Who needs the MLS Golden Boot winner?
With Chris Wondolowski on US national team duty at the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup, his forward partner Steven Lenhart more than picked up the slack, registering his first career hat trick and an assist in the San Jose Earthquakes’ 4-2 road win over D.C. United.
The goals also gave Lenhart his first career Player of the Week award on Monday as voted on by the North American Soccer Reporters.
The 24-year-old's first two strikes came in an eight-minute span in the first half, overturning an early 1-0 deficit.
After D.C. United equalized at 2-2, it was Lenhart’s assist on a give-and-go play with teammate Simon Dawkins at the start of the second half that led to the Englishman’s goal.
Lenhart then wrapped up his hat trick evening with a 60th-minute strike, beating D.C. goalkeeper Bill Hamid to the ball and depositing it into an empty net.
The California native now has four goals on the season in just eight appearances. In his fourth MLS season, the former Azusa Pacific University player in the NAIA has 17 career goals.
Lenhart and the Earthquakes are now unbeaten in their last six matches, registering a 4-0-2 record in the process.
He will look to add to his goal-scoring tally on Friday, June 17 when the Earthquakes host Sporting Kansas City at Buck Shaw Stadium at 8:30 p.m. ET on FOX Soccer.
WATCH: FULL MATCH HIGHLIGHTS - DC 2, SJ 4
2011 PLAYER OF THE WEEK WINNERS
Week 13: Steven Lenhart (San Jose Earthquakes)
Week 12: Jean Alexandre (Real Salt Lake)
Week 11: Justin Mapp (Philadelphia Union)
Week 10: Jeff Parke (Seattle Sounders)
Week 9: Justin Braun (Chivas USA)
Week 8: Joao Plata (Toronto FC)
Week 7: Will Bruin (Houston Dynamo)
Week 6: Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy)
Week 5: Luke Rodgers (New York Red Bulls)
Week 4: David Ferreira (FC Dallas)
Week 3: Camilo (Vancouver Whitecaps)
Week 2: Javier Morales (Real Salt Lake)
Week 1: Omar Bravo (Sporting Kansas City)
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