Hat Trick Propels Martinez to Player of the Week Acclaim
Cal State Monterey Bay senior forward Walmer Martinez produced a hat trick for his undefeated side en route to CCAA Player of the Week recognition for Sept. 9-15.
The native of Santa Cruz first set up the 63rd-minute game-winner in a 2-0 victory over UT-Permian Basin in the Otters’ home opener on Friday night. Then in a 4-0 road romp over Academy of Art on Sunday afternoon, Martinez hit for just the second hat trick in program history. He drew a ninth-minute penalty kick before converting the try into the bottom left corner for an early 2-0 advantage. Martinez headed a Colin O’Mahoney cross into the top right corner shortly after the second-half kickoff, and completed the natural hat trick in the 88th minute.
Martinez has gotten off to a stellar start to his final collegiate campaign, having struck for a pair of game-winners during the opening weekend, with the Otters now out to a perfect 4-0 start under first-year head coach Graeme Jaap. The 4-0 opening mark is the first since 2013 for Cal State Monterey Bay, and is just the second in program history.
Martinez is the CCAA individual leader in goals (five), points (11) and shots (20) in the early going.
Cal State Monterey Bay wraps up its non-conference schedule and begins a three-match home stand Friday night against local foe UC Santa Cruz.
Also nominated:
Nick Cirrito, UC San Diego
Isaiah Dairo, Humboldt State
Christian Djurasevic, Cal State Dominguez Hills
Garrett Hogbin, Chico State
Robin Lindahl, Cal State LA
Justin Motzkus, Stanislaus State
Kasper Tindbaek, San Francisco State
Oliver Ziemer, Sonoma State