We continue looking at the Top Returning Goalies by turning our attention to the South Metro — specifically the South Suburban Conference — where the point-getters are prominent, so the fellas in the net need to be on their game, too.
Look no further. Here are the Top Returning South Metro Goalies:
Rosemount goalie Will Tollefson. Photo by John Gilbert, Duluth ReaderWill Tollefson, senior, Rosemount
Only two regular netminders in the South Suburban Conference finished last season with a better save percentage than Tollefson, and they’ve both moved on after graduation in the spring. Tollefson, who finished 2018-19 with a .914 save percentage, shut out three opponents and finished the season with a 17-3 record. After a strong showing as a junior, there’s little doubt that Tollefson will return hungry as a senior to build on the Irish’s previous success.
Derek Manzella, senior, Eagan
Manzella got the best of the aforementioned Tollefson’s Irish in the Class 2A, Section 3 semifinal last year, stopping 39 of 41 shots in Eagan’s 4-2 victory over Rosemount. As a junior, Manzella finished with a .915 save percentage and a 20-7 record that included six shutouts. If Manzella picks up where he left off last year, and he might — he’s notched six wins and a .907 save percentage in the Upper Midwest Elite League this offseason — the Wildcats will rest easy knowing there’s a solid wall defending opponents’ shots.
Bennett Weestrand, senior, Eastview
Don’t let Weestrand’s 13-11-1 record from last season fool you. As a junior, Weestrand, who posted a .910 save percentage and a 2.50 regular-season goals-against average, took over goalie duties after Ben Beattie led Eastview to a 21-4-0 record (15-3-0, first place in the South Suburban Conference) in 2017-18. Now, with more experience under his belt, Weestrand has an opportunity to prove he’s worth keeping a tab on.
Caleb Mayer, senior, Lakeville North
Lakeville North relied on two goalies last year, Mayer and Will Johnson, who combined for a .904 save percentage. Although he finished 7-7, Mayer stopped every shot he faced against rival Lakeville South in the Class 2A, Section 1 championship game. In addition to his lone shutout last season against Shakopee, Mayer’s biggest win came in an early December 4-2 win over Eastview, where he stopped 30 of 32 shots.