Outstanding performances from UC Santa Barbara freshman Drew Murphy and UC Riverside sophomore Ashkan Khosravi netted them the Big West Men's Soccer Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week awards.
Murphy's Assist Helps Gauchos Stay Unbeaten In League Play
UC Santa Barbara's Drew Murphy (Palos Verdes, Calif./Palos Verdes HS) scored his first career goal and added the game-winning assist for a key conference win at UC Davis, earning the freshman Big West Men's Soccer Offensive Player of the Week kudos.
Murphy's second multi-point game of the season resulted in a 3-2 double-overtime win in front of a sold-out Aggie Soccer Field and propelled the Gauchos to a North Division-leading 5-0 mark.
He opened the scoring at the 12:55 mark as a deflected cross from teammate Reed McKenna found Murphy's foot, and he volleyed a shot from 20 yards out for his first collegiate goal. In the second overtime period and less than a minute to play, Murphy lined up a corner kick and connected with Goffin Boyoko for the game-winning header at the back post. It was Murphy's team-leading seventh assist.
Murphy has accumulated seven points (1 goal, 5 assists) in the last five matches to help No. 20 UCSB to a season-best six-game win streak.
Others nominated: Mackenzie Pridham (Cal Poly)
Khosravi Pins Down Offensive Juggernaut
UC Riverside goalkeeper Ashkan Khosravi (Dallas, Tex./Plano West HS) earned Big West Men's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week recognition as the sophomore held No. 6 Cal State Northridge scoreless for 110 minutes.
Khosravi helped author the double overtime draw with a career-high eight saves. The normally potent Matador offense failed to register a goal for the first time in 17 matches. CSUN entered the match atop several NCAA statistical categories, including points per game, total assists, total points and assists per game.
It was Khosravi's second shutout in four matches after missing the initial 10 games with an injury.
Others nominated: Wade Hamilton (Cal Poly); Adam Hobbs (Cal State Northridge)