2026 Shore Sports Insider Boys Lacrosse Freshman of the Year: Forrest Black, Middletown South

Freshmen aren’t supposed to score 52 goals.

Forrest Black did it anyway.

Most first-year players spend their opening season learning the game at the junior varsity level. Black spent his introducing himself as one of the Shore Conference’s most dangerous offensive threats.

The Middletown South attackman quickly proved he belonged against varsity competition, producing at a level rarely seen from a freshman and helping lead the Eagles to a winning season and a trip to the Shore Conference Tournament quarterfinals.

That immediate impact has earned Black Shore Sports Insider Freshman of the Year honors.

“Forrest was huge for us as our starting lefty attackman,” Middletown South head coach Connor Keating said. “He fit in nicely with our returning offensive leaders and immediately proved that he could compete against the top teams in the conference. Forrest was consistent all season, scoring in every game but one.”

Black’s numbers were impressive regardless of age.

The freshman finished with 52 goals, 10 assists, 62 points, and 20 ground balls while emerging as one of the focal points of Middletown South’s offense. His goal total ranked among the Shore Conference’s best and showcased a level of offensive production that many upperclassmen would have been proud to achieve.

What made Black especially dangerous was his versatility.

“He was able to develop as a dynamic threat, operating as a dodger or a step-down shooter,” Keating said.

Whether he was creating his own opportunities or finishing chances generated by teammates, Black consistently found ways to impact games. His most explosive performance came against Barnegat, when he scored a career-high six goals in one of the top individual efforts by a freshman in the Shore Conference this season.

As impressive as his scoring ability was, Keating believes Black’s success is rooted in his preparation and understanding of the game.

“What helps Forrest most is his intelligent approach to playing offense,” Keating said. “He is a student of the game and prepares for all of our opponents, coming to practice with questions and ideas for upcoming games.”

That preparation paid off throughout the season.

Black scored in all but one game and routinely delivered in key moments. One of his biggest performances came in the Shore Conference Tournament, when he recorded three goals and an assist in a 12-8 upset victory over Red Bank Catholic. The win sent Middletown South to the tournament quarterfinals and highlighted the trust the Eagles had already placed in their freshman standout.

Black’s emergence helped fuel a successful season for Middletown South.

The Eagles finished 11-8 and placed second in the Colonial Division, taking a significant step forward while blending veteran leadership with one of the Shore Conference’s most talented freshman groups.

According to Keating, Black’s commitment to improvement helped make that transition seamless.

“Forrest clearly just loves the game,” Keating said. “He plays all year and barely takes days off away from the lacrosse field. He not only wants to be successful, he wants to put in the work that it takes to be successful.”

That work ethic was shared by several members of Middletown South’s freshman class.

Black may have been the headliner, but he was far from the only newcomer to make an impact. Goalie Kyle Denery stepped into a starting role and recorded 126 saves, Colton Clark contributed 15 goals and 26 assists for 41 points, and Christian Rossitto added 29 ground balls. Together, the group played a major role in the Eagles’ success and provided a glimpse of what the future could hold.

“This season was a huge success for our program thanks to the great senior class we graduated,” Keating said. “These freshmen fit right in with our program culture and contributed to it immediately. I’m sure they will continue to contribute over the next three seasons as we hopefully continue to grow as a program.”

For most players, a 52-goal season would represent the culmination of years of varsity experience. For Black, it was only the beginning.

With three seasons still remaining at Middletown South, the Freshman of the Year has already established himself as one of the Shore Conference’s top young talents. More importantly for the Eagles, he won’t be making that journey alone. With Black, Denery, Clark, Rossitto, and the rest of a promising young core returning, the future of Middletown South lacrosse appears to be in very good hands. If this spring was any indication, the best days for both Black and the Eagles may still be ahead.