Like the sport itself, defenders in boys lacrosse have evolved in recent years.
Gone are the days of brutes whose sole purpose was to physically punish their offensive foil. Modern poles are strong athletes in their own right, capable of running the field and contributing offensively.
Whether they’re inspired by highlight-reel plays or the expectations of Division I recruitment, it could be argued that Section V is enjoying the Golden Age of long stick defenders.
“The idea of having defenders play offense, it’s really been embraced in the last 15 years. You’re not just a goon. These guys realize they can make a difference in the game and it can be kinda fun,” Webster Thomas coach Rob Ruller said. “There’s a good group of defenders overall. I’d almost say, defenders are kinda running the league more so than the offensive guys. I think of who scares the heck out of me, and there’s quite a few defensive guys.”
After the midway point of the regular season, we asked coaches around Monroe County to name their top pole defenders, whether that’s the LSMs or true defensemen.
Here are the standouts:
AJ Theodorakakos, Penfield
Two injury-plagued seasons haven’t stopped Section V coaches from considering Theodorakakos among the best, if not the best, pole defender in the area. When posed with naming names for the area’s top long sticks, no player received more mentions than the Penfield senior.
“I’ve never seen a kid that big move the way he does on a lacrosse field,” Spencerport coach Bill Buttaro said. “I remember scouting a game when he was a freshman, and I was like, ‘Who is this kid? He was big then and so fluid.”
The Army commit missed a major chunk of his junior season in 2025, but returned in time to help Penfield win the Class A section title and reach the state semifinals.
Another injury forced Theodorakakos to miss the start of this spring season, but he made his season debut in the Patriots’ seventh game — a state semifinal rematch against Section III power West Genesee — and quickly reacclimated. Charged with a matchup against Nash Oudemool, Theodorakakos held the Wildcats’ top scoring midfielder to a single goal in the Patriots’ 11-10 win.
“He’s not even 100%. That he was able to neutralize someone of that caliber really shows a lot,” Penfield coach John Schembri said. “Even at sub-100%, he still dominates.”
Theodorakakos has been an impact player dating back to his freshman year, when he showed off his all-around play with six goals and 11 points despite his defensive position.
On another team, Theodorakakos might’ve been tempted to trade in his pole for a standard-sized stick to garner more offensive touches. Schembri noted that his star defender also plays box lacrosse, which prohibits longer sticks but has helped develop his ball-handling skills. With Penfield, a team that boasts plenty of offensive firepower, he’s content leading the back end.
“It’s difficult to resist (playing him on offense). We have him out on our man-up situations when we were depleted of lefties. It’s not outside of the realm of possibility because he does understand the game,” Schembri said. “But you have to weigh how good he is on defense. Are you going to take your best defensive player out, to have an average or above-average offensive player?”
The answer, to this point, has been a resounding no. And for good reason. In April, Theodorakakos was named to the roster for the New Balance All-America game, arguably the most prestigious honor a senior in high school can receive.
“Just from his stick skills, his lacrosse IQ, his physicality … he can actually control a game from the defensive end. He’s so dependable,” Hilton coach Tim Byrnes said. “The military academy doesn’t give scholarships to just anybody. That’s a testament to how AJ is such a force on the lacrosse field.”
Jason Cunningham, Hilton
If Theodorakakos is the premier defender in Section V, Cunningham isn’t far behind, with size, physical tools and skills that few can match. Currently a junior, Cunningham has been one of Hilton’s starters on the back end dating back to his freshman year and was a first team all-league selection as a sophomore.
On a team full of capable defenders, Cunningham stands out.
“He’s a physical guy that can handle the ball a little bit too,” Irondequoit coach Aaron Bottazzo said. “He can run with anybody they match him up against.”
Added Penfield’s Schembri, “He reminds me a lot of AJ, in the sense he brings a physical presence to the game, and he’s a complete player in regards to his stick skills, the way he moves the ball up from the defensive end to the offense.”
Sometimes, when necessary, he can single-handedly generate offense. Coaches recall a game between Hilton and Spencerport in 2025 when Cunningham, then a sophomore, scooped up a ground ball, went coast to coast and buried a goal on an around-the-world shot.
Such a play carries more risk versus a standard overhand shot, or simply curling back to maintain possession. But creativity is part of Cunningham’s makeup.
“For Jason to take control of the situation and put a finishing touch like that even as a sophomore just makes you say, ‘That kid’s got a bright future,'” Hilton’s coach Byrnes said. “I think it happens with most coaches, you want to take the safe play. But you don’t want to ruin the creativity and box a kid into a corner.”
Despite its depth on the back end, Hilton isn’t afraid to match up Cunningham against the other team’s top scoring threat.
Byrnes recalled a recent matchup against Canandaigua, when the Gray Wolves subbed one of their top attacks through the midfield line in an attempt to avoid one-on-ones against Cunningham. Such strategies were negated by Cunningham’s communication skills and lacrosse IQ.
“We were able to switch as plays developed to get the matchup we wanted. (Cunningham) stayed out of the penalty box, was a great voice on the defensive end and did a great job communicating with everyone and telling them where they should be,” Byrnes said. “His one-on-ones, I think he had three or four takeaways, and they were good takeaways. He was under control, played the stick and was able to create turnovers.”
Sam Thore, Irondequoit
Like his Nordic lore counterpart, Irondequoit’s Sam Thore — whose last name is pronounced just like the mythological hero — wields a powerful tool. And while his stick might not harness lightning, it’s mighty effective at keeping opposing teams’ scoring threats at bay.
This Thore’s super power is his versatility. The senior, who is committed to Mercyhurst, was likened to a Swiss Army knife by Irondequoit’s coach Bottazzo. The long stick midfielder can play man-to-man against top offensive players, and is deft at creating turnovers and picking up ground balls to start Irondequoit’s offense.
“Our game plan defensively is to highlight him and let him go to work to disrupt the other team’s offense,” Irondequoit’s coach Bottazzo said. “He’s also probably one of the best ground ball guys around. He can pick it up in traffic and find a way out of trouble. He handles the ball like a midfielder.”
In a recent game against McQuaid, Thore was also needed at the faceoff X, where poles are sometimes used to muddy the waters for opposing FOGOs.
In overtime of that game, Thore secured a key possession for the Eagles when he forced a turnover against top notch midfielder Domenic Giangreco after initially losing the faceoff.
“He willfully embraces every role we throw at him. He’d play attack if we asked,” Bottazzo said. “He didn’t win the faceoff, and obviously that kid (Giangreco) is really good. But as smart as (Thore) is, he stayed hip to hip and waited for him to bring it to his right hand, and then knocked it down, picked up the ball and got it to our offense.”
Irondequoit is young on the back end this year, so in addition to a starring role Thore’s leadership abilities have been essential.
“He coaches the younger kids and keeps them together,” Bottazzo said. “If we give up a string of goals, he’s being positive and coaching them up. He really can do everything.”
“I can’t say enough about him as an athlete and the way he covers guys. They ask a lot out of him, going back and forth between the lines,” Penfield’s coach Schembri said. “I’ve seen how much success he’s had over the years, so he’s one of the guys that belongs in this conversation.”
Brody Kaye, Spencerport
In an alternate universe, Kaye might be considered one of Section V’s top midfielders. Growing up, the Spencerport junior frequently flipped from short to long stick. And according to varsity coach Bill Buttaro, Kaye was “very talented at both.”
With a chance at making varsity, Buttaro presented Kaye with a choice during winter of his eighth-grade year. Pick one position and stick with it.
“I was actually hoping he was going to play midfield. But when I put it on him to tell me what he wanted … I told him, ‘If you’re gonna do this, you need to be the best at it,'” Buttaro said.
The decision has paid off, as Kaye has established himself as one of the top poles in the area. In 2025 as a sophomore, Kaye co-led Section V with 54 takeaways.
Kaye didn’t have much time to ease into his full-time position as an eighth-grader. Spencerport didn’t have a JV team that year, so options were limited to playing varsity in a limited role or another year of modified. He chose the former, in hopes a year of seasoning with the team veterans would have long-term benefit. That spring, Kaye was deployed for certain situations as the Rangers’ fifth defensive option and didn’t look out of place.
“You could see even then, because of his athleticism, he’d find a way to expose people, even at a smaller stature,” Buttaro said. “Now he’s 6-0 and almost 200 pounds and he’s a force out there.”
The LaFayette commit still has a year-plus of high school lacrosse left. Looking ahead to the rest of this season and next, Buttaro said there are small adjustments Kaye can make to his game. But the junior is already “one of the best defensive players I’ve ever coached.”
“For him it’s just being a little better communicator. Or sometimes he goes for the takeaway instead of playing position defense, but I don’t want to take away from his aggressiveness,” Buttaro said. “Those are subtle improvements he can have, but he’s a great player and I’m excited to see what he does at the next level.”
Carter Chase, Webster Thomas
Only a junior, Chase already has a first team all-league selection in his back pocket. He’s a major reason why Thomas is among a tier of contenders in Class B this season.
Noted for his stick skills and scoring ability — through 12 games, Chase already doubled his goal total from last year — the Towson commit’s calling card is his physicality. There might not be a more-feared hitter in Section V, and that quality will serve him well as he prepares for collegiate competition.
Penfield’s Schembri called Chase one of Section V’s emerging top defenders.
“He’s an old school defender and I love that,” Schembri said. “If you come by he’s going to let you know he’s there and put you on the ground. I like that piece of the game. I know a lot of people don’t, but it’s a contact sport.”
There is risk with such a style. Violent hitters are few and far between in modern high school lacrosse, so when Chase puts a lick on an opposing player, it’s tough to officiate.
That was the case in a recent game between Webster Thomas and Penfield, when a ground ball was up for grabs. As an opposing player lunged for possession, Chase laid a hit and was whistled for an illegal check.
“It can look pretty violent, but it’s clean too. You watch it in slow-mo and there’s nothing really wrong with the hit,” Titans coach Rob Ruller said. “That was one of those ones he really toed the line … but it was a good hit. That was a ground ball and in college that might not get called, and you just play on. That’s how he plays.”
Ruller also complimented Chase’s all-around game, noting that his hockey background is probably a key piece to why he’s also an effective offensive player with “a rocket of a shot.”
With spring 2027 to look forward to, Ruller hopes Chase develops his verbal leadership skills.
“If anything I wish he was a little more talkative. When he puts that helmet on, he’s all business. He wants to compete and win and destroy you,” Ruller said. “The growth of a truly great player is making others better through their presence and work ethic. How can he help other guys that have it? How can he share that leadership and grow as a captain? That’s one spot I’d like to see next year.”
Other Section V defenders of note
The other half of Penfield’s two towers is senior Ronan Boyle, who took on a larger role last season as Theodorakakos recovered from injury. Boyle has committed to Army to play football, but would be just as coveted had he chosen a future with lacrosse. “Ronan is just a man-child,” coach Schembri said. “He thrives on competition. The harder the matchup, the better he plays.”
Victor’s Matt Langan is a two-time all-league selection (first team in 2024) that helped the Blue Devils reach the state final as a sophomore. “He’s got a unique style where he throws that back check … you think you have him beat and then he pinwheels you,” said Schembri. “I appreciate guys who know the intricacies of the game. They understand spacing, they understand slides. He gets it all and plays great within the team concept.”
It’s hard to stand out on a stacked Pittsford team, but junior Charles Hezel was singled out by multiple coaches in Monroe County. “He’s the most technically sound of all the guys I’ve watched on film this year. He does everything right. There’s kids who do one or two things well, but struggle in other departments. I feel like he was the most well-rounded,” Spencerport’s Buttaro said.
Hilton’s Jackson Maier, only a sophomore, will be one of Section V’s top LSMs for years to come. Byrnes noted a play in 2025, when Maier was a freshman, which he recognized the opposing goalie had retreated from the cage, so he fired a shot from his own end for a goal. “Jackson’s IQ is huge, and he’s just Mr. Guarantee on ground balls after faceoffs.”
For those that prefer an old school-style defenseman, Fairport’s John Mallaber is the ideal player. Said Hilton’s Byrnes, “He plays such good position that it’s hard for kids to beat him and go to goal. I tend to like stay-at-home defensemen, guys that don’t have flashy checks and just play straight up. They just create a bad day for an attackman, and that’s the kind of player he is.”
Honeoye Falls-Lima’s Sam Jokl, Brockport’s Mason Scott, East United-Eastridge’s Chancellor Williams, Brighton’s Zack Rossignol and Max Zwas, Rush-Henrietta’s Dominic Mariano and Hilton’s Luke Rawleigh were also singled out by local coaches.
Justin Ritzel works as a sports reporter for the Democrat and Chronicle, with a focus on Section V athletics and high school trends.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Meet these top boys lacrosse defenders who, literally, carry a big stick
Reporting by Justin Ritzel, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
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