UC Santa Barbara senior Luis Silva provided the heroics on national television and UC Irvine senior Andrew Fontein gave one of the best goaltending efforts of his career, earning the two Big West Men's Soccer Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week honors.

Silva's Overtime Goal Downs Defending National Champ Akron

Luis Silva (Los Angeles, Calif./Bishop Mora Salesian) provided the heroics to lead UC Santa Barbara to victory against defending national champion Akron, earning him Big West Men’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Week accolades.

Silva scored two goals against the No. 3-ranked Zips, including the game-winner just 33 seconds into overtime to give the Gauchos a 3-2 victory.  He also scored UCSB’s first goal to tie the game at 1-1.

In a 2-1 overtime victory at UC Davis, Silva set up the Gauchos’ first goal on an assist to James Kiffe.  The senior also has been named to the Top Soccer Drawer and College Soccer News Teams of the Week.

Others nominated: Chris Gaschen (Cal Poly); Rafael Garcia (Cal State Northridge); Matt Wiesenfarth (UC Davis); Miguel Ibarra (UC Irvine)

Career-High Effort In Saves Nets Fontein Award

Andrew Fontein (Las Vegas, Nev./Sierra Vista HS) played solidly in net to lead UC Irvine to two conference wins and first place in the standings, garnering the senior the Big West Men’s Soccer Defensive Player of the Week award.

Fontein made a career-high 11 saves and posted his UCI record 25th career shutout in a 2-0 triumph against previously Big West unbeaten Cal State Northridge.  He also got the winning decision in a 2-1 victory against Cal State Fullerton, the only Titan score coming on an own goal.  Fontein had a 0.50 goals against average for the week.

Others nominated: Patrick McLain (Cal Poly); Michael Abalos (Cal State Northridge);  James Kiffe (UC Santa Barbara)