit that will feel the loss of Terefenko and Omari DeBerry to graduation.

Alex Slusher - Princeton #5, Attack, Junior

2020 Stats - 7 Goals, 1 Assist, 4 TO’s

Slusher is a highly touted attackman from Oregon who started all of Princeton’s games at the midfield in their shortened 2020 season.

Not playing in 2021, he now gets the opportunity to slide back to his natural position and be the guy for the Tigers at attack.

A right-handed slasher, he’s got a great change of direction from X. His best highlight from the 2020 season comes from this game-sealing goal in a huge non-conference win against Virginia.

Also part of the US U-19 squad, he scored this impressive goal in a fall scrimmage against North Carolina.

Slusher is as talented as any attackman in his class, but he just hasn’t had the opportunity to shine yet. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him put the Ivy League on notice with a big season.

J.P. Basile - Villanova #14, Attack, Graduate Transfer from Duke

2021 Stats (w Duke) - 5 Goals, 3 Assists, 2 TO’s

Basile started on attack for Duke in 2020 in the shortened season, finishing with 19 points which was good for third on the team. In 2021, Duke had a brand new attack unit - they added Michael Sowers, got back Joe Robertson, and inserted freshman Brennan O’Neill into the equation, leaving little playing time for Basile and others.

Now with a fresh start at Villanova, Basile looks to find his 2020 form and win a starting attack spot.

He’s a big body attackman who has great field awareness and passing ability. One of his best games of 2020 was a 5 point performance in an overtime win versus Richmond.

He’ll bring plenty of veteran savvy to a Villanova team who’s got some great offensive pieces in senior midfielder Matt Campbell and senior attackman Patrick Daly, along with some other notable transfers.

Get Premium content for players, parents or coaches

Check out our community and become a member to view drills, webinars, film breakdowns, courses and more. Use code BLOG15 for an exclusive discount to our membership community on Circle!

Join Today 👉