PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State soccer senior Bridget Rieken was named the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week, the Conference announced Monday afternoon. Rieken scored the game-winner in WSU's first program win over Portland and became the second Cougar in as many weeks to earn conference weekly honors.
 
Rieken was named the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week for the second time in her career (Sept. 6, 2021) after playing all 180 minutes with wins at Portland, Thursday night, and against Weber State, Sunday afternoon. The Coeur d'Alene fifth-year senior headed home the game-winning goal in the 48th minute in Portland and captained the backline to a cleansheet.
 
The honor for Rieken is WSU's first defensive weekly honor since Sydney Pulver was named Defensive Player of the Week, Nov. 1, 2021. The Cougars have now earned two Pac-12 player honors in 2023 after missing out on the weekly recognitions throughout the 2022 season. The last time WSU earned back-to-back conference weekly honors was by Nadia Cooper, Oct. 25, 2021 and Sydney Pulver, Nov. 1, 2021. Rieken's selection marks the fifth time in WSU history with back-to-back Pac-12 Player of the Week selections.
 
Recently, Rieken surpassed 6,000 career minutes player for the Cougs. In her time at WSU, the Cougars have earned a national semifinal finish and averaged less than a goal allowed per game.
 
The Conference also named Ally Cook of UCLA as the Pac-12 Offensive Player of Week, while Colorado's Jordan Nytes picked up the goalkeeper weekly honor.
 
Washington State returns to the pitch Thursday, Aug. 31 to continue an all-September homestand, welcoming San Diego State for a 7 p.m. kickoff at Lower Soccer Field.