Boston Forge 2026 Preview: Forging a New Path

By: Maya Shokrian

The Boston Forge are looking forward to a tough season with a very different roster. It will be a season of rebuilding with a long list of rookies and an even longer list of losses. They have proven to be resilient and adaptable in the past, but this year, Boston will need to rely heavily on this new generation of players to stay competitive. 

Last year, Boston did very well in the regular season, winning two out of three of their series and making it to the quarterfinals of the 2025 MLQ Championship. However, their season was cut short after they lost to the Minneapolis Monarchs, 2-1, in a historic upset. This season, the Forge will face the Washington Admirals on June 20th and the New York Titans on July 11th before making an appearance at the Eastern Conference Championship from Aug. 1 to Aug. 2  in Hamilton, Ohio.

One of Boston's biggest advantages this year lies in their continuity off the pitch. All four coaches will be returning from last season, with Kieran Collier at the helm as head coach in a non-playing role, alongside assistant coaches Emma Persons, Andrew Steinberg, and Ethan Dillon. Last year, the Forge had a few notable roster losses, including the departure of coach Harry Greenhouse and players such as Leanne Dillmann, Zach Doyle, Peter Lawrence, and Emily Hickmott. However, they had great success in creating new lines and bringing some of their rookies to the forefront, leading to a fairly successful season. As they look forward to this year, Boston has to look to be innovative and create new opportunities for itself. 

The league itself will look different this year. With MLQ restructuring the Eastern Conference into the Atlantic and Gateway Divisions, Boston now finds itself competing in the Atlantic Division alongside the Titans and the Washington Admirals. 

Boston’s roster features a heavy influx of new players, alongside a mix of 21 club players and nine college athletes. Early signings like Ryan Callaghan, Tommy Flathers, Ufuk Gunner, Ryan Leary, and Sena Morimoto give the team a foundation to build on, bringing a blend of experience, athleticism, and versatility. However, replacing the production and chemistry of departed veterans will be no small task.

The loss of key players such as Lulu Xu and Max Havlin leaves a noticeable gap, particularly in the beater unit, where their partnership anchored Boston’s control of the game in past seasons. Filling that void will likely require newer players stepping into larger roles and adapting quickly to the pace and physicality of MLQ. But, even when their forces are weakened, Boston has proven their prowess time and time again. Last year, the Forge managed to get a win in all three of their regular-season series, notably sweeping the Washington Admirals, sweeping the Charlotte Aviators, and taking the second game against New York.

Early matchups against the Admirals on June 20th and the Titans on July 11th will offer an immediate test for the Forge. Both teams have proven to be formidable opponents, and these games could serve as a measure for how quickly Boston’s new roster can come together. Boston will also get a good break between their series against the Titans on July 11th and the Eastern Conference Championships at the beginning of August, giving them time to refine and adapt after their games against New York and Washington.

For the Forge, 2026 is less about replicating last season’s results and more about establishing a foundation for the future. With a long list of MLQ rookies, Boston looks very different this year, but they can use this to their advantage with young, fresh players coming in; there are plenty of opportunities for growth. The pieces are there: experienced coaching, promising additions, and a track record of adaptability, but success will depend on how quickly this new core can develop. If Boston can find their rhythm early, this rebuilding year may turn into something far more competitive than expected.

Returners

Cleo Brooks (Boston Lobsters)

Ryan Callaghan (Brandeis)

Thomas Demouth (Vermont United)

Ethan Dillon (Boston Lobsters)

Tommy Flathers (Boston Lobsters)

Jade Gray (Boston Lobsters)

Ufuk Gunner (Boston Lobsters)

Sam Magner (Purdue)

Swathi Mannem (Chaos)

Emma Persons (Boston Lobsters)

William Richardson (Boston Lobsters)

Angela Song (Reign QC)

Andrew Steinberg (Boston Lobsters)

Stephen Trempel (Vermont United)

Alex Wicken (Boston Lobsters)

Rookies

Lance Bae (Boston Lobsters)

Molly French (Boston University)

Janie Hillman (Boston Lobsters)

Jonathan Nam (NY Slice)

Matan Schwartz (Brandeis)

Evan Sciarabba (Boston University)

Elisa See (Harvard)

Jason Wang (Harvard)

Andres Zalowitz (Brandeis)

Additions/Transfers

Eli Fighter, (Returning to roster) (Boston Lobsters)

Ryan Leary, (Transfer from Titans) (Emerson College)

Sena Morimoto (Returning to roster) (Reign QC)

Jordan Smiley (Returning to roster) (Vermont United)

Athilesh Thanigai (Transfer from Admirals) (Chaos)

Fiona Wisehart (Vermont United)