Both Johns Hopkins junior Pierce Bassett and Maryland redshirt sophomore Niko Amato rank in the top 10 in Division I in goals-against average and save percentage.
Bassett is fourth in goals-against average (6.70) and 10th in save percentage (.578). Amato ranks seventh in goals-against average (7.16) and eighth in save percentage (.586).
Only four other goalkeepers rank in the top 10 in both categories. They are Notre Dame junior John Kemp (first in goal-against average and first in save percentage), Lehigh freshman Matthew Poillon (second, third), Massachusetts senior Tim McCormack (third, second) and Princeton senior Tyler Fiorito (fifth, seventh).
Despite their inclusion in that elite club, Bassett and Amato didn’t share similar views on their national status.
“I try not to look at anything like that,” Bassett said. “We just take it week to week. My position is predicated on the defense and how well we play. We take success as a whole and anything that comes to me is traced to their effort and how they play.”
Said Amato: “I always feel like I’m the best when I go out there. I think one of the Williams sisters said, ‘If you don’t think you’re the best, you’re already defeated before you go out there.’ It’s a quote I try to live by. I always feel like I’m the best player whenever I walk out on any field. I think as a competitor, you have to have that mindset and attitude.”
