Izzy Martinez Earns PrestoSports-NAIA Defensive Honors
The Brenau goalkeeper recorded two shutouts, helping the Golden Tigers secure a spot in the Appalachian Athletic Conference tournament.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Soccer
Brenau freshman goalkeeper Izzy Martinez earned PrestoSports-NAIA Women's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week honors after recording two shutouts. Her performance helped Brenau secure the final berth in the Appalachian Athletic Conference tournament with a 4-0 victory.
Why it matters
The honor recognizes individual defensive performance at the NAIA level, a national governing body for small college athletics programs. Brenau's tournament qualification extends its season into the conference postseason.
Martinez made six saves in a 0-0 draw against Reinhardt and 10 saves in the 4-0 win, totaling 16 saves across two matches. The extraction does not indicate how these figures compare with her season averages.
The players
Izzy Martinez
A freshman goalkeeper for Brenau from McDonough, Ga., who was recognized for her defensive play in consecutive matches.
PrestoSports-NAIA
The governing body of small college athletics programs, founded in 1937 and headquartered in Kansas City, Mo.
The details
Martinez, a native of McDonough, Ga., made saves while playing in goal in both matches. The 4-0 victory gave Brenau the final tournament berth, and the team is scheduled to face Spartanburg Methodist (S.C.) in the AAC Quarterfinals.
Timeline
Last week: Martinez recorded two shutouts and earned the Defensive Player of the Week honor.
November 3, 2026, 2 p.m. ET: Brenau plays Spartanburg Methodist in the AAC Quarterfinals.
Season Trajectory
The NAIA, founded in 1937 and headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., oversees small college athletics programs that compete for national championships each year. Martinez's recognition and Brenau's conference qualification place the program within that structure's postseason path.
Brenau's qualification for the AAC tournament means the team's season continues into a postseason match on November 3. The defensive honor also matters for fans tracking NAIA individual award recognition through the season.
The takeaway
Martinez's two-match performance shows how a single goalkeeper can carry a team into conference postseason play. Watching her work in the quarterfinal will show whether the defensive form holds against stronger opposition.
What happens next
Brenau faces Spartanburg Methodist (S.C.) in the AAC Quarterfinals on November 3, 2026, at 2 p.m. ET.
Further reading
For more on college teams in the region, explore our Soccer coverage.
