So far this season, the New England Blackwolves have been the surprise of the National Lacrosse League. The team leads the East Division alongside the Rock of Toronto at 2-0. The main reason for this has been the strong play of Goalie, Evan Kirk. Through 120 minutes of play Kirk has allowed 15 goals (7.50 goals against average) while saving 84 shots leading to a save percentage of .848, both of these statistics are league leading through the first three weeks of the season.
“It’s a nice win,” Kirk said after the win over Rochester last week. “It’s one game. Any given night, any team can win. They’re a team that starts off slow then puts the pieces together when it comes down to the wire. They’re known for doing that. You can never take that as we’re a better team. We just had a better night.”
Kirk has also assisted twice on scoring plays for the offense. In the sport of lacrosse, you cannot get anywhere without the solid defense of a goalie and Kirk is exactly that, solid as they come. In his career, Kirk has played well enough to save 77 percent of shots that he faced and that was on teams with less talent than his current Blackwolves teammates possess.
Kirk uses his 5’11 stature and thick frame to ably mind the net, blocking plenty of shots and allowing his teammates to then rally to the offense, setting up opportunities on the other end of the field. If he continues his solid play, then the sky is the limit for the Blackwolves as long as they keep trusting in Evan Kirk to lead the way.
