Nigeria Players Abroad
Gift Monday clinches Player of the Week after record-breaking hat trick for Washington Spirit
By Oluwadamilola Olaleye
Nigerian forward Monday Gift has been named the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Player of the Week following her electrifying performance in Washington Spirit’s crucial win over Houston Dash, which secured their spot in the playoffs.
The 21-year-old delivered a historic hat trick—her first for the club—scoring all three goals within the first 36 minutes of the match, setting a new league record for the fastest hat trick in NWSL history.
The performance not only sealed the Spirit’s place in the postseason for a second consecutive year but also marked Gift’s first Player of the Week accolade since joining the team earlier this spring.
Her rapid adaptation and rising influence have made her one of the breakout stars of the 2025 NWSL season.
“Honored to be named Player of the Week. Big thanks to my teammates, coaches, and fans for the support—this is for us all,” Gift posted on her X (formerly Twitter) handle.
Her recognition adds to Washington Spirit’s impressive individual record this season. Gift becomes the eighth different Spirit player to earn the league’s weekly honor—the most of any team in the current campaign.
She is also the fourth consecutive Spirit player and seventh in the last 12 match weeks to receive the award, underscoring the team’s depth and consistent performance.
The Spirit’s emphatic victory over Houston keeps them in strong contention for a home quarterfinal, which they can clinch with another solid outing this coming weekend.
Gift’s current form will be vital to those ambitions, as she continues to establish herself as one of the most dangerous attackers in the league.
