CSUN's Ricketts and Bustamante, UC Irvine's Gutierrez Earn Men's Soccer Weekly Honors

9/4/2023 3:00:00 PM

Offensive Player of the Week
Jamar Ricketts, CSUN | Junior • Forward • Montclair, N.J.

CSUN junior forward Jamar Ricketts compiled one goal and two assists as CSUN upset No. 12 San Diego on the road by a score of 3-1 Friday night.
Ricketts assisted Jorge Solorzano's opening tally in the 38th minute for the early 1-0 lead. Playing the final 26 minutes of the game with a player disadvantage due to a red card, the junior forward picked up another assist, this time on Levin Gehardt's game-winning goal in the 81st minute.
The Montclair, N.J. native put one in the back of the net in the 86th minute for some insurance. It was Ricketts' second goal of the year.
Ricketts has scored two goals and recorded two assists for six points through the first three matches for the Matadors, either leading or tied for the club lead in all three categories.
CSUN is currently unbeaten on the season with a 1-0-2 record.
Also Nominated: Brendan Clark (UC Riverside), Lucas Gonzalez (UC Santa Barbara), Tetsuya Kadono (Cal State Fullerton), Jake Means (UC Irvine), Austin Wehner (Sacramento State);

Defensive Player of the Week
Bryan Bustamante, CSUN | Senior • Defeneder • Reseda, Calif.

CSUN senior defender Bryan Bustamante anchored the Matador defense that helped defeat No. 12 San Diego on the road by a score of 3-1 Friday night.
The Reseda, Calif. product led the backline as CSUN was outshot 24-8 by the nationally-ranked Toreros, including the final 26 minutes with an 11-on-10 disadvantage.
San Diego made nine attempts with the man advantage, but only two were on-goal during that span. Bustamante took one shot, playing 89 of the 90 minutes.
Bustamante has started every match this season, playing 246 out of possible 270 minutes with one goal.
CSUN is currently unbeaten on the season with a 1-0-2 record.
Also Nominated: Samuel Atiye (UC Irvine), Sulaiman Bah (Cal State Fullerton), Brendan Clark (UC Riverside), Mac Learned (Sacramento State);

Freshman of the Week
Mauricio Gutierrez, UC Irvine | Redshirt Freshman • Midfielder • Lawndale, Calif.

Rookie midfielder Mauricio Gutierrez scored a goal in UC Irvine's 3-1 win over Gonzaga to help the Anteaters to a 2-0 week.
It was the first career goal and point for the first-year Anteater, guiding home a shot-pass in the box for UCI's second goal in the 3-1 win, which turned out to be the game-winner.
Gutierrez played 47 minutes at Omaha on Thursday. It was the collegiate debut for the Lawndale, Calif. native
UC Irvine is currently unbeaten on the season with a 3-0-1 record.

2023 Big West Men's Soccer Weekly Winners