LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Those in the world of lacrosse know that Dillon Ward is no ordinary goalkeeper.

In fact, Steve Soriano, the Bellarmine University assistant coach who was a teammate of Ward's on the Knights, insists that a single title of "goalkeeper" doesn't do justice to how Ward conducted himself on the field.

"His calm demeanor and IQ of the position allowed for him to be a second defensive coordinator out there," Soriano said. "As a face-off guy, when we get stuck on defense we tend to get picked on quite a bit by the offense, but he commanded the field and made sure you knew exactly what shot he was wanting to see. His confidence and compete-level was infectious."

Ward, who competed for the Knights from 2010-13 and became the program's first All-American, was voted Bellarmine Player of the Decade for Lacrosse in an online poll.



"To be named the Player of the Decade is a great honor," said Ward, who followed his days with the Knights with a prodigious, ongoing pro career. "Bellarmine has had great players come through the program."  

Perhaps none greater than Ward. Hailing from Orangeville in Ontario, Canada, he owns every significant goalkeeping record in the Bellarmine record book. Ward is the career leader in wins (19), saves (576), save percentage (.567) and goals-against average (9.97). He's the single-season leader in saves (208), save percentage (.662) and goals-against average (7.68), all set his senior year of 2013.

Ward's unrivaled career was capped by that superlative final season when he became the program's first All-American after receiving third-team laurels from the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association. In addition, he was recognized as the Goalie of the Year by the Eastern College Athletic Conference, garnered first-team All-ECAC plaudits and was a Tewaaraton Award nominee. Ward led the nation in saves per game (14.86) and the aforementioned 7.68 goals-against average ranked sixth nationally.

"I had the same expectations then that I do today: I want to be the best version of myself as possible. That drive hasn't gone away," Ward said. "I remember just having fun with (my senior year). That was a great group; we enjoyed being together day in and day out, through the good and bad days. I'll never forget my senior year." 

The most unforgettable game his senior year came on the road against Denver. The Pioneers were ranked No. 3 in the nation, but the Knights pushed them to the brink before falling 11-10 in double overtime. Ward amassed 20 saves, tied for the fifth most in a single game in program history, in an outing that has become legendary.

"His performance that season against Denver was one of the most impressive goalie performances I have ever witnessed," Soriano said. "Dillon always had a very calm demeanor in the crease, and spoke with a purpose. When he was communicating a thought or directing traffic on the field, everyone was listening."

Ward's most cherished team victory came from his freshman season of 2010, when he (14 saves) and the Knights delivered a thrilling 14-13 overtime win over Ohio State in Columbus to conclude the regular season. At the time, the triumph was memorable as a big win for the team, but its significance entered another realm after Coach Jack McGetrick, who helped found the program, passed away that October after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

"To end our season with a win, and more importantly, end Jack's career off with a win is something I'll never forget," Ward said.

Following his remarkable senior season, Ward was selected third overall by the Colorado Mammoth in the National Lacrosse League draft.

"Draft night was a blur," Ward said. "I was so excited to be picked by Colorado and have the opportunity to live in Denver, which is now my home."

Ward has been a cornerstone player for the franchise, starting with his inclusion on the NLL All-Rookie Team in 2014. Three seasons later, he was honored as the NLL Goaltender of the Year. Ward is a three-time NLL All-Pro selection and was named Mammoth MVP in 2017 and 2018.

"Incredible," Ward described of his experience with Colorado. "Playing for the Mammoth has opened so many doors for me on and off the floor. I live in a beautiful city, play for a top-shelf organization, coach incredible players at all ages. That's all because of the opportunity the Mammoth gave me."

Ward, who also plays in the Premier Lacrosse League on the Chaos, won two gold medals (2014, 2019) and a silver (2018) with Team Canada at the FIL World Championship. He was recognized as the FIL MVP in 2014 and was acknowledged as the FIL Outstanding Goalie that year and 2018 along with being a FIL All-World Team selection both years.

"It is great to have Dillon represent himself and the Bellarmine lacrosse program amongst the professional ranks at the level he does," Soriano said. "He has played in some of the biggest lacrosse championships in the outdoor and indoor game. We are very appreciative of his continued support for the program, and as a former teammate, I am always rooting for his squads."

His appeal, too, is that Ward doesn't take himself too seriously. In his Twitter profile, he instructs of his first name to "Spell my name however you want...it's probably wrong anyways."

"I just have fun with it when it happens," Ward said of the given-name spelling mishaps. "If you can think of it, I've seen it."

No ordinary name. No ordinary goalkeeper. 

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