After backstopping the Gauchos to a pair of shutout victories this past weekend, freshman goalkeeper Josh McNeely has been named the Big West Defensive Player of the Week, it was announced by the conference today.
McNeely is the first UCSB player to receive the honor since Austin Mansker in September 2012.
The Calabasas, Calif. native had two standout performances in net for the Gauchos, finishing with a clean sheets against Cal State Fullerton on Friday and UC Riverside on Sunday. McNeely had to make four stops against the Titans on Friday, and was at his best with five saves the Highlanders on Sunday, including a trio of close-range saves off a UCR free kick in the final ten minutes of the match.
The LA Galaxy Academy product leads the conference in goals against average (0.65), save percentage (.812) and shutouts (four). He has not allowed a goal in his last 180:00 minutes in net for the Gauchos.
The Gauchos will be back in action this weekend when they take on Cal State Northridge and UC Irvine in Big West road contests.
