UNH’s Leach is Goalie of Week

ATLANTA – After leading New Hampshire to a pair of Top 5 road victories, Wildcat junior netminder John Leach has earned MCLA Division I PEARL Goalie of the Week honors for the period ending March 8.

New Hampshire opened the weekend on Saturday against defending national champion and No. 1-ranked South Carolina. The Northborough, Mass., product made 12 stops and allowed just eight goals as the Wildcats stunned the Gamecocks, 11-8.

On Sunday, UNH squared off with No. 5 Georgia Tech in Atlanta and once again Leach was a difference-maker. He not only made 14 saves in the 13-12 victory, but also dished out an assist along the way.

UNH goalie John Leach helping his own cause by dropping a dime on the fast break in the upset of No. 5 Georgia Tech. #mcla20 @UNHLacrosse pic.twitter.com/s4fsApIKqQ
— MCLA Tournament '20 (@MCLA_Tournament) March 10, 2020

For the weekend, he made 26 saves and allowed 20 goals (56.5 save percentage) against two of the best teams in the country.

“Having a goalie like Leach solidifies our defense and takes so much pressure off everyone,” said New Hampshire coach Scott Eiseman. “Then he electrifies our entire team by making those big saves no one is supposed to be able to make.”

For his efforts in earning the Pearl’s Performance of the Week, Leach 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

Louis Harvey, Fr. – Santa Clara
The Broncos hit the road for a key WCLL contest against Stanford and Harvey blocked 18 Cardinal shots to secure the 18-6 victory.

Lad Howell, Soph. – Clemson
Despite playing with a broken finger suffered in warm-ups, Howell turned away 14 Virginia Tech shots as the Tigers upset the Hokies, 15-8.

Mason Moon, Soph. – Brigham Young
The Cougars went to Boise and swept away Boise State, Simon Fraser and Washington helped by Moon’s efforts. He finished with a combined 22 saves with 10 goals against (68.8%).