Martin Honored as NWC Men's Soccer Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week

By Mark Colachico, Interim Assistant Athletics Communications Director

SALEM, ORE. -- Kevin Martin (Sr., D, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA/Francis Parker School) of Willamette University has been selected as the Northwest Conference Men's Soccer Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week for his play during road games at George Fox University on Friday, Oct. 17 and at Pacific University on Sunday, Oct. 19. The Bearcats shut out George Fox 2-0 and blanked Pacific 1-0.

Martin played all 90 minutes of both games, as Willamette improved to 10-4-1 overall, 7-1-1 in the Northwest Conference. The Bearcats are tied for place in the NWC with the University of Puget Sound. Both teams have 22 points in the standings. Whitworth University holds third place at 6-1-2 with 20 points.

In addition to helping the Bearcats record two shutouts, Martin provided the assist on the only goal in the win at Pacific. On the scoring play, he sent a pass from 50 yards out to forward Jesse Thompson (Jr., Santa Ynez, CA/Santa Ynez HS), who scored with just 3:53 left in the game.

Martin also moved into the attack on offensive restarts. He took one shot against the Bruins and earned three shots versus the Boxers.

As a team, Willamette was outshot by George Fox, 14-11, but the Bearcats held a 6-5 lead in shots on goal. At Pacific, the Bearcats achieved a 10-4 margin in total shots, including a 4-0 advantage in shots on goal. Including a 1-0 win at Linfield College on Oct. 12, Willamette has registered three consecutive shutout victories.

The Bearcats will play two more road games this week. Willamette is set to play at Pacific Lutheran University on Saturday, Oct. 25 at 2:30 p.m. (PDT). WU will play at Puget Sound on Sunday, Oct. 26, with kickoff at 2:30 p.m.