Nigeria’s Gift Monday has been named the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Player of the Week for Round 22 of the 2025 regular season following her historic hat-trick that fired Washington Spirit into the play-offs.
The Super Falcons forward polled 50.3 per cent of the 881 votes on the league’s official X account on Tuesday, finishing ahead of Gotham FC’s Rose Lavelle (35 per cent), Utah Royals goalkeeper Mia Justus (8.1 per cent), and Kansas City Current striker Bia Zaneratto (6.7 per cent).
Monday’s award comes after a blistering performance in the Spirit’s 4-0 win over Houston Dash, where she netted three times in just 36 minutes — the fastest hat-trick from kick-off in NWSL history. It also marked the first-ever hat-trick at Audi Field.
The 23-year-old, making her first start since mid-August, opened scoring in the 18th minute from Trinity Rodman’s assist, doubled the lead three minutes later by following up her own header, and completed the treble with a one-touch finish from another Rodman delivery. Sofia Cantore added a late fourth goal as Washington sealed victory and booked a second successive play-off berth, with goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury and the defence securing their eighth clean sheet of the season.
Speaking after the match, Monday described the feat as special:
“Playing for the Super Falcons is a very big honour for me. I’m always happy to represent the green white green. I don’t know how today ended up this way, but I’m so grateful. This hat-trick has been waiting for me for a very long time.”
She also credited her teammates and coach for their support:
“It’s been a while since I last scored a hat-trick, but today it came so fast. It’s all about hard work and team spirit. I thank my coach for trusting me with a start.”
Elsewhere in the NWSL, goalkeeper Mia Justus starred as Utah Royals beat Bay FC 2-0 to extend their unbeaten run to seven matches, Zaneratto scored in Kansas City Current’s 4-1 win over Chicago Red Stars, while Lavelle recorded a goal and an assist in Gotham’s 3-0 victory against Portland Thorns.
