SMU’s Connolly Has D-I Top Performance
ATLANTA – After backstopping Southern Methodist to its first Lone Star Alliance championship – and first bid to the MCLA National Championships – senior goalie Adam Connolly has earned MCLA Division I Commanding Performance of the Week powered by Under Armour for the period ending April 24.
In the semifinals against Texas A&M, Connolly turned away 17 shots in a wild, 17-12 victory over the Aggies. He followed that up with a masterpiece in the championship game against Texas State. Locked in a tight contest with the Bobcats, Connolly finished with 19 stops and was dominant in the fourth quarter, allowing the Mustangs to go on a 5-1 binge that proved to be the difference in the 11-6 win.
For the weekend, the New Canaan, Conn., native made 36 saves for a 66.7 save percentage. More importantly, in the two fourth quarters, Connolly allowed just one goal combined. For his efforts this year, Connolly was named the LSA Most Valuable Player.
"He has been the bedrock of our defense since his freshman year,” said SMU coach Karl Lynch. “Over the years we have been able to grow the entire program around him."
For his efforts in earning the Commanding Performance of the Week powered by Under Armour, Connolly will receive a new Under Armour Command Head. Under Armour is the proud sponsor of the MCLA.
UNDER ARMOUR HONOR ROLL
Dom Guarino & Connor Sullivan, Indiana – The two faceoff men teamed up to win 18-of-23 draws, helping the Hoosiers post an 11-10 win over Purdue and capture the top seed in the GRLC tourney.
Matt Higgins, Jr., Pittsburgh – In a season-ending win over Western Michigan, Higgins set the school record for goals in a game with 11 to help the Panthers grab the No. 2 seed in the CCLA tourney.
Eddie Richardson, Sr., Boston College – In the Eagles rivalry win over Northeastern, the d-middie had a goal and nine ground balls, helping BC post a 17-5 victory.
Matthew Sommerfeldt, Sr., Georgia Tech – Sommerfeldt allowed just 17 goals in three SELC tourney games to help the Yellow Jackets capture the title. He was named the tournament’s defensive MVP.