ATLANTA – For being the catalyst of Minn.-Duluth’s stunning victory over defending national champion and previously undefeated St. Thomas, Bulldog freshman midfielder Ryan Larson has earned Commanding Performance of the Week powered by Under Armour for the period ending April 9.

Larson posted a hat trick against the top-ranked Tommies and all of the Savage, Minn., product’s goals were in the critical second half. He scored the seventh, eighth and game-tying ninth goals of the contest for Duluth in the Bulldogs’ 10-9 victory.

With Larson’s help, the Bulldogs snapped St. Thomas’ 26-game winning streak.

A day before in a UMLC contest against MSU-Mankato, Larson notched an additional hat trick with an assist thrown in as UMD rolled, 16-5.

“Ryan is a clear leader by example anytime he touches the lacrosse field,” said Duluth co-coach Alex McNamara. “His speed and lacrosse IQ have made him a very difficult player to defend. More importantly, it is his work ethic and drive to make this team and his teammates better that impress the most.

“As a freshman, he continues to make upperclassman-type plays in the biggest games at crucial moments. Ryan has only just scratched the surface of his full potential at UMD.”

For his efforts in earning the Commanding Performance of the Week powered by Under Armour, Larson will receive a new Under Armour Command Head – a $100 value. Under Armour is the proud sponsor of the MCLA.

Under Armour Honor Roll

Liam Birrell, Jr. – Northern Arizona
The Lumberjacks stunned No. 8 Cal State Fullerton, 13-10, thanks to a strong performance in the cage by Birrell. He turned away 16 shots (61.5 sv%) as 11-1 NAU bolstered its postseason resume.

Chase Clark, Fr. – Great Falls
Playing both long-pole defense and attack, Clark helped the Argos spring their second straight upset, this time over No. 21 WWU, with four goals, two assists and six ground balls.

Eric Larson, Sr. – Montana
The Grizzlies went 2-0, including a win over No. 21 Western Washington. Larson was a huge factor in both wins, dropping 11 points (7g, 4a) on the Vikings and another 10 (8g, 2a) on Puget Sound.

Sean McGreal, Soph. – Bridgewater State
The Bears winning streak improved to five games with a pair of wins over Bridgeport and New Haven, helped by eight goals and six assists from McGreal.

Logan Perry, Soph. – Concordia-Irvine
The middie led the Eagles to a pair of big ranked wins. He scored four goals in a 12-10 win over No. 11 Montana State and followed with a trick in the 7-5 win over No. 5 Sierra Nevada.

Anthony SanFilippo, Jr. – Metro State
The Roadrunners coasted to a pair of wins, including a divisional tilt against Johnson & Wales thanks to a combined nine goals and five assists from the attackman.