I think most of elite will stay. Not sure what kind of pull 91 has to stay or if hoco says go down. If 91 goes down Preds move up. I think Preds have improved the most of all teams with so many additions. This does not mean they will beat everyone or even come close to winning in elite. Just think odds are they seemed to have the largest pool to choose from. Enough to have 2 teams. All the other teams have improved as well with some additions. Fca lost two contributing players that where difference makers and according to the drama on the fca thread seems like they have some issues. They said they needed a pole and an fogo. LTLC lost some players including their second goalie. but more importantly their middie. They are looking to add a second goalie. True Baltimore is so uncertain who stayed who left. Lots of movement their. Based on this past season Madlax seems to be slowing down with dominance not sure about additions will they be able to keep up. My prediction.
Disclaimer- just an average dad who enjoys watching lacrosse. Probably don’t know what I am talking about. Enjoy observing. My thoughts came from talking to other parents at tournaments, this thread, and many tryouts. Wish we can just talk about lacrosse and not wine and point fingers like many of the other threads
Predictions
Hawks
Next Level
Madlax/LTLC/True C./FCA
Preds/91
Surprise of the season will be LTLC and Preds
Disappointment - will still be 91.
The Preds aren't a surprise. This team is dangerous.
If you haven't seen this coming for 2 years, you're blind.
Talk of the town, baby!
Hope you are right! There is a very large step jump from the AAA division to Elite. Just ask FCA. They went undefeated in AAA in 2022 and went 3-4 in Elite in 2023. It's a difficult transition.
The Preds 2029 team is well coached by former 91 coaches and 3 straight years of pick-of-the-litter recruits from 91 as well as a few from other AAA clubs. The coaching is what separates them from the similarly talented 2028 Preds team (easily won AA and beat most AAA teams at tournaments, or at least split W/L) that somehow imploded this summer, or the 2027 Preds team that didn't quite become anything over the last 2 years despite having a solid starting lineup. Anyway the 2029 team is peaking at the right time. If Elite doesn't work out, who cares, go tear it up in AAA in 8th grade. Finish strong.
As for 91? They'll demand to stay in Elite. It's important to the brand. They'll keep pushing out youth players and replacing them with dissatisfied elite players from other clubs (no different than anybody else, really). I'd guess they've had something like 150% turnover in the last 3 years alone (blame Predators for this if you like, but it happens at every 91 team 2026-2032). By 9th grade it will be all new kids and the team will be nationally competitive, you can set a watch to it.
