There were few question marks bigger on the 2008 men’s lacrosse team roster than the goalie position. For the past three years, two-time all-american Charlie Congleton ’07 has been a mainstay between the pipes for the Cards. During that span, the team went to the NCAA tournament all three years and twice made the national quarterfinal game.
Big shoes to fill? No doubt.
But start memorizing the name “Mike Borrero ’09” because this goalie is poised to burst Congleton’s cleats at the seams and take the men’s lacrosse team to the next level.
Having only received garbage time during his first two seasons, Borrero was chomping at the bit for a piece of the spotlight and since receiving the starting goalie position this season he has shined.
In eight games this year, Borrero has recorded 71 saves, with a save percentage of 64%. Most impressive on Borrero’s burgeoning resume is a 5.17 goals against average, which is tops in Division III.
A two-game winning streak against NESCAC foes Connecticut College and Bowdoin last week proved to be the highlight of Borrero’s season thus far. During this span, Borrero stopped 16 shots while allowing only 10, to become the NESCAC Player of the Week and ECAC New England Division III Goalie of the Week.
Borrero’s smooth transition into star keeper has been crucial to the Cardinals’ early success. The zone defense that the team traditionally runs depends on a goalie with some stones who can stop outside shooters. Borrero looks like the answer at the season’s halfway point.
When he’s not stuffing opponents’ star offensive players on the doorstep, Borrero enjoys a good ham sandwich and maintains an impressive collection of chandelier light bulbs.
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