ATLANTA – After backstopping Montana State in an upset of the top team in the country, Bobcat senior netminder Ethan Zwickey is the MCLA Division II PEARL Goalie of the Week for the period ending March 5.

Facing off with No. 1 Montana in Missoula, Zwickey was a wall. He turned away 17 shots as the Bobcats cruised to a 10-6 victory. It was the lowest scoring output for the Grizzlies since they lost to Montana State last April.

The Belgrade, Mont., product also scooped up seven ground balls in the victory.

“Ethan’s performance on Friday night was everything we needed from our anchor,” said Montana State coach Chris Kelley. “Being a local product from Belgrade [Mont.], EZ loves this rivalry to its core. His confidence going into the few practices leading up to the game was borderline stoic.

“I would not ask for anyone else to be in the cage for this one. His leadership held together a stout defense with confident communication and a bit of a rebound after letting a few through in the third. He also had a great eye and shared information in each of our time outs and huddles to keep everyone on the team focused on the task at hand. Overall, it’s one of his top performances I've seen and can't wait to see what he does for the rest of the year.”

For earning the PEARL’s Goalie of the Week, Zwickey 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.

PEARL Honor Roll

Aidan Kelly, Soph. – Dayton
The Glen Ellyn, Ill., native made 13 saves in the Flyers ranked victory over a high-powered Florida Atlantic outfit.

Jake McCarthy, Soph. – St. John’s
In wins over Northwest Nazarene and Colorado Mines, the Bloomington, Minn., native combined for 35 saves against 17 goals against.

Grant Shafer, Sr. – Florida Gulf Coast
The New Lenox, Ill., product made 11 saves against just six goals allowed (64.7 save percentage) in a victory over No. 19 Miami.