A pair of juniors in Tyler Cunningham of UC Riverside and UC Santa Barbara’s Beth Ritter were named the Big West Women’s Soccer Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week, respectively, as they helped their squads start the season at 2-0.

Cunningham Named Rebel Classic Most Outstanding Player

UC Riverside junior Tyler Cunningham (Fairfield, Calif./Rodriguez HS) claimed Big West Women’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Week accolades as her performance at the UNLV Rebel Classic earned her a plethora of recognition.

Cunningham was selected the Tournament Most Outstanding Player, the Tournament Outstanding Offensive Player and to the All-Tournament Team after helping the Highlanders defeat Grand Canyon (3-0) and Northern Arizona (4-2).

The forward contributed to three of UCR’s seven scores on the weekend with a goal and two assists.  The program is off to a 2-0 start for the sixth time in its 14-year history.  The four goals scored against Northern Arizona marked the first time since September 7, 2008 that UCR had netted at least that many goals in a match.

Others nominated: Allie Begin (Cal Poly); Ivy Diego (Cal State Fullerton); Celina Minissian (UC Davis); Bianca Frontino (UC Irvine); Amanda Ball (UC Santa Barbara)

Ritter Earns Pair Of Shutouts

UC Santa Barbara junior Beth Ritter (Danville, Calif./San Ramon HS) did not allow a goal in 180 minutes of action, collecting Big West Women’s Soccer Defensive Player of the Week honors in the process.

Ritter notched shutout victories at home against Cleveland State (3-0) and Southern Utah (2-0), which represented her ninth and 10th shutouts in 17 career starts dating back to last season.

The net minder made a pair of saves against Cleveland State and added one more versus Southern Utah.

Others nominated: Alyssa Giannetti (Cal Poly); Ashton McKeown (Long Beach State); Haley O’Brien (UC Irvine)