Nigeria’s Gift Monday has been named the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Player of the Week for Round 22 after her record-breaking hat trick powered Washington Spirit into the play-offs.

The 23-year-old forward earned 50.3 per cent of the 881 votes cast on the league’s official X account on Tuesday, finishing ahead of Gotham FC midfielder 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 came on the back of a sensational display in Washington’s 4-0 win over Houston Dash, where she scored three times inside the opening 36 minutes, the fastest hat trick from kick-off in NWSL history. It was also 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. Just three minutes later, she doubled her tally, pouncing after her own header was parried, before completing the treble with a smart one-touch finish from another Rodman delivery.

Sofia Cantore’s late backheel sealed the emphatic victory, while goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury and the Spirit’s defense registered an eighth clean sheet of the season, confirming their spot in the play-offs for the second straight year.

Reflecting on her performance, Monday expressed gratitude to her country and club:

“Playing for the Super Falcons is a very big honour for me. I am always more than happy to represent the green white green. I am so glad to give Nigeria this precious gift. I don’t know how I ended up like this today, but I am grateful, and I think that today is just special for me.”

On her long-awaited hat trick, she added:

“It’s been a minute since I scored a hat trick. Today, it came so fast, and I think it is just based on hard work and team spirit. I want to say a very big thank you to my coach for trusting me and giving me the opportunity to start this game because I think that hat trick has been waiting for me for a very long time.”

Elsewhere, the other nominees also impressed: Justus produced key saves in Utah Royals’ 2-0 win over Bay FC, extending their unbeaten streak to seven games; Zaneratto scored in Kansas City Current’s 4-1 victory over Chicago; while Lavelle contributed a goal and an assist in Gotham’s 3-0 triumph over Portland Thorns.