MoBap’s Ates Has D-II Top Performance
ATLANTA – On the strength of his second victory against a ranked opponent in as many weeks, Missouri Baptist freshman goalie Robert Ates has earned the MCLA Division II Commanding Performance of the Week powered by Under Armour for the period ending April 10.
Squaring off with No. 21 Lindenwood-Belleville, Ates made 14 total saves – including six in the decisive fourth quarter – allowing the Spartans to take the 8-6 victory. Earlier in the week, Ates made 10 saves against Washington (Mo.).
It was the second ranked win in as many weeks, as Ates made 14 stops in a 7-3 win over No. 19 St. Andrews on the road. For the season, the O’Fallon, Ill., native has a 59.0 save percentage.
“Robby is having an incredible year for our program,” said Missouri Baptist coach Andy Joly. “He has met and exceeded every expectation we had for him becoming our starting goalie as a freshman. This kid is playing at an upperclassman level and is doing it against some of the nation's best teams.”
For his efforts in earning the Commanding Performance of the Week powered by Under Armour, Ates will receive a new Under Armour Command Head. Under Armour is the proud sponsor of the MCLA.
UNDER ARMOUR HONOR ROLL
Dan Burke, Sr., St. Thomas – In the Tommies overtime victory against No. 7 St. John’s, Burke had two goals and an assist. He finished the weekend with a combined seven points (5g, 2a).
Aiden Kennedy, Sr., San Diego – The Toreros went 3-0 this week to clinch a home playoff game for the first time in program history, helped by 14 goals and seven assists from Kennedy.
Avery Normandin, Soph., North Dakota State – The Bison knocked of D-I No. 25 Minnesota, 9-6, helped by Normandin’s work at the dot. He won 14-of-18 faceoffs as the Bison improved to 9-1.
Jared Yoshino, Jr., Lourdes – The Gray Wolves rolled past UM-Dearborn and Aquinas, thanks to a combined seven goals and 13 assists from the attackman.