This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
05/14/2024 11:43 AMIsaiah Forney may have responded a little bit later than desired when it came to the party that is the sport of lacrosse. Still, he has more than made up for any lost time by quickly grasping the acumen and gaining the skills necessary to be a nimble and nifty netminder.
The Branford senior did not start playing sports until his freshman year with the Hornets when he joined the basketball squad. But then for his follow-up year, he saw himself onto the lacrosse turf as a sophomore, and the love affair was on from there.
Now, two years later, he has worked his way up to being the starting goalkeeper for the Branford boys’ lacrosse team and occasionally serves as a midfielder.
“That first year I played, the team was very good, and I just picked up this love for the game. I know the coaches very well and just enjoy the company of the team. I think the whole team and the little things about the sport really grew on me,” says Isaiah. “I know I started the sport late, but that just drove me to work harder to be better and more consistent. My coaches have also been a big help because they push me and want me to do well and succeed.”
Between the pipes, Isaiah loves to have the full scope of the field. Yet he loves chasing the incredible adrenaline rush of making a monumental stop that can change the complexion of a quarter, or even a game. He also relishes in the task at hand of being a de facto defensive captain.
“As a goalie, nothing beats standing out there with people around you and making that big save. You want to just keep chasing that feeling,” says Isaiah. “I also love how it is a big responsibility of leadership because you really have to communicate and have command over the defense.”
Isaiah makes his moves all over the turf on a daily basis as a meticulous athlete and thinker when it comes to being precise down to the smallest of details. He is constantly in search of the formidable formula to get him to perform at his peak.
“I love going to practice every day and just thinking about every little thing I need to do as a goalie,” Isaiah says. “I focus on the little things like having the best stick position and the correct stance when I am in net. it is about finding those little things and doing them on a consistent basis.”
The ability to swipe the ball aside from any danger from the Hornets’ nest is a sound attribute that is in Isaiah's repertoire, as he functions as one with his defense. He openly admits, though, that he is motivated towards improving his reps with seeing swipes at his territory by opposing offenses.
“I think I do really well with clears on the ball, and our scheme works well together, and so we are able to get the ball up the field more. it is a big part of our game," Isaiah says. “I need to work on seeing more shots every day whenever possible and just seeing everything out there.”
Branford boys’ lacrosse Head Coach Jim May declares that Isaiah’s commitments to the sport affected the fate of the entire program. He has earned the admiration of his fellow peers and opposing coaches across the Southern Connecticut Conference.
“Isaiah is in his third year as a lacrosse player and second year as a goalie. We would not of had a program last year if he did not step in and be the leader he is. It takes a special individual to do that,” says May. “Playing goalie in lacrosse is the hardest position in sports. Isaiah has the respect from his teachers, teammates, and the community. After high school, he will be going into the Marines, and I would not want anyone else to have my back and represent our country. Isaiah is the hardest working player on the team and has been that way all three years. Isaiah’s stats are not conducive to what type of player and teammate he is. All coaches in the league have high praise of his character. He is a captain, scholar student, and a great human being.”
Isaiah has harnessed a lot of wise knowledge and creeds from his mentors about things that stretch well beyond the sidelines of a lacrosse turf. He denotes that there is certainly more to the big picture than shots, saves, and ground balls. He knows being a top caliber student-athlete also entails being a consummate professional and human being.
“I have heard from Coach May in the past that life is not all about lacrosse,” says Isaiah. “He has been about teaching us to be better people and having high character and integrity, especially when facing adversity. That is a big thing I have learned that will help me as I move forward.”
Speaking of the future, Isaiah and the Hornets are looking into the horizon as they begin to close the book on the 2024 campaign. Regardless of pedigree prior to coming onto the roster this spring, each young man has improved from the first face off on Opening Day to the final horn on the season finale. It was a group that never stopped strengthening themselves or stepping out of their comfort zones.
“I think that we made progress in that no matter the experience and skill level each guy had, they kept actively working to get better,” says Isaiah. “We also had guys step up to play new positions, and we had guys that kept improving at their positions this year.”