UC Santa Barbara senior Luis Silva and UC Irvine senior Andrew Fontein put forth performances to help their teams secure hosting roles in this week's conference tournament, earning them Big West Men's Soccer Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week recognition in the process.
Silva Runs Goal Scoring Streak To Five Straight
Luis Silva (Los Angeles, Calif/Bishop Mora Salesian HS) contributed a goal in both UC Santa Barbara victories that clinched the No. 2 seed in the conference tournament, earning the senior his fourth Big West Defensive Player of the Week honor this season.
Silva slammed home a free kick from 45 yards out to give the Gauchos a 2-1 lead in an eventual 3-2 double overtime victory against Cal State Northridge on Tuesday. His shot with 19 seconds remaining in the second extra period led to the game-winning own goal.
The midfielder scored his league-leading 15th goal of the season in Friday’s 2-0 win against rival Cal Poly. It marked the fifth straight game that Silva struck for at least one goal. In addition, he has compiled at least one point in all but two Big West contests. Silva’s efforts helped UCSB tie its season high with a four-game winning streak.
Others nominated: Alberto Rosas (Cal State Northridge); Miguel Ibarra (UC Irvine)
Fontein Records Shutout In Title-Clinching Win For UC Irvine
UC Irvine’s
Andrew Fontein (Las Vegas, Nev./Sierra Vista HS) posted his eighth shutout of the season and 28th of his career in capturing the final Big West Men’s Soccer Defensive Player of the Week honor for the 2011 season.
The senior goalkeeper won the award for the third time this year as his five saves preserved a 1-0 shutout against Cal Poly on the road. The win ultimately sealed up the Big West regular season championship for the Anteaters.
Fontein made two critical saves late in the match to wrap up the shutout. In the process, he tied a single-season personal and school high with his 14th victory.
Others nominated: Joe Franco (Cal State Northridge); Tim Pontius (UC Santa Barbara)