ATLANTA – After guiding St. Thomas to its second straight UMLC tournament championship, senior midfielder Simon Gondeck has earned MCLA Division II Commanding Performance of the Week powered by Under Armour for the period ending April 24.

Gondeck buried a goal in the Tommies’ 7-4 victory over No. 7 St. John’s in the UMLC semifinals, and then the Wayzata, Minn., product put St. Thomas on his back in the championship game. Facing outstanding goalie play from the Bulldogs, Gondeck struck for five markers, accounting for over half the team’s output in a 9-7 victory.

That win propelled St. Thomas into the MCLA National Championships for the 11th consecutive season.

“Simon has been a huge addition to our team this year, his first with St. Thomas after transferring from the University of Minnesota,” said St. Thomas coach Brian Gross. “Simon's skills on the offensive end are clear, as he leads our midfielders with 31 points. But, more importantly, Simon has brought another veteran voice to an offense with a number of young players, and his on- and off-field leadership has been invaluable to our team this year.”

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

UNDER ARMOUR HONOR ROLL

Aaron Peterson & Kyle Kattermann, Minn.-Duluth – The freshman and sophomore goalies, respectively, teamed up to guide the Bulldogs to the championship game of the UMLC tourney before falling to St. Thomas.

Aidan Kennedy, Sr., San Diego – In his first-ever playoff game, Kennedy scored 12 goals (on 15 shots) while assisting on three others, amassing a 15-point evening in the Toreros 27-8 win over Biola.

Jared Yoshino, Jr., Lourdes – In the Gray Wolves’ quarterfinal matchup with No. 20 Indiana Tech, Yoshino had seven goals, one assist, nine ground balls and two caused turnovers.