(Arlington, Texas - Sept. 3) – Utah Tech's Michelle Rodriguez was named the WAC Defensive Player of the Week, the Western Athletic Conference announced on Tuesday. The junior defender is the Utah Tech women's soccer team's first conference weekly awards honoree this season. 

The native of West Valley City, Utah, played the full 90 minutes in a 2-1 Trailblazer victory at CSUN on Thursday. Rodriguez and the Trailblazer defense limited the Matadors to one goal and two shots on goal.

Rodriguez has played all 450 minutes this season and scored her first career goal against Boise State on Aug. 24. The five-foot-six defender also made the Preseason All-WAC team, as voted by WAC coaches entering the 2025 season. 

Utah Tech is back in action on Thursday, Sept. 4, at Idaho State in Pocatello, Idaho. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Davis Field, and the match will be streamed on ESPN+.