For the second consecutive week, UC Irvine swept the Big West Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week awards as Spencer Thompson and Andrew Fontein were honored, respectively.

Thompson Posts Hat Trick Over Air Force

Spencer Thompson's foray into the Big West history books helped UC Irvine to a big win over Air Force, netting him Big West Offensive Player of the Weeks honors.

After being held scoreless in his first four games of 2010, Thompson broke out with a hat trick against the Falcons, the 24th time the feat has been accomplished by a Big West player.

He started his goal scoring splurge with an unassisted tally in the 10th minute, then scored off a pass from classmate Amani Walker in the 17th. Thompson completed the trifecta in the 58th minute with a brilliant unassisted effort.

Thompson is now tied for seventh all-time in program history in goals (22) and is seventh in points (56).

Others nominated: Chris Bernardi, Cal Poly; Lance Patterson, UC Davis, Sam Garza, UC Santa Barbara

Fontein Slams Door on Opposition

Andrew Fontein continued his outstanding start to the 2010 season last week, recording a trio of shutouts for UC Irvine on his way to Big West Defensive Player of the Week honors.

The junior started the week with a pair of saves in a 1-0 whitewash of Wisconsin, leading UCI to the UC Irvine College Classic title.

He then took his defensive abilities to the Courtyard Marriott San Diego Central Tournament, blanking a pair of high octane offenses.

Fontein's first game saw him record a season-best eight saves against Oakland, then he added four more stops against Air Force two days later.

For his efforts, Fontein was named to the All-Tournament team at both events and was the Defensive MVP of the San Diego Tournament. He is now tied  atop the Anteater list for career shutouts (14) and wins (25).