UCSB’s Samantha Murphy
Samantha Murphy was named the Big West Women’s Water Polo Player of the Week after scoring a hat trick to lead No. 15 UCSB past No. 11 Long Beach State in the regular season finale.
“Sam executed with her speed and was not only a shooter but a scorer,” UCSB Head Coach Serela Kay noted. “She has stepped up her game all around and will be one to watch this weekend at the Big West Conference Championships.”
With the 8-7 upset victory, the Gauchos clinched the No. 4 seed for this weekend’s Big West Tournament in Honolulu. Murphy was the driving force behind UCSB’s offense in scoring three goals on three shots. She consistently put pressure on the 49ers’ defense, as she pulled the Gauchos ahead by as many as four goals.
The utility has now registered the second-most goals on the team with 32.
This is the third player of the week accolade that the Gauchos have won this season, as freshman Camila Schafer garnered the previous two.
UCSB will open the conference tournament this Friday with fifth seeded UC Davis at 8:45 p.m. PDT.
