Cal State Fullerton junior Janali West and Cal State Northridge junior Chloe McDaniel excelled in important matches to capture Big West Women's Soccer Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week honors.
West's Hat Trick Clinches Big West Title For Titans
Junior Janali West (San Diego, Calif./Clairemont HS recorded a hat trick in a 24-minute span to help Cal State Fullerton wrap up its first regular season conference title since 2007, as she was selected the Big West Women's Soccer Offensive Player of the Week.
The three goals she scored – in the 53rd, 59th and 77th minutes – were her first three of the season. Her second goal resulted in the game-winner after the Titans polished off Pacific, 4-1. The win improved CSF to 7-2-0 with 21 points in the Big West standings, finishing just ahead of co-second place foes Cal State Northridge and Cal Poly, which each accumulated 20 points.
West put all five of her shots on frame against the Tigers after being held without a shot in Friday's 2-1 win versus UC Davis. She collected the program's first hat trick since Ann Marie Tangorra in 2011.
West hat trick also made her the sixth different Titan to record multiple goals this season.
Others nominated: Taylor Hobson (Cal State Northridge); Nadia Link (Long Beach State); Ashley Edwards (UC Davis)
McDaniel Anchors Matador Defensive Attack In Pair Of Shutouts
Junior Chloe McDaniel (Palmdale, Calif./Quartz Hill HS) helped Cal State Northridge to four crucial road points and a berth in the conference tournament while also capturing Big West Women's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week plaudits.
The Matadors forged a 0-0 draw at UC Irvine and upended Long Beach State in a 1-0 double overtime thriller to secure a tie for second place in the final Big West regular season standings and the No. 2 seed in the conference tournament.
McDaniel played a large role in the defensive shutdowns of both opponents. A center back, McDaniel was on the field for every minute of both games. She took all throw ins for CSUN and had a goal called back due to an offsides call against the 49ers.
The win over LBSU was CSUN's first since the 2004 season. The Matadors and Anteaters finished with a scoreless draw for the third time in the last six meetings.
Others nominated: JeAnne Mazeau (Cal State Fullerton); Kanani Taaca (Hawaii)