Three Bearcats are Named Third Team All-Region X in Men's Soccer

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University men's soccer players Max Berner-Hays (Sr., D, Seattle, WA/Ballard HS), Pierce Gallaway (Jr., M, Carmel, CA/Carmel HS), and Mack van der Velde (Sr., D, Voorhout, Neth./Summit HS, Bend, OR) have been named Third Team All-Region X for NCAA Division III. The All-Region Team was selected by members of the United Soccer Coaches.

The 2021 All-Region X Men's Soccer Team honored a total of 33 players. The list included 11 First Team selections, with 11 players on the Second Team and 11 players on the Third Team.

Willamette finished the season with a 12-4-1 record, including 10-3-1 (2nd place) in the Northwest Conference. The Bearcats scored 33 goals and registered six shutout wins. Willamette has earned a 52-19-11 (.701) record over the past five seasons.

Third Team All-Region X

Max Berner-Hays (Sr., D) was named All-Region for the first time. He was chosen Second Team All-NWC this year, after receiving First Team All-NWC honors during each of his first three seasons with the Bearcats. In addition, he was selected NWC Men's Soccer Freshman of the Year in 2017 and NWC Men's Soccer Defensive Player of the Year in 2018.

This season, Berner-Hays led Willamette's defense as the Bearcats held opponents to just 18 goals in 17 games. Willamette recorded six shutouts and held six opponents to one goal. While contributing on offensive set pieces, Berner-Hays scored three goals and registered three assists for nine points. He started 16 games and provided WU with 22 total shots, including 15 shots on goal.

During his Willamette career, Berner-Hays played in 71 games and made 71 starts. He scored 20 goals and registered nine assists for 49 total points. He produced 106 total shots with 54 shots on target. He scored nine game-winning goals. His efforts on defense helped the Bearcats hold opponents with a goal 28 times, including nine shutouts in 2019. Berner-Hays was a key player in 2017, when Willamette earned seven shutouts, tied for the NWC Championship, and qualified for the NCAA Division III Tournament.

Pierce Gallaway (Jr., M) earned All-Region honors for the first time this season. He scored four goals and one assist for Willamette, as he tied for third on the team with nine total points. He was a starter in all 17 games and created 32 total shots with 17 shots on goal. This fall, he scored goals against NWC opponents Pacific University, George Fox University, Linfield University, and Pacific Lutheran University. He was chosen Second Team All-NWC.

During the shortened eight-game season in the spring of 2021, Gallaway scored four goals and supplied one assist. Two of his goals were game-winners. In three years with the Bearcats, he has produced eight goals and four assists for 20 total points. His career totals also include 68 total shots and 30 shots on goal. He is 2 for 2 on penalty kicks.

Gallaway, in addition to his contributions on offense, has been a key player in linking the defense to the midfield and the attack. He is one of the most versatile players in the Northwest Conference.

Mack van der Velde (Sr., D) received All-Region recognition for the first time. He was selected Second Team All-NWC two times, in 2019 and again this fall, when he competed in and started 17 games. He scored five goals and added two assists for 12 total points. He earned the game-winning goal in a 2-1 triumph over Occidental College on Sept. 6 and provided another game-winning goal in a 2-1 victory against Pacific on Oct. 24.

In his four years with the Bearcats, van der Velde was a standout on defense and also was a leader on offense and in the midfield. His strong play was a key reason the Bearcats registered winning records each season. He played in 2017, 2018, 2019, and this fall. As a first-year member of the team in 2017, he helped Willamette win an NWC co-championship and qualify for the NCAA Tournament.

As a defender, van der Velde helped Willamette shut out nine opponents in 2019 and a total of 28 opponents during his career. He played in 70 games and had 61 starts for the Bearcats, while scoring 12 goals and six assists for 30 total points. He took 48 shots in his career, including 25 shots on goal. He was credited with six game-winning goals.