Brett Ylonen – October Male Student-Athlete of the Month – Freshman, Soccer
The Gustavus men’s soccer team posted an undefeated 5-0-3 overall record and 3-0-3 mark in the MIAC in the month of October, securing a spot in the MIAC Playoffs. Much of the credit to the team’s good fortune can be credited to the play of first-year goalkeeper Brett Ylonen. Accounting for much of the Gusties’ success in the second month of the season, Ylonen has been named male Student-Athlete of the Month for October by the Office of Sports Information.
The Lake Elmo, Minn. native allowed a meager four goals in eight October match-ups. He recorded a 0.50 goals against average and collected 28 saves for a .875 save percentage. Ylonen didn’t allow a goal in the first three games of the month and never permitted a multi-goal game.
“Brett has been vitally important to our success,” Head coach Mike Middleton said. “We’ve conceded fewer goals than any other conference team by quite a margin. He has been fundamental to that. He’s very quick; he’s very agile and has great game-smarts. He’s a very bright lad, extremely talented. For a freshman to come in have the success he’s had just speaks volumes for him.”
Ylonen ranks 12th among NCAA Division III goalies and second in the MIAC with a .515 goals against average, which is also second best among first-year net-minders across the nation. His .860 save percentage ranks 28th in the country – fifth among freshman – and second in the conference. But the success Ylonen has achieved is simply an attribute to the defensive dominance displayed by the Gusties. The Gustie defense leads the league in goals allowed (eight in 18 games) and goals against average (0.45).
“Brett has wonderful statistics, but that’s also a great credit to the defense and to the team unit in general, and Brett would be the first one to say that,” Middleton acknowledged. “It’s a great honor for him, but it’s also a great honor for our defense and our team.”
The Gusties claimed the No. 3 spot in the MIAC Playoffs and will travel to Northfield, Minn. to take on MIAC Co-Champion Carleton on Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. No. 1 St. Olaf will host No. 4 Augsburg across town at the same time with the winners of each game meeting on Saturday for the championship game.
2011 MIAC Men’s Soccer Playoffs Website