California State University Northridge Athletics
Photo by: Connor Clark
CSUN Sweeps Big West Player of the Week Honors
10/16/2023 2:04:00 PM | Men's Soccer
NORTHRIDGE, Calif.---CSUN Men's Soccer swept this week's Big West Player of the Week awards, the league office announced. Jamar Ricketts collected his second Offensive Player of the Week award of the year while Merrick Cook was awarded with Defensive and Freshman Player of the Week in what would be an undefeated week for CSUN on the pitch.
Originally from Montclair, N.J., Ricketts scored both of his goals at opportune moments last week. With the Matadors' trailing by a goal at UC Davis on Wednesday, Ricketts found the back of the net off a cross from Michael Arrington in the 63rd minute. The equalizer helped CSUN earn an important point in The Big West standings with the Matadors eventually battling to a 1-1 draw with the Aggies. Three nights later, Ricketts came through again, this time in the 89th minute in a scoreless draw at UC Irvine. On the play, Ricketts would travel half of the length of the field before scoring past multiple defenders for what would be the game-winning strike.
Ricketts, who also earned Big West Offensive Player of the Week honors on Sept. 4, tops the Matadors with 17 points and six goals, which rank second and fourth-best in The Big West.
In goal, Cook gave CSUN a lift in just his third and fourth appearances of the season. A freshman from Cerritos, Cook recorded three saves versus UC Davis with a lone goal surrendered in the 32nd minute. Cook would have to be strong again against UC Irvine on Saturday where he faced 15 total shots including 11 in the second half. CSUN's netminder recorded four saves on the night, keeping the opposition scoreless. Cook finished with his first career clean sheet, blanking an Anteater team that defeated No. 13 Cal State Fullerton three nights before.
Thrust into the starting lineup on Oct. 7, Cook has gone 1-0-2 in three starts. Overall on the year, he has posted a 0.63 goals-against-average in 285 minutes between the pipes.
CSUN returns home this week for key Big West matches with UC San Diego on Wednesday and UC Santa Barbara on Sunday. Both matches will begin at 7 p.m. on ESPN+.
#GoMatadors
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Originally from Montclair, N.J., Ricketts scored both of his goals at opportune moments last week. With the Matadors' trailing by a goal at UC Davis on Wednesday, Ricketts found the back of the net off a cross from Michael Arrington in the 63rd minute. The equalizer helped CSUN earn an important point in The Big West standings with the Matadors eventually battling to a 1-1 draw with the Aggies. Three nights later, Ricketts came through again, this time in the 89th minute in a scoreless draw at UC Irvine. On the play, Ricketts would travel half of the length of the field before scoring past multiple defenders for what would be the game-winning strike.
Ricketts, who also earned Big West Offensive Player of the Week honors on Sept. 4, tops the Matadors with 17 points and six goals, which rank second and fourth-best in The Big West.
In goal, Cook gave CSUN a lift in just his third and fourth appearances of the season. A freshman from Cerritos, Cook recorded three saves versus UC Davis with a lone goal surrendered in the 32nd minute. Cook would have to be strong again against UC Irvine on Saturday where he faced 15 total shots including 11 in the second half. CSUN's netminder recorded four saves on the night, keeping the opposition scoreless. Cook finished with his first career clean sheet, blanking an Anteater team that defeated No. 13 Cal State Fullerton three nights before.
Thrust into the starting lineup on Oct. 7, Cook has gone 1-0-2 in three starts. Overall on the year, he has posted a 0.63 goals-against-average in 285 minutes between the pipes.
CSUN returns home this week for key Big West matches with UC San Diego on Wednesday and UC Santa Barbara on Sunday. Both matches will begin at 7 p.m. on ESPN+.
#GoMatadors
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