PULLMAN, Wash. – For the second time this season, junior Brianna Alger was named the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week announced by the conference office Tuesday afternoon. Alger also took home the opening award of the season on Aug. 27. Her award is the third for the Cougars on the year along with Averie Collins Offensive Player of the Week award on Sept. 10. In the last two seasons the Cougars have earned six defensive awards with four weekly honors last season to go with Algers' two this year.

Continuing her ascent into one of the Cougars' most versatile weapons on both ends of the field, Alger led the Cougars to the Rainbow Wahine Shootout title in Hawaii over the weekend setting up a pair of game-winning strikes as WSU downed Hawai'i (1-0) and Pepperdine (2-1) in paradise. Offensively, Alger showed off her pinpoint passing accuracy in both contests finding Shayna Whieldon on a set piece to beat the Wahine Thursday before one-timing a pass over the top to Molly Myers who finished off the Waves Sunday. The assist to Myers was the first helper in the run of play for Alger after nabbing her first five assists on set pieces and corners. 

While pushing forward offensively, Alger was staunch defensively on the left side as the Cougars' defense allowed just one goal and 10 shots over the weekend. Against Hawai'i, the Cougs gave up just three total shots despite playing in a hostile road environment while Sunday WSU overcame one of the hottest teams in the country in Pepperdine, allowing one goal on seven shots. 

Overall, Alger and the Cougars' defense have posted four shutouts in eight contests while allowing just seven total goals. On the offensive end, Alger is tied for the Pac-12 lead with six assists. Her six assists is one shy of tying for seventh in WSU's single-season record book. Alger is two assists off of the all-time record pace set last season by all-region honoree Maddy Haro who Alger replaced at left back this season.
 
The Cougs and Alger kick off Pac-12 play Saturday, Sept. 29 against the conference's only perfect team in non-conference play, 8-0 Oregon State. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. start at Lower Soccer Field on the Pac-12 Networks.