UC Santa Barbara freshman forward Kailyn Kugler (San Clemente, Calif./San Clemente HS) provided some sorely needed offense at just the opportune time, the start of conference play, earning Big West Women's Soccer Player of the Week honors on the strength of three goals in a pair of wins.

Her scoring prowess led the Gauchos to home wins over Cal State Fullerton (2-0) and UC Riverside (4-0), staking UCSB to a 2-0 Big West start for the first time since 2004.
   
Kugler, who can play defender, midfielder or forward, has played mostly forward for a UCSB team beset by injuries.  Her three tallies increased her season total to a team-leading five goals and 11 points.
   
In Friday's win versus the Titans, Kugler's goal in the 23rd minute on a shot off of a rebound ended up being the game-winner, as the Gauchos added an insurance goal later in the game.  Kugler stepped up even further in Sunday's offensive onslaught against the Highlanders.  She scored a pair of goals on her only two shots of the game, and also became the first UCSB player to record a multi-goal game this season.
   
Kugler's emergence comes in the midst of a tough season offensively for UCSB, which has been held scoreless in five matches and to one goal or less in seven of its 12 contests.

Others nominated: Cat Gray, Long Beach State; Samantha Faber, UC Davis; Sammi Teramae, Pacific