SNC’s Erickson Shines

ATLANTA – After helping Sierra Nevada pull off an impressive split on its Upper Midwest swing, Eagles rookie goalie Eddie Erickson has snared the MCLA Division II Commanding Performance of the Week powered by Under Armour for the period ending March 19.

Sierra Nevada came up short against defending champion St. Thomas on Wednesday, but through no fault of Erickson. The Portland, Ore., product made 18 saves in the 12-5 setback in St. Paul.

Erickson followed that up with 15 saves and just two goals allowed in a 10-2 victory over No. 12 Minn.-Duluth on Saturday.

For the week, he posted a 7.00 goals against average versus two Top 12 programs along with a 73.3 save percentage. He also chipped in with three ground balls.

“We're very fortunate to have two very high-level goalies in our program, one a senior and one a freshman,” said Sierra Nevada coach Matt Blamey. “Sometimes coaches worry about the pressure of high-level games getting to the younger players. That isn't the case with Eddie. The bigger the game, the more he seems to thrive. Eddie's performance this week is one of the best I've witnessed over a two-game stretch. We couldn't have asked him to play any better between the pipes."

For his efforts in earning the Commanding Performance of the Week powered by Under Armour, Erickson will receive a new Under Armour Command Head – a $100 value. Under Armour is the proud sponsor of the MCLA.

Under Armour Honor Roll

Ian Bragdon, Sr. – Fort Lewis
The Fort was coming off a three-game losing streak, but Bragdon made sure it was short-lived with a combined six goals and seven assists in wins over Johnson & Wales and Colorado Mines.

Ryan Cass, Jr. – Dayton
The Flyers pushed their winning streak to seven games after doubling up No. 13 Grove City, 8-4. Cass accounted for five of Dayton’s eight goals in the triumph.

Sean Goodell, Soph. – Concordia-Irvine
The Eagle juggernaut continued helped by Goodell. He combined for four goals and five dimes in victories over UC San Diego and Cal State Long Beach.

Charlie Venable, Jr. – St. Thomas
The St. Thomas steamroller continued its annihilation tour with two more ranked wins and Venable led the way with four goals against No. 11 Montana State and a pair against No. 6 Sierra Nevada.

(Photo by Jimmy McIntyre)