RODNEY MICHAEL, UC SANTA BARBARA
MEN'S SOCCER OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Junior • Forward • Freetown, Sierra Leone • Dunn School
• Earning his third career Big West Men’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Week award, Rodney Michael extended his own personal scoring streak and UC Santa Barbara’s unbeaten run.
• Michael scored and assisted in each of UCSB’s two wins this week – 2-0 against Sacramento State and 5-0 at No. 22 Cal State Fullerton. Both of his assists were on game-winning goals.
• The Sierra Leone native has recorded at least one point in seven consecutive matches (4G, 5A).
• Michael has helped the Gauchos achieve their first 10-game (8-0-2) unbeaten run since 2014.
• He scored an insurance goal in the 88th minute against the Hornets and connected for UCSB’s third goal in the 5-0 outburst. His cross to Will Baynham led to the team’s first goal in the ninth minute against the Titans.
Others nominated: Matt Carnefix (Sacramento State); Kristian Heptner (UC Davis); Jose Ortiz (UC Irvine); Hugo Magana (UC Riverside)
NABI KIBUNGUCHY, UC DAVIS
MEN'S SOCCER DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Junior • Defender • Elk Grove, Calif. • Cosumnes Oaks HS
• The stalwart of the UC Davis backline, junior Nabi Kibunguchy earned his second career Big West Men’s Soccer Defensive Player of the Week award as his squad smothered a pair of opposing offenses.
• The junior helped the Aggies register back-to-back 1-0 victories over Cal Poly on the road and CSUN at home. UC Davis joined UCSB atop the Big West standings with six points apiece. The Aggies have won five in a row.
• Kibunguchy was a core reason why the Mustangs and Matadors managed a combined one shot on goal.
• He had the assignment to match up against CSUN’s Johnny Rodriguez and Daniel Trejo, the league’s top two scorers, and limited each to one shot.
Others nominated: David Preys (CSUN); Luis Urias (Sacramento State); Victor Falck (UC Irvine); Edwyn Gutierrez (UC Riverside); Noah Billingsley (UC Santa Barbara)
FINN BALLARD McBRIDE, UC SANTA BARBARA
MEN'S SOCCER FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
Midfielder • Sydney, Australia • Newington College
• Winner for the third straight time – and for the fourth time in five weeks, UC Santa Barbara midfielder Finn Ballard McBride is the Big West Men’s Soccer Freshman of the Week as his goal scoring streak continued.
• Ballard McBride scored a goal in both Gaucho wins over Sacramento State and No. 22 Cal State Fullerton. He has hit paydirt in three straight contests and five of the last six.
• The Australia native blasted a shot from inside the 18-yard box to the upper left corner in the 53rd minute for the game-winning goal against Sacramento State.
Others nominated: David Preys (CSUN)