UC Irvine senior Christian Hernandez claimed his second consecutive Big West Men's Soccer Offensive Player of the Week honor while UC Santa Barbara sophomore Peter Schmetz earned Defensive Player of the Week accolades.

Hernandez Nets Third Game-Winning Goal of Young Season

UC Irvine senior Christian Hernandez (Palmdale, Calif./Palmdale HS) posted his third game-winning goal of the season and his first career multi-goal effort to nab Big West Men’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Week kudos.

Hernandez scored both Anteater goals in Sunday’s 2-1 win over Drake.  He beat the Bulldog goalkeeper to the far post off of a nifty move in the 39th minute, then deposited a cross into the net in the 65th minute.

Although he did not dent the scoring column, Hernandez was a major nuisance to Gonzaga in Friday’s 2-1 overtime victory.  He fired off 11 shots, four of which were on frame.

Others nominated: Kevin Venegas (Cal State Fullerton); Yarden Azulay (Cal State Northridge); Alex Henry (UC Davis); Dom Sarle (UC Santa Barbara)

Schmetz Selected MVP of Duke/Nike Classic

UC Santa Barbara’s Peter Schmetz (Düsseldorf, Germany/Westmont College) captured Big West Men's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week honors after being selected the Most Valuable Player of the Duke/Nike Classic.

Schmetz helped the Gauchos to the tournament championship with wins against No. 22 Duke (3-2 in OT) and NC State (1-0).  He keyed the defensive effort versus the Wolfpack, which was limited to just one shot on goal.  It was UCSB’s first shutout.

Others nominated: Bobby Reiss (Cal State Fullerton); Michael Abalos (Cal State Northridge); Omar Zeenni (UC Davis); Victor Calderon (UC Irvine)