UCF’S Cacciatore Earns Goalie of Week
ATLANTA – With a spectacular performance against a key rival to keep the Knights’ postseason hopes alive, Central Florida senior netminder Christopher Cacciatore earned Pearl’s MCLA Division I Goalie of the Week award for the period ending March 31.
Squaring of against Florida on Friday night in Orlando, the Satellite Beach, Fla., product turned away 23 shots, allowing the Knights to post a 9-8 overtime victory against the Gators.
The victory was Central Florida’s first over Florida since 2013. The Knights will now go head-to-head with Florida State to determine the top seed in the SELC tournament out of the Southeast division.
“Chris is a remarkable goalie and an outstanding teammate, consistently doing whatever is asked of him for the team,” said Central Florida coach Austin Ricci. “Against UF he stood on his head, consistently making incredible saves to give us a shot at winning the game.
“Throughout the season, he has consistently been a mentor, role model and leader on the team, and I can honestly say the we would not be a fraction of the team we are today without him with us.”
For his efforts in earning the Pearl’s Performance of the Week, Cacciatore 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.
Guardian Pearl Honor Roll
Drew Duarte, Jr. – Connecticut
The Huskies picked up a big win against CLC East foe Northeastern thanks to Duarte making 16 saves (64.0 sv%) in a 10-9 win.
Brayden Harriman, Sr. – Liberty
In a showdown with No. 6 South Carolina, the Laconia, N.H., product turned away a career-high 23 shots (67.6 sv%) in the Flames’ 12-11 victory.
John Leach, Soph. – New Hampshire
In a big CLC East clash, Leach was a stone wall, making 16 saves (84.2 sv%) against No. 11 Boston College in a 16-3 rout.
Thomas O’Hara, Sr. – Kansas
The Jayhawks handed Arkansas just its second loss of the season thanks to O’Hara, who made 25 saves (78.1 sv%) in the Kansas’ 10-7 triumph.