Notable Underclassmen Performances from the NJSIAA State Playoffs

Photo: @dr25.media   Wrapping up a fantastic 2026 spring season, lets take a look at multiple top-notch underclassmen performances from the final few rounds of the NJSIAA State Playoffs.    In his first season as a varsity starter in net, Frey was a calm presence anchoring for the Bulldogs' defense and was clutch down the stretch of this playoff run for his squad. He finished his sophomore campaign with 165 saves, 11 of which came in their South Jersey Group 1 sectional finals loss to Rumson-Fair Haven, where the Big 4 HHH product stood tall in cage and denied many shots from a slew of great shooters for the opposition. When opponents are in tight, Frey is patient, which helps him track the ball, and he is light on his feet to make highlight-reel plays on the regular with swift movements. In the clearing game, he is methodical with the ball and does not fall into many turnover situations, but when the chance comes to get the ball up and out, he can sling it upfield for transition chances.     Monte played a large role in the Maroons' success this spring, finishing 2nd on the team in goals (36), assists (11), and points (47), and displayed his skill on the big stage, helping Ridgewood to a state championship for the first time since 2023. In the Group 4 state championship vs. Southern, Monte tallied a pair of goals and assists and was a spark for his offense all season with crafty dodging abilities and a quick release on his shot. As just a freshman, he has good size at the righty attack spot and plays tough, not afraid of contact and has showcased his ability to finish in traffic throughout the spring. The BBL product has all the tools to be a big-time player in his class and it will be fun to watch him progress throughout his high school career.     McGovern was a standout performer for the Renegades this spring, posting 34 goals, 31 assists and 65 points, 3rd on the team in each category and showing a lot of promise for what the future might hold. He was a big reason why Shawnee got to the South Jersey Group 3 sectional finals where they fell short to a loaded Summit squad. However, in the semifinals against Moorestown, the Leading Edge product recorded a hat trick and a pair of assists in the 13-3 win. He has good speed at the midfield position to gain a step on his matchup and displays a quick trigger and a powerful shot to do damage from long distance. The future seems to be bright for this young prospect and he will be hoping to get Shawnee back to the top of the mountain.     Stiansen lit up the scoreboard for the Spartans in his sophomore season, finishing 2nd on the team in goals (42) and showcasing how much of a threat he can be from range. In a historic season for Sparta, the BBL product capped off their Group 2 state championship with four goals in their 9-5 win against Ocean City and fueled the offense with good off-ball movement and shooting skill. With time and room, Stiansen is very effective with his size, strength, and accuracy, displaying the ability to change planes and mix up his shot locations to be efficient. He will be a key player for the Spartans next spring, and it will be interesting to see how he develops his craft in the offseason.     Smith had a very productive sophomore season for the Blue Devils, posting an even 32 goals and 32 assists, trailing only [player_tooltip player_id='120530' first='Koby' last='Waldman'] for the most points on the team. In Westfield's narrow 11-10 victory against Bridgewater-Raritan in the North Jersey Group 4 semifinals, the Leading Edge product connected on three goals and tallied an assist as well, showing that he can be dependable in a close and intense battle, while also being effective with the capability to use either hand. Smith has displayed the quickness to cleanly beat his matchup with an array of dodges at his disposal and with his hands free and his head up, he can be a threat from anywhere on the field.     The Rams playoff run may have come to an end, but for Veenstra, it seems like he may only be scratching the surface of his full potential. With a breakout sophomore season, he helped his team to a 12-7 record and assisted them in reaching the North Jersey Group 1 state sectional final where they fell short to Mountain Lakes. In their 12-1 semifinal win vs. Jefferson, the BBL product finished with a goal and four assists, doing what he has done all year long for Ramsey by showcasing his ability to facilitate and create for his teammates. He closed out the year leading his team in assists (35) and finished 2nd on the team in points (54). Veenstra does a great job of dodging hard with his head up and displays great vision to survey the field for cutters or skip lanes. He will be a player to look out for for the next few years.

Photo: @dr25.media