Cal State Fullerton sophomore Ian Ramos and Cal Poly freshman Wade Hamilton parlayed outstanding performances into Big West Men's Soccer Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week honors.
Second Half Hat Trick From Ramos Sparks Titanic Comeback
Cal State Fullerton sophomore Ian Ramos (Highland, Utah/Lehi HS) was the catalyst to one of the greatest comebacks in school history as he collected Big West Men's Soccer Offensive Player of the Week honors.
The forward notched a second-half hat trick as the Titans overcame a 4-1 deficit against No. 14 Cal State Northridge and roared back to a 5-4 victory.
Ramos scored his first two goals just seven minutes apart and culminated the scoring with a 71st minute penalty kick that turned out to be the game-winner. The scores were his third, fourth and fifth of the year.
Three nights later, Ramos added a goal and an assist in Cal State Fullerton's 3-2 win in double overtime at UC Riverside. He netted another penalty kick goal with just under five minutes remaining in regulation for a 2-1 lead, but the Highlanders knotted the match with just 13 seconds remaining.
The native of Highland, Utah, also assisted on Jameson Campbell's first goal of the match in the 69th minute to complete a nine-point weekend. Ramos put six of his seven shots on frame for the week. His performance vaulted him into a tie for the team lead in points (16).
Others nominated: Mackenzie Pridham (Cal Poly); Sagi Lev-Ari (Cal State Northridge); Eric Budniewski (UC Davis); Jimmy Martinez (UC Riverside)
Hamilton Records Career-High In Saves In Win Over Rival
Cal Poly freshman Wade Hamilton (Murrieta Valley, Calif./Murrieta Valley HS) helped his team to two huge victories in claiming Big West Men's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week recognition.
The netminder recorded a 0.48 goals against average, .938 save percentage, 15 saves and a shutout as the Mustangs blanked UC Davis (1-0) and outlasted No. 16 UC Santa Barbara (2-1 in OT) for six key points in the Big West North Division.
Hamilton made all four saves in the win against UC Davis while facing 15 shots on the evening. He earned his second career shutout during the home victory versus the Aggies.
He withstood a 24-shot flurry from the Gauchos during Friday's NSCAA Game of the Week on Fox Soccer Channel. Hamilton collected a career-high 11 saves in the match as Cal Poly won at UCSB for the first time in 14 years and 15 attempts.
Hamilton has allowed just one goal in the run of play during the last 309 minutes. The back-to-back victories increased Cal Poly's unbeaten string to four matches.
Others nominated: Brian Ford (UC Davis)