(Photo by Anna Scipione)

ATLANTA – After backstopping San Diego State to an upset victory over the weekend, senior Karl Hedberg has been named the MCLA Division I PEARL Goalie of the Week for the period ending Feb. 4.

The 16th-ranked Aztecs faced off with No. 13 UC Santa Barbara in the season opener at home, and thanks to the hometown product, San Diego State posted the impressive, 11-6 victory.

Hedberg finished with 13 saves and only allowed the six markers, good for a 68.4 save percentage.

“Hedberg was a critical piece in holding Santa Barbara to six goals,” said San Diego State coach Bryan Bome. “He made all the saves we expected him to, as well as a bunch we didn’t. This is the type of goaltending you need if you’re going to beat good teams.”

For winning the PEARL Goalie of the Week honor, Hedberg will receive a PEARL swag bag of goodies that will include PEARL lacrosse balls – the official ball of the MCLA.

PEARL Honor Roll

Lucas Chu, Jr. – Cal Poly
Backed by a 14-save performance from the Morristown, N.J., product, Cal Poly held off USC on the road, 10-7.

Jack Gaeger, Jr. - West Virginia
The Charleston, W.V., product combined for 37 saves and a 60.6 save percentage, helping the Mountaineers to a 1-1 weekend.

Finnegan Harris, Sr. – Pittsburgh
The Panthers got off to a 1-0 start thanks to the Morristown, N.J., product. Harris made 13 saves against just four goals against in a win over Miami (Ohio).

Alex Petrush, Sr. – South Carolina
The Danville, Calif., native led the Gamecocks to an opening upset of No. 5 Georgia by making 12 stops in the 9-8 victory.

Paul Pilgrim, Fr. – Florida
In his first collegiate start, the Mailtland, Fla., native turned away 16 West Virginia shots (64.0 percent) in the Gators season-opening victory.

Cody Wiebe, Gr. – California
A former Tufts player now at grad school in Berkeley, the Menlo product made 15 saves and allowed just four goals in the Bears opening win at Santa Clara.