Sarah Hlusko photo: Sophomore Michael Grace is second in Div. II with a goals against average of 4.87. He is the only underclassman in the top five.Goaltenders in any sport are different. They function differently; something about them doesn’t add up. Most of the goaltender’s time is spent isolated, with only their thoughts to keep them company.
There isn’t a test to determine what makes a good goalie. You either are or you aren’t.
Men’s lacrosse Coach Chris Ryan has been lucky enough to have two very good goalies back to back.
“They are a different breed,” Ryan said.
Goaltenders in any sport are different. They function differently; something about them doesn’t add up. Most of the goaltender’s time is spent isolated, with only their thoughts to keep them company.
There isn’t a test to determine what makes a good goalie. You either are or you aren’t.
Men’s lacrosse Coach Chris Ryan has been lucky enough to have two very good goalies back to back.
“They are a different breed,” Ryan said.
This includes current sophomore goaltender Michael Grace. Even he agrees with Ryan.
“Instinctively, you want to jump out of the way of a ball going 90 mph,” said Grace. “Consistently doing the opposite probably knocks a screw loose.”
Grace took over the starting role this season following the graduation of starter Zach Nash. This means that Grace has to fill the shoes of the all-time leader in goals against average in school history.
Also, there is the National Championship banner that Nash helped bring to Mercyhurst.
“Zach Nash was a very good goalie,” said Grace. “It was great to learn from him for my first year.”
Grace was able to watch the best goaltender in team history and learn. It would appear he has picked up a few tricks, as he has helped the team to a perfect 12-0 record.
“He taught me to move onto the next goal and have a short memory,” Grace said.
The way the team has played thus far, Grace’s memory doesn’t need to be too short. He averages only 4.87 goals against him each game. If the season ended today, Grace would be the new school record-holder, but the record isn’t what he is worried about.
“I don’t pay too much attention to personal stats,” said Grace. “I think it says more about our defense in front of me.”
Sometimes there are goals that seem like they are going in, and there is nothing a goalie can do about it. Don’t tell that to Grace, though.
“I try to take the mentality that I could do something to stop any goal,” Grace said.
It is amazing how far Grace has come in just one year. This time last season, he was the fourth goalie on the depth chart.
With Nash graduated, the three remaining goalies had an open tryout during the fall. Grace was eventually named the starter just 10 days before the first game. He attributes his improvement in goal to one of his coaches.
“Coach Metcalf got me to stop relying on being an athlete in goal,” said Grace. “He got me to focus on technique.”
Grace took the starting job and hasn’t looked back since.
“It was a big confidence boost when I was named starter,” Grace said.
The key to his success has been film study. Grace watches film the night before he faces each opponent.
“I try to study shooting tendencies and where the other team likes to shoot from on the field,” Grace said.
Only once this season has Grace not watched film. Before the Dowling game, there was bus trouble, which interrupted his routine.
Grace then had one of his best games of the season against the No. 3 team in Div. II, but he won’t change his routine even after that.
“I absolutely would not stop watching film,” said Grace. “I always want to be prepared heading into a game.”
Grace has one more game to prepare for before the start of the playoffs. The final home game of the season is against Molloy on Saturday, May 5, at 1 p.m.
