Size no concern for UMBC's steady force in the goal

Lacrosse Insider

But two areas in which he has improved most are getting quick outlet passes to start the Retrievers' transition game and coming out of the crease to challenge the opposition on shots and ground balls.

Before this season, Blevins had a career save percentage of .537. He is the nation's active leader in goalkeeper victories with 34 (to 15 losses) and has a .565 save percentage in four NCAA tournament games. Zimmerman says it's no coincidence that UMBC's stature has risen with Blevins in goal.

"I know it's a cliche, but [it's] the size of a player's heart," Zimmerman said. "I still believe that lacrosse is a sport where you don't have to be a monster to be effective. His stats won't jump out at you, but he is a competitor. ... He's my kind of player."

And UMBC is Blevins' kind of team. Despite the high ranking, the Retrievers still have to prove themselves again this season. Blevins likes the underdog role. He has been put in that position many times as a player.

"People don't give us respect. We're still just UMBC. We like that, but I think we can go further than any other UMBC [team] before us. We know what it takes to win. We think we have the right things in place."

Certainly, the right goalie.

Listen to Mike Preston on Mondays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Fox Sports 1370.