SAN BRUNO, Calif. – Pepperdine freshman defender Isabel Nelson has been named the West Coast Conference Women’s Soccer Player of the Week, the conference office announced Monday. Nelson becomes the first defender and the first freshman to earn the honor in the 2018 season.
 
Nelson scored a late game-winning goal in Saturday's 2-1 win over BYU, putting the Waves into first place in the WCC. She was also a standout from her central defender position. With the Waves holding a 1-0 lead late in the first half and BYU threatening, Nelson was able to clear a BYU shot off the line for a team save in the 40th minute. After BYU equalized in the 77th minute, Nelson scored less than a minute later when she headed in a corner kick for the game's final goal.
 
The Cougars came into the game averaging WCC highs of 22 shots and 2.6 goals per game and Nelson was a key part of a defensive unit that kept the Cougars under their averages.
 
This season, Nelson has appeared in 14 of 15 games, and has made 13 starts as a central defender. She has scored two goals.
 
Also Nominated: Sarina Bolden, Loyola Marymount; AnnaMaria DiGeronimo, Saint Mary’s; Summer Mason, San Diego
 
2018 West Coast Conference Player of the Week
Week 1 (8/20) – Samantha Jehnings, R-Jr., F, San Francisco
Week 2 (8/27) – Maria Sanchez, R-Sr., F, Santa Clara
Week 3 (9/3) – Miciah Madison, Jr., F, San Francisco
Week 4 (9/10) – Larkin Russell, Jr., M, Portland
Week 5 (9/17) – Melissa Lowder, Sr., GK, Santa Clara
Week 6 (9/24) – Rachel Lusby, Sr., GK, Portland
Week 7 (10/1) – Elise Flake, Jr., F, Brigham Young
Week 8 (10/8) – Brielle Preece, Sr., GK, Pepperdine
Week 9 (10/15) – Isabel Nelson, Fr., D, Pepperdine