UC Santa Barbara forward Indiana Mead and UC Riverside goalkeeper Elizabeth Silas stood up as the Big West Women’s Soccer Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week with strong performances to close out the non-conference portion of the schedule.

Mead Helps Gauchos Extend Win Streak To Four

UC Santa Barbara senior Indiana Mead (Boulder City, Nev./Boulder City HS) was the offensive catalyst in a 4-0 victory over Duquesne as the Gauchos won their fourth straight contest and extended their unbeaten string to five.

Mead notched the game-winning goal at the 22:10 mark when teammate Dakota Griggs threaded a pass between three Duquesne defenders, allowing Mead to hammer a shot in the upper-left portion of the net.  It was Mead’s first game-winning goal of the year.

Tallying an assist for the second straight match, Mead helped the Gauchos take a 2-0 lead just 48 seconds into the second half.  Her cross into the box found Angelisa Cortez, who deposited the shot past the Dukes goalkeeper.

Mead produced a team-leading six shots as part of a 24-shot barrage on Duquesne.

Others nominated: Elise Krieghoff (Cal Poly); Ashley Gonzales (Long Beach State); Celina Valencia (UC Riverside)

Silas Records Third Shutout Of Season

UC Riverside junior Elizabeth Silas (Upland, Calif./Upland HS) notched a complete game shutout and nearly contributed to an upset of the sixth-ranked team in the country.

Silas sparked a Highlander 2-0 victory over Duquesne with six saves, including a penalty kick stop early in the first half to preserve a UCR 1-0 lead.  The complete game shutout was her third of the year.

On the road against No. 6 Texas Tech, Silas made four saves against the Red Raiders but the Highlanders came up just short in a 3-2 loss.  Silas ranks third in the Big West in saves (39).

Others nominated:  Alyssa Giannetti (Cal Poly); Miranda Cornejo (UC Santa Barbara)