GNAC Student-Athlete Spotlight - Ryan Dzierzawski

It doesn't take a great deal of research to find athletic-career after athletic-career derailed by injury.

After starting 11 games as a freshman at Johnson and Wales, a torn meniscus before his sophomore year left junior goalie Ryan Dzierzawski at risk of becoming another one of these unfortunate statistics.

While this could have discouraged Dzierzawski, who was relegated to backup duties for the season, he used the injury to motivate him moving forward.

"It was a tough experience," Dzierzawski said. "I had to learn to work my way back into the lineup. I worked really hard over the summer and I got my position back."

The experience taught him a lot about himself and about playing goalie which has helped in his return to the starting lineup.

"It helped me learn different situations," Dzierzawski said. "Be smarter in net, when to make certain decisions to keep me healthy and when to help my team out."

The unique quality of net minding is what attracted to Dzierzawski to the position. He was also drawn to the pressure of having to beat another player one-on-one to save a goal.

"It's a very nervous position," Dzierzawski said. "No mistakes, keep the ball out of the net. Read it right. If he makes a bad touch capitalize on it. When the game gets farther along the pressure doesn't build up as much if your team is very confident in you."

The Wildcats have had every reason to believe in their man in net this season as Dzierzawski is leading the GNAC in save percentage while guiding the Wildcats to 14 wins including eight shutouts, two of which have come in the conference tournament. He was also named the GNAC Goalkeeper of the Week twice.

His outstanding performance has helped Johnson and Wales reach the playoffs this fall, a first for the Oakland, Michigan native in his college career.

"It felt a little different," Dzierzawski said. "It just felt like there was a little more pressure than the regular season. Only giving up one loss during the season and to have one loss at home and all of our season's over, we didn't feel like we should lose."

It's no surprise that the Wildcats have been able to take home two more victories as the host team as they did not lose a single game on their home turf during the regular season.

"Playing at home gives us a boost playing in front of our fans," Dzierzawski said. "If something doesn't go our way we can always count on our fans to pick us up and continue on."

Dzierzawski shares his success with the players in front of him that help limit the scoring opportunities that the opposition has.

"My defense is great," Dzierzawski said. "They make very little mistakes and they are very confident. Great decisions and shot blockers, very organized."

A key to that organization for Dzierzawski is maintaining open communication with each other. Dzierzawski guides his defenders by letting them know where the other team is around them so nobody can sneak behind the defense for an open shot or header.

Dzierzawski will have his work cut out for him when the Wildcats square off against the top offensive team in the GNAC in the conference title game this weekend against Lasell. He is aware of the challenge but also knows it's a big moment for the program.

"The school hasn't had great opportunity to go to the final the last couple years," Dzierzawski said. "Our new coach has changed the program. It would be amazing to put this program back on the map."

And while Dzierzawski is not looking past Sunday's all important championship game, he knows that this season might just be the start of something even greater for Johnson and Wales.

"We're going to practically have the same team next year," Dzierzawski said. "Just making another big run and making a name for ourselves in the GNAC conference and having fun with my last year as a goalie."

*Written by GNAC Communications Specialist, Eddie Lockhart