Four Bearcats earn NWC All-Conference

SALEM, Ore. — The Northwest Conference (NWC) announced all-conference selections for the 2025 Men's Soccer season. The bearcats found four familiar names on the list. Rory McKee and Ky Iliev were both named All-NWC Second Team. Dylan Ray and Brenden Pineda were named All-NWC Third Team.

Iliev was the only Bearcat to pick up a NWC student-athlete of the week this season. He was awarded the honour for his play the week of September 8th against George Fox and Linfield.

Willamette finished the season with a 7-6-7 overall record, and they were 7-3-6 in Northwest Conference play. The men were in third place in the final NWC standings. The bearcats were seventh in 2024. Whitman won the conference with a record of 13-0-3, and Pacific Lutheran was third at 12-1-3.

Rory McKee: All-NWC Second Team

McKee played a pivotal role for Willamette during the 2025-26 soccer season, appearing in all 20 matches. McKee was instrumental on the field, leading the team in penalty count with four, showcasing his ability to draw crucial opportunities for his team. Throughout the season, he amassed seven goals and four assists, contributing significantly to his team's offensive efforts with a total of 18 points.

McKee's standout performances included a remarkable match against Whitworth University on October 19, where he recorded two goals and an assist, helping Willamette secure a narrow 5-4 victory. Additionally, he scored in the tie against Whitman College on October 18, registering one of his season's seven goals.

In a commanding display against Lewis & Clark on November 9, McKee netted two goals, contributing to a decisive 5-0 win. His season was marked by consistent offensive pressure, as evidenced by his 34 shots and 15 shots on goal, reflecting his relentless pursuit of scoring opportunities.

McKee's ability to perform in key moments, coupled with his leadership in drawing penalties, underscored his importance to the team throughout the season.

Ky Iliev: All-NWC Second Team

Iliev played a pivotal role for Willamette during the 2025-26 season, appearing in all 20 matches. As a forward, Iliev led the team in several key statistical categories, including goals, points, shots, shots on goal, game-winning goals, and goals from free kicks. Throughout the season, he demonstrated his scoring prowess by netting nine goals and contributing four assists, totalling 13 points.

Iliev's offensive capabilities were further highlighted by his 65 shots, with 28 of those being on target. His precision and accuracy were instrumental in securing two game-winning goals and four goals from free kicks, underscoring his ability to deliver in crucial moments.

In the match against George Fox University on October 15, Iliev was particularly impactful, scoring a goal and providing an assist in a 2-1 victory. Similarly, his performance against Pacific Lutheran on September 27, where he scored a goal that contributed to a 3-3 tie, showcased his consistent ability to find the back of the net.

Additionally, Iliev's physical presence on the field was marked by his involvement in 30 fouls, the most on the team, reflecting his aggressive and competitive style of play. Despite the challenges, his contributions were vital to Willamette's efforts throughout the season.

Dylan Ray: All-NWC Third Team

Ray played a key defensive role for Willamette during the 2025-26 soccer season, participating in all 20 matches. Although primarily focused on defence, Ray contributed offensively with three assists throughout the season. One of these assists came in a 1-1 draw against George Fox University on September 12, demonstrating his ability to support the attack when necessary. Additionally, Ray provided a crucial assist in the narrow 1-0 victory over Lewis & Clark on October 11, showcasing his awareness and timing in key moments.

Despite not recording a goal, Ray managed to take five shots over the course of the season, indicating his willingness to contribute to offensive efforts from his defensive position. His performance was consistent, with notable appearances such as the match on November 9 against Lewis & Clark, where he added another assist in a commanding 5-0 win.

Ray's defensive capabilities were an asset to the team, as reflected in his participation in every game, helping to maintain the team's structure and resilience against opponents. His season totals included zero goals, three assists, and five shots, all highlighting his steady presence on the field.

Brenden Pineda: All-NWC Third Team

Pineda showcased his playmaking abilities during the 2025-26 season for Willamette, leading the team in assists with eight. He appeared in all 20 matches, making significant contributions as a midfielder. Pineda found the back of the net three times, including a game-winning goal against Pacific (OR) on November 8, where he also recorded a season-high five points with an assist. His proficiency was evident in the match against Whitworth University on September 20, where he netted a goal and registered four shots on goal, demonstrating his attacking prowess. Additionally, Pineda assisted twice in the high-scoring tie with Pacific Lutheran University on September 27. Throughout the season, he totalled 37 shots, with 18 on target, underscoring his offensive impact.