Junior Ryan Rossi (San Pedro, CA/ Mary Star of the Sea HS) provided a huge lift for Cal State Northridge in their quest for first place last week. His game-winning performance in the match against UC Irvine earned the forward Big West Men’s Soccer Player of the Week honors.

Going into Wednesday’s match with UCI, the Matadors were tied with the Anteaters for second place in the conference. Rossi broke a scoreless tie in the 81st minute off of a pass by teammate Ferguson Agwu for his third goal of the season. Four minutes later, after a CSUN defender was taken down in the box, Rossi netted a penalty kick to give his team a 2-1 advantage and helped the Matadors to remain unbeaten in their last seven matches.

Rossi is third on the team with four goals and nine points.