IRVINE, Calif. – After leading the Titans to a pair of Big West Conference victories over UC Irvine and UC Riverside last week, the Cal State Fullerton duo of Rebecca Wilson and Colleen Ortega swept Big West Player of the Week honors, it was announced by the league office on Monday.
For the second time this season, Wilson was named Big West Women's Soccer Offensive Player of the Week after her two goals and assist helped Fullerton clinch a berth in the Big West Tournament despite the Titans having two regular season games remaining.
Wislon provided the assist on Brianna Chapman's goal as the Titans took a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute vs. UCI on Thursday before recording a 3-1 victory. The Placentia, Calif., native also added Fullerton's third goal of the match in the 48th minute against the Anteaters to provide some insurance.
In the win over the Highlanders on Sunday, Wilson scored the game winner in the 32nd minute as she leads the Titans with 10 goals in 2014. The total is tied for sixth in CSF single-season history, and Wilson is the first Titan to accomplish the feat since Kandace Wilson in 2004.
The Titans are on a season-best three-game winning streak and are unbeaten in their last six games – Fullerton's longest stretch since 2005 – as Wilson has scored nine goals in her last nine games.
This is Wilson's second Big West Offensive Player of the Week honor in her career.
Others nominated: Elise Krieghoff (Cal Poly); Ashley Gonzales (Long Beach State); Laura McGrail (UC Irvine); Lexi Poppoff (UC Davis)
Cal State Fullerton senior defender Colleen Ortega captured Big West Women's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week accolades for her all-around work in two conference victories.
She also got involved offensively as her 32nd minute pass to Rebecca Wilson led to the only goal of the match in CSF's 1-0 win over the Highlanders. Later in the match, she saved what would have been the game-tying goal off the goal line in the 57th minute.
For Ortega, this is her first Big West Defensive Player of the Week honor in her career and the first for the Titans this season.
Others nominated: Alyssa Giannetti (Cal Poly); Taylor Nelson (Long Beach State); Ana Marija Sola (UC Davis)
The match will be aired on ESPN3 and will feature the 2013 Big West Regular season champions in Cal Poly and the 2013 Big West Tournament champions in the Titans.
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7wAPA8pEYk
Sunday will also mark senior day for Cal State Fullerton's five seniors: Adriana Gjonovich, Chelsey Patterson, Lauren Stupin, Brianna Chapman and Colleen Ortega. Titan fans will be invited to join the team on the field following the match for autographs.
Cal State Fullerton will be making its ninth Big West Tournament appearance when the Titans travel to San Luis Obispo, Calif., on Thursday, Nov. 6, for the semifinals. It will also mark the third straight Big West Tournament appearance for Fullerton.