Lopez, Gonzalez Garner Big West Weekly Awards

Lopez, Gonzalez Garner Big West Weekly Awards

10/31/2022 3:51:00 PM | Men's Soccer

RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Noah Lopez and Carlos Gonzalez were named Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week, respectively, on Monday by the Big West following the Highlanders' clinching of the number one seed in the Big West Championships and regular season title.

Lopez notched a goal and an assist in Saturday's 4-1 win over UC Santa Barbara. The sophomore opened the scoring in the 12th minute before assisting on Oscar Penate's insurance goal in the 73rd.

Gonzalez was a brick wall for the Highlanders with a season-high nine saves on Saturday, including four in the final 10 minutes of regulation as the Gauchos revved up the pressure late.

This is Lopez' first career Big West weekly award and second for Gonzalez after a stellar opening weekend following last year's 2-0-0 start in New York.

The Highlanders will open the Big West Championships this Saturday at 7:00 p.m. at the UC Riverside Soccer Stadium against Wednesday's winner between CSUN and UC Davis.