UCLA sophomore Karina Rodriguez has been named the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week, her first career award and the Bruins' 73rd all-time weekly honor.

Rodriguez (Torrance, Calif.) led the Bruin defense to two shutout victories last week, helping UCLA hold each opponent to zero shots on goal. In UCLA's 3-0 win at LMU on Thursday, the Bruin defense limited the Lions to just three shots, and San Diego State only had one in the Bruins' 3-0 win, the one shot coming in the final 65 seconds of play. Additionally, Rodriguez scored her first collegiate goal with a strike from 10 yards out in the final 45 seconds of the first half at San Diego State. Thanks to Rodriguez's strong play at center back, UCLA finished non-conference play with a 5-1-1 record.

UCLA has totaled three Pac-12 weekly honors this season. Along with Rodriguez, Hailie Mace was named Offensive Player of the Week Aug. 21, and Teagan Micah was the Goalkeeper of the Week Aug. 28.

The Bruins will begin Pac-12 play on Friday, Sept. 21 against Washington State at Wallis Annenberg Stadium at 8pm.