Tritons’ Gulbrandsen Gets PEARL Nod

(Photo by Anna Scipione)

ATLANTA – With three games worth of dominant netminding, UC San Diego freshman backstop Kian Gulbrandsen is the MCLA Division II PEARL Goalie of the Week for the period ending March 2.

The Tritons went to Idaho for a three-game swing against three quality opponents and thanks to the Laguna Niguel, Calif., goalie, UCSD came home with wins in all three.

It started on Thursday against host Northwest Nazarene, and Gilbrandsen was a different-maker. He turned away 16 shots as the Tritons held on for a 12-11 victory. The following day, UCSD matched up with Utah and this time Gulbrandsen made 20 saves in a 11-10 triumph.

He capped off the weekend on Sunday with 20 more saves in a 9-6 win over previously undefeated Florida Atlantic.

For the weekend, he amassed 56 saves while allowing 27 – good for a save percentage of 67.5.

“Kian has a work ethic and dedication for improving his overall goalie craft that in a freshman is rare,” said UC San Diego coach Albert Man. “His ball-stopping ability sometimes makes you shake your head in disbelief, and this weekend he changed the trajectory of all three games in Idaho.

“Coaches often talk about players that make plays that inspire the team. Kian makes plays that are like a defibrillator shock to the heart, that give you another life. Sky's the limit for Kian and I can't wait to see what he achieves in the next four years.

As the recipient of the PEARL Goalie of the Week honor, Gulbrandsen will receive a PEARL swag bag of goodies that will include PEARL lacrosse balls – the official ball of the MCLA.

PEARL Honor Roll

Alex Acker, Florida Atlantic
Combined for 49 saves and just 24 goals against in the Owls 2-1 road trip to Idaho.