Nigeria international Gift Monday has been voted the National Women’s Soccer League Player of the Week for Round 22 of the 2025 regular season, following her record-breaking hat trick for Washington Spirit.
The 23-year-old forward received 50.3% of the 881 votes cast on the league’s official X account, finishing ahead of Gotham FC’s Rose Lavelle (35%), Utah Royals goalkeeper Mia Justus (8.1%), and Kansas City Current striker Bia Zaneratto (6.7%).
Monday’s award came after a historic display in Washington Spirit’s 4-0 victory over Houston Dash, where she netted three goals inside 36 minutes — the fastest hat trick from kick-off in NWSL history and the first ever hat trick at Audi Field.
Making her first start since mid-August, Monday opened the scoring in the 18th minute from a Trinity Rodman assist, doubled her tally three minutes later by converting her rebound, and sealed the hat trick with a one-touch finish from another Rodman pass.
Washington secured the win with Sofia Cantore’s late backheel goal, while goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury and the defence ensured their eighth clean sheet of the season, sealing a second successive play-off qualification.
Reflecting on the performance, Monday said:
“Playing for the Super Falcons is a very big honour for me. I am so glad to give Nigeria this gift. I think today is just special for me… this hat trick has been waiting for me for a very long time.”
Meanwhile, other nominees impressed across the league: Justus shone in Utah’s 2-0 win over Bay FC, Zaneratto scored in Kansas City Current’s 4-1 victory over Chicago, and Lavelle produced a goal and assist in Gotham’s 3-0 triumph over Portland Thorns.
