UCSB’s Michael Boxall and Sam Garza have been honored for their parts in last week’s shutout victories over UC Davis and Cal State Northridge. Boxall was picked as the Big West Defensive Player of the Week while Garza was named to both the College Soccer News and Top Drawer Soccer National Teams of the Week.
Boxall was the centerpiece of a tough UCSB defense last week. He began the week by helping lead the Gauchos to a shutout win over UC Davis, limiting the Aggies to just two shots on frame and six overall. He then helped the Gauchos shut down Cal State Northridge as the Matadors mustered only seven shots with four coming on goal in another shutout victory.
Boxall played all 180 minutes over the two matches and has helped UCSB record shutouts in four of its last six contests.
Garza led the Gauchos’ offensive effort on Saturday in their 4-0 victory over visiting Cal State Northridge. The sophomore scored a hat trick in the game with his first two goals coming in the first 13 minutes.
His trio of goals against the Matadors marked the first Gaucho hat trick since the 2007 season when Chris Pontius posted one in a 4-0 win over UC Irvine on Oct. 3. Garza leads the Gauchos with his nine goals and 21 total points.
UCSB has posted a 10-3-2 overall record and has gone 6-1-1 in Big West play. The Gauchos are currently riding a seven-game winning streak and have won six straight conference contests.
UCSB will continue Big West action on the road this Wednesday as the Gauchos travel to Cal Poly to play the Mustangs in a Fox Soccer Channel game at 8 pm.
