Samuel Wins Fourth Career Big West Defensive Player of the Week Award
9/30/2024 4:30:00 PM | Women's Soccer
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — For the fourth time in her career and the first time this season, senior goalkeeper Mackenzie Samuel has been named the Big West Defensive Player of the Week.
This is Samuel’s first time receiving the honor since Sept. 18, 2023.
Samuel’s performance in net this past week helped Cal Poly women’s soccer earn its first Big West victory of the season on Thursday at UC Riverside. In a 2-0 win at the Highlanders, Samuel made one save to secure her 18th career shutout, tied with Alyssa Giannetti (2012-15) for the fifth most in program history. It was also her second clean sheet of the season.
In a 1-0 loss at Cal State Fullerton on Sunday, Samuel recorded a season-high 10 saves, including six in the second half, to help keep the Mustangs in the match. The 10 saves helped the San Diego native move to No. 8 on Cal Poly's all-time list in career saves with 182.
The 2022 Big West Goalkeeper of the Year and three-time All-Big West selection also currently ranks fifth all-time in matches played (54) and starts (53) among Cal Poly goalkeepers.
Samuel currently ranks second in the Big West this season in goals against average (1.125).
Cal Poly returns home to Mustang Memorial Field at Spanos Stadium this week to host a pair of crucial Big West matches against UC Irvine on Thursday at 7 p.m. and Long Beach State on Sunday at noon. You can purchase tickets to both matches at GoPoly.com/Tickets.
