When it comes to Division 3 goalies, New England has undergone a changing of the guard. Several of the goalies that set the bar high these last few years – Concannon Award winner Conor O’Brien of Endicott and Brian McGrath (Worcester, Mass.) of Fitchburg State, to name two – have moved on, after careers that...
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When it comes to Division 3 goalies, New England has undergone a changing of the guard.
Several of the goalies that set the bar high these last few years – Concannon Award winner Conor O’Brien of Endicott and Brian McGrath (Worcester, Mass.) of Fitchburg State, to name two – have moved on, after careers that were bisected by the pandemic that halted parts of two seasons.
The guys leading the way this season are a mix of post-pandemic arrivals and netminders who’ve patiently bided their time to earn starting jobs.
Here are five goalies who have impressed.
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Andy Beran, jr., Colby
The 5-foot-8 Beran opted to play in the NAHL when the NESCAC canceled its season in 2020-21, but his impact was evident last winter as he backstopped Colby to the regular-season title. He was superb in the third period of Saturday night’s rivalry game against Bowdoin. In a battle of early unbeatens, the Mules (5-0, 3-0 NESCAC) got 11 saves from Beran in the final frame as they scored three times to earn a 4-2 win. Beran ranks seventh in the nation with a .953 save percentage.
Reid Cooper, gr., Curry
The Colonels (6-2, 5-2 CCC) have established themselves as a top-tier program in the Commonwealth Coast Conference these last couple of years, and the addition of Cooper – who transferred in after three seasons at Division 1 Robert Morris – has been one of the reasons. Already this season he’s anchored the team in key league wins against the University of New England and Salve Regina, and his numbers (1.75 goals-against average, .937 save percentage) while playing every minute for Curry are impressive.
Nolan Hildebrand, sr., Babson
Hildebrand’s is a story of perseverance. He saw action in two games as a freshman in 2019-20 before UMass transfer Brad Arvanitis (Holliston, Mass.) grabbed the starting job in a stranglehold and never loosened his grip. With Arvanitis trying to advance a pro career in the ECHL, the crease is now Hildebrand’s and he’s done well (2.04 GAA, .939 save percentage). He made 31 saves to help the Beavers (7-3-2, 4-2-2 NEHC) collect a key 1-1 tie against Norwich on Friday night.
Atticus Kelly, soph., Endicott
No goalies in the region had bigger shoes to fill than Kelly and classmate Ryan Wilson (Shelton, Conn.), the designated heirs apparent to O’Brien, who is now playing in the ECHL. Both have been very good, good enough to help the Gulls start the season 9-1 (6-0 CCC). But Kelly’s numbers are off the charts – the 6-foot-3 Minnesota native has posted a 1.04 goals-against average and .962 save percentage in five games. The 6-foot-2 Wilson (1.40, .932) has done his part in the other games.
Alex Wisco, jr., Amherst
What a weekend for hockey for the Mammoths. They beat previously unbeaten Wesleyan in overtime, 3-2, on Friday, then took down preseason NESCAC favorite Trinity, 3-2, on Saturday, earning longtime coach Jack Arena his 500th career win. Backstopping both of those victories was Wisco, who stopped 46 of 50 shots and – to this point – has provided a much-needed upgrade at the position for Amherst (4-1-1, 3-0 NESCAC).
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The Colonels (6-2, 5-2 CCC) have established themselves as a top-tier program in the Commonwealth Coast Conference these last couple of years, and the addition of Cooper – who transferred in after three seasons at Division 1 Robert Morris – has been one of the reasons. Already this season he’s anchored the team in key league wins against the University of New England and Salve Regina, and his numbers (1.75 goals-against average, .937 save percentage) while playing every minute for Curry are impressive.
What a weekend for hockey for the Mammoths. They beat previously unbeaten Wesleyan in overtime, 3-2, on Friday, then took down preseason NESCAC favorite Trinity, 3-2, on Saturday, earning longtime coach Jack Arena his 500th career win. Backstopping both of those victories was Wisco, who stopped 46 of 50 shots and – to this point – has provided a much-needed upgrade at the position for Amherst (4-1-1, 3-0 NESCAC).
