St. John’s Nelson is Goalie of Week

ATLANTA – After backstopping the Johnnies to a win over the defending national championships, St. John’s senior netminder Ryan Nelson was named Pearl’s MCLA Division II Goalie of the Week for the period ending April 7.

No. 6 North Dakota State visited the Gagliardi Dome on Saturday afternoon with the seventh-ranked Johnnies looking for their third ranked win of the campaign. Thanks to Nelson, they got it.

The Mahtomedi, Minn., product turned away 23 Bison shots (74.2 sv%) in St. John’s 12-8 victory. Nelson also chipped in with four caused turnovers.

“Ryan was a big difference in our win vs NDSU,” said St. John’s coach Derek Daehn. “He tied career-high performance in saves along with helping creating turnovers on picked passes and two saved possessions on shots. Ryan answered the call whenever we needed a big play.”

For his efforts in earning the Pearl’s Performance of the Week, Nelson 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 Pearl Honor Roll

Noah Becker, Soph. – UNC-Charlotte
In a split of home games against Appalachian State (W) and North Florida (L), Becker combined for 28 saves and 13 goals against (68.3 sv%).

Jake Downing, Fr. – MSU-Denver
Downing had a heroic effort in the Roadrunners' 5-4 overtime upset of No. 20 UC San Diego, making 23 stops (85.2 sv%).

Joe Kissick, Sr. – North Florida
In a huge matchup with UNC-Charlotte, Kissick turned away 14 shots and allowed just six goals (70.0 sv%) to help pull out the big win.

Blake Nastrom, Jr. – Minn.-Duluth
The Bulldogs downed conference rival St. Thomas, 11-4, thanks to a 19-save performance in net by Nastrom.

Peter Nichols, Fr. – Montana State
The Bobcats retained the Copper Cup as the rookie made 19 saves (67.9 sv%) in the 14-9 road victory over Montana.