SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – UC Santa Barbara men's soccer forward Finn Ballard McBride earned a spot on the College Soccer News National Team of the Week in addition to being named the Big West Offensive Player of the Week for the second time in 14 days, it was announced on Monday.
Ballard McBride got the Gauchos out of a bit of an offensive slump in last Wednesday's 2-0 win at Sacramento State, as he found the back of the net in both halves. With his second brace of the season, Ballard McBride moved past Steve Pollock for No. 10 all-time in career goals in a Gaucho uniform with 26.
He now has a Big West-leading five goals through the first five games of conference play. UCSB's star striker also leads the Big West with eight goals for the season and is tied for fourth in the nation with four game-winning goals.
The Sydney, Australia native led the Big West with nine goals in both the 2019 and 2021 seasons and is in position to do it for a third time. With four games remaining in the regular season, he is on pace to set a new single-season best by reaching double-figures for the first time.
This is Ballard McBride's second National Team of the Week selection this season. It's also the third Big West Offensive Player of the Week award of his career. The Gauchos have now claimed the honor in five out of eight weeks this season.
