ASU’s Perlite Named Goalie of Week

(Photo by Bob White)

ATLANTA – By backstopping the Sun Devils to a pair of ranked wins, Arizona State senior netminder Johnny Perlite is Pearl’s Goalie of the Week for the period ending Feb. 24.

The Sun Devils opened the weekend with a 12-11 victory over No. 23 Cal Poly and the Clayton, Calif., product was a wall, turning away 23 shots to record the victory.

The next day, ASU entertained No. 14 UC Santa Barbara and again Perlite was outstanding, turning away 14 shots and allowing just three goals before giving way to a backup in the fourth quarter of an 18-4 triumph.

For the weekend, Perlite made 37 saves and allowed just 14 goals (72.5 sv%).

"Johnny is an outstanding goalie, a real gamer, and has been very instrumental in the development of a strong defensive group,” said Arizona State coach Casey Connor. “His play this weekend was exactly what we were looking for: making the saves he is supposed to and coming up with saves he shouldn’t.

“It keyed us for several long periods where we held our opponents off the board and that can really kick start momentum. He was fantastic as always."

For his efforts in earning the Pearl’s Performance of the Week, Perlite will receive a prize package from Guardian Pearl, a ball that lasts longer than the rest and never greases. Guardian Pearl is the proud partner of the MCLA.

Guardian Pear Honor Roll

Noah Bertrand, Soph. – Nevada
The Wolfpack handed Boise State an 11-10 overtime loss thanks in large part to Bertrand, who finished with 16 saves in the victory, many of them on the doorstep.

Nathan Cable, Fr. – Dominican
In wins over Biola and TCU, the rookie netminder combined for 24 saves and 15 goals against (61.3 sv%).

Frank Culhane, Sr. – Colorado State
In a pair of wins this weekend, Culhane was a rock. He started with a nine save performance in a win over Oregon State and followed that up with 20 stops in the 10-8 win over No. 16 Oregon.

Alex Haigh, Sr. – Stanford
The Cardinal ran its record to 5-0 with a 7-4 triumph over Sonoma State and Haigh was a wall, turning away 18 shots on the afternoon.

Spencer Kline, Jr. – Purdue
The Boilermakers took a pair of losses, but Kline stood tall against Pittsburgh and Boston College, making 28 saves against 15 goals (65.1 sv%).

Tyler Schweickert, Soph. – Concordia-Irvine
In a weekend sweep of USC and TCU, the Tustin, Calif., product combined for 27 saves against just 11 goals allowed (71.2 sv%).