Scoring prowess from sophomore Enrique Cardenas helped UC Irvine engineer its best start in school history and stellar goaltending from Cal Poly senior Patrick McLain earned the two Big West Men's Soccer Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week.

Cardenas Strikes For Three Goals In Two UC Irvine Wins

Enrique Cardenas (Coachella, Calif./Coachella Valley HS) was an offensive juggernaut for UC Irvine in a pair of road victories, resulting in Big West Men’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Week honors.

Cardenas scored twice for the Anteaters in a 3-2 double-overtime victory against Wisconsin.  He fired 10 shots in the match, seven on frame, and netted both of his goals within the first six minutes of the second half.  In a 4-2 victory versus Illinois-Chicago, the sophomore amassed a goal and an assist, with the 58th minute strike accounting for the game-winner.  Cardenas is tied for the Big West lead with five goals this season.

Others nominated: Nick Posthuma (Cal State Fullerton); Gustavo Villalobos (Cal State Northridge); Eddie Manella (UC Davis); Cesar Diaz Pizarro (UC Riverside); Luis Silva (UC Santa Barbara)

McLain Posts Shutouts Against Villanova and No. 12 West Virginia

Cal Poly’s Patrick McLain (Eau Claire, Wisc./Memorial HS) did not allow a goal in 200 minutes of activity against Villanova and No. 12 West Virginia, earning the netminder Big West Men’s Soccer Defensive Player of the Week kudos.

McLain posted his 13th and 14th career shutouts as the Mustangs defeated the Wildcats 1-0 and battled the Mountaineers to a scoreless draw.  He had a combined five saves in the two matches.

Others nominated:Trevor Whiddon (Cal State Fullerton); Chris Smith (Cal State Northridge); Omar Zeenni (UC Davis); Everett Pitts (UC Irvine); André Grandt (UC Santa Barbara)