UC Santa Barbara midfielder Ciaran O'Brien (Federal Way, Wash./University of San Diego) continued his outstanding season with a big week for the Gauchos on his way to his second consecutive Big West Player of the Week honor.
The sophomore transfer started off his tremendous week with a goal and an assist in UCSB's 3-1 win over UC Irvine. O'Brien knocked in the game-winner in the 49th minute, then fed Brennan Tennelle in the 53rd minute for the insurance goal.
O'Brien then came up with a score and a helper in the Gauchos' 3-1 win over second place Cal Poly. He found Andy Iro for the game-winner in the 64th minute, then got on the board with a skillful bending shot just less than a minute later.
O'Brien now leads the Big West in points with 22 (7g, 8 a) and has scored a goal in the last four matches, all UCSB victories.
Others Nominated: Gabriel Farfan, Cal State Fullerton; Nicholas Lind, UC Davis