Berger earns Big West defensive honors

Hawaii freshman goalkeeper Monk Berger was honored as the Big West Conference women’s soccer defensive player of the week Monday after shutout performances in UH wins at Oregon and Oregon State over the weekend.

"I am speechless. That was out of the blue for me, I did not see that one coming," said Berger, who arrived back in the islands with her teammates Monday afternoon.

Berger had seven saves in a 1-0 win against the Ducks in Eugene, Ore., on Friday and followed it up with four more stops — and stalwart play once UH had to go a player down for the last 13 minutes — in a 1-0 win over the Beavers in Corvallis, Ore., on Sunday.

The Mission Viejo, Calif., native helped the Rainbow Wahine to their first back-to-back shutouts since 2009. It was also the first time UH won consecutive road games since 2008, and never before had the Rainbow Wahine defeated two Pac-12 opponents in a row.

"We’re pretty psyched right now. They were two good wins, but we still have our whole season in front of us, so we can’t get too excited. But right now we’re living in the moment," Berger said.

Berger became the second UH player given a weekly award by the Big West in two years. Tiana Fujimoto earned an offensive distinction last season.

UH (2-2) continues play at Waipio Peninsula Soccer Stadium against Idaho State and Portland State on Friday and Sunday in the Outrigger Hotels and Resorts Soccer Classic.