SACRAMENTO -- Sacramento State newcomer Justin Faison was named the Big West Conference men's soccer freshman of the week after helping the Hornets to an unbeaten week with a win over Saint Mary's and a short-handed draw with Pacific.

Faison is the first Sacramento State player to earn the league's freshman of the week award since it was instituted in 2021, and the first Hornet to win a conference weekly honor since Benji Kikanovic shared offensive player of the week laurels on Sept. 23, 2019.

Earning a start on the back line for the second consecutive week, the Huntington Beach, Calif., native helped spearhead a defense that limited the Gaels and Tigers to six combined shots on goal (three apiece) in a 4-1 victory and a 1-1 draw, respectively.

He played 60 minutes against Saint Mary's, finishing with his first career shot attempt, following that up three days later by playing 56 minutes against Pacific with his team down a man after the Hornets had a player sent off.

Aside from his efforts on the defensive end, Faison also helped push Sacramento State forward, finishing with a career high three attempts with two of those on frame as the Hornets rallied for the equalizer in the final 10 minutes.

Faison and the Hornets closes out a run of four consecutive matches against West Coast Conference opponents this week, hosting Loyola Marymount on Thursday (Sept. 8) and welcoming Gonzaga on Sunday (Sept. 11).