Teammates Tyler Miguel and K.C. John helped UC Riverside clinch its first South Division title to earn Big West men’s soccer weekly honors.
Miguel’s Brace Helps Highlanders Clinch Title
Picking the perfect time to score his first two goals of the season, UC Riverside sophomore Tyler Miguel (Fair Oaks, Calif./Bella Vista HS) captured Big West Men’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Week honors as his squad picked up a huge 2-0 win at No. 18 UC Irvine.
The Highlanders entered Wednesday’s regular season finale trailing the Anteaters by two points in the South Division standings, but leapfrogged UCI for first place and wrestled away the top seed for the Big West Tournament. As a result, the Highlanders are hosting a postseason men’s soccer match for the first time in their Division I history when Cal State Fullerton visits for a semifinal matchup on Wednesday.
Miguel was at the forefront of the UCI victory as he scored twice (on his only 2 shot attempts) within a 10-minute frame of the first period to give the Highlanders all the offense they would need.
Others nominated: Mark Vasquez (Cal State Fullerton); Dashiell MacNamara (UC Davis); Gor Kirakosyan (UC Irvine); Nick DePuy (UC Santa Barbara)
John Posts First Shutout In Season’s Third Start
Making just his third start of the season, UC Riverside goalkeeper K.C. John (Harrisville, Utah/Fremont HS) recorded his first shutout of the year in a 2-0 win at No. 18 UC Irvine, as he garnered Big West Men’s Soccer Defensive Player of the Week accolades.
John made six saves to help the Highlanders overtake UCI for the South Division title on the final day of the regular season. UCR finished 4-3-3 in the Big West, tying the 2011 squad for the best conference mark in program history.
In addition, the six saves helped the Highlanders set program records for lowest goals against average (1.06) and fewest goals allowed (20) during the regular season.
Others nominated: Wade Hamilton (Cal Poly); Jeff Salt (Cal State Fullerton); Javier Muñoz (Sacramento State); Mitchell Alvarez (UC Irvine)