Brzykcy, Desiano Earn Pac-12 Player of Week Honors

UCLA senior Lauren Brzykcy has been named the Pac-12 Goalkeeper of the Week, and redshirt junior Madelyn Desiano was awarded Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week after the Bruins shut out eighth-ranked Santa Clara on Sept. 9.

Brzykcy, who hails from San Clemente, Calif., earned her third solo shutout this season, stopping nine of Santa Clara's 18 shots in a 1-0 victory. The reigning Pac-12 Goalkeeper of the Year tied her career-best with nine saves, including a 1-v-1 opportunity against Izzy D'Aquila in the 61st minute and a D'Aquila volley attempt in the 75th minute. The shutout was UCLA's fourth consecutive. Brzykcy has not allowed a goal in 360 minutes of play. Additionally, she set up the game-winning goal with a long service into the other half of the field that made its way to Madelyn Desiano, who served to Reilyn Turner for the goal.

Desiano, who is also from San Clemente, Calif., assisted on the game-winner against Santa Clara, her Pac-12-leading sixth assist of the season. Desiano has recorded an assist in every game this year, a five-game streak. She also blocked a shot in front of goal late in the game to help preserve the Bruins' shutout. The Bruin defense has allowed just one goal this season and has a team goals against average of 0.20.

This is Brzkycy's first Goalkeeper of the Week award of the season and third of her career and Desiano's second Defensive Player of the Week award of the season and her career.

UCLA has won at least one weekly award in three of the season's four weeks, with Desiano winning Defensive Player of the Week on Aug. 24 and Turner earning Offensive Player of the Week honors on Sept. 6.

Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week: Aug. 24 – Nicole Douglas, ASU; Aug. 30 – Maya Doms, Stanford; Sept. 6 – Reilyn Turner, UCLA; Sept. 13 – Zoe Hasenauer, Oregon.

Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week: Aug. 24 – Madelyn Desiano, UCLA; Aug. 30 – Lieske Carleer, Arizona State; Sept. 6 - Bridget Rieken, Washington State; Sept. 13 – Madelyn Desiano, UCLA.

Pac-12 Goalkeeper of the Week: Aug. 24 – Makena Smith, California; Aug. 30 – Birta Gudlaugs, Arizona State; Sept. 6 - Anna Smith, USC; Sept. 13 – Lauren Brzykcy, UCLA.