CSUN forward Sagi Lev-Ari and UC Irvine junior Mats Bjurman claimed the Big West Men’s Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week awards after both were named Most Valuable Players of their respective tournaments.
Lev-Ari Continues Goal Scoring Streak
Sagi Lev-Ari (Haifi, Israel/Monroe College), who has scored a goal in each of the first four matches this season, collected Big West Men’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Week honors as he scored both game-winners at the Holiday Inn Hurricane Classic.
CSUN knocked off No. 18 UAB in the tournament opener, 2-0, using a 13th minute strike from Lev-Ari to take an early lead. In Sunday’s 2-1 victory over host Tulsa, Lev-Ari delivered the clinching score just one minute and 21 seconds into overtime as he hammered home a shot from close range.
The senior forward, who scored two goals on two shots for the weekend, secured Co-MVP honors for the tournament. It was his fourth career Big West Player of the Week award, tying him for fourth all-time in league history. Lev-Ari also bumped his career goal total to 35, tying him with former Matador great Willie Sims (2003-05) for fourth all-time in conference history.
Others nominated: Kaba Alkebulan (Cal Poly); Chimdum Mez (Sacramento State); Matt Sheldon (UC Davis); Eduardo Calzada (UC Irvine)
Bjurman Helps UC Irvine Edge Pair of Ranked Foes
UC Irvine’s Mats Bjurman (Irvine, Calif./Irvine HS) garnered Big West Men’s Soccer Defensive Player of the Week recognition as he played a solid all-around role in a pair of 2-1 victories over No. 19 Denver and No. 25 Clemson.
The junior midfielder helped the No. 17 Anteaters limit the two ranked opponents to just six total shots on target for the weekend. As a result, he was named the Defensive MVP of the Courtyard Marriott SD Central Soccer Tournament.
Bjurman also stepped up on the offensive end. Just 10 seconds after Denver had tied the score 1-1, Bjurman responded from 15 yards out to tally the first game-winning goal of his career. He also took a shot on frame against the Tigers. The Anteaters are now unbeaten against the last eight ranked foes they’ve met during the regular season.
Others nominated: Wade Hamilton (Cal Poly); Gabe Robinson (CSUN); Ramon Martin Del Campo (UC Davis)