As good as O’Neil was on the offensive end, Alger impacted the game’s outcome just as much, making 15 saves while allowing just eight goals. The UMass commit’s eight-save second quarter showing was particularly outrageous, as he made multiple saves on the same possession and was routinely committing robberies on the doorstep to frustrate Spalding’s shooters. With the score tied at 5-5, he made a massive stop as time expired to give Tabor the momentum heading into the half. Always in position to make stops, he did a great job hugging the pipes, preventing five-hole looks, and not biting too much on fakes. However, even when he did, Alger made himself big to come up with ridiculous saves inside. Up 11-8 heading into the fourth quarter, he made four saves with zero goals allowed in the final stanza to close out one of the better goalie performances I’ve seen this spring.

Dipping into the ISL for a goalie tends to be a great idea – even better when they’re 6’2, 200-plus pounds, and left-handed like Alger. While his size is the first thing that stands out, his ability to lead a defense and come up big in key moments was just as noteworthy on Sunday. His voice was loud but I never felt like he was talking just to talk, like plenty of goalies do. Poised in and out of the cage, Alger did a great job of corralling low offerings, cleanly caught the ball, and confidently led clears with wise and precise passes. Set to be a three-year starter for Tabor, Alger and poles like Thomas Mitchell, Alec Albers and Mark Mattaliano, among others, make up one of the better ’27 defensive units I’ve seen so far.