Bearcats Continue to Hold #10 Ranking in West Region

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- The Willamette University women's soccer team is ranked #10 in the West Region of NCAA Division III again this week in rankings released by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). Willamette is 7-6-1 overall, including 6-3-1 in the Northwest Conference.

Last week, Willamette lost to Linfield College, 1-0, in overtime and shut out Lewis & Clark, 3-0. Linfield leads the NWC with an 8-1-2 record (18 points) and is ranked #$ in the West Region.

Stephanie Skelly (Sr., MF, Poulsbo, WA/North Kitsap HS) scored two goals against L&C to lead the Bearcats to the win. Skelly is WU's leading scorer with 10 goals and 1 assist.

The #1 team in the West Region remains Trinity University (Texas). Trinity is undefeated at 14-0-0 on the season. Hardin-Simmons University (Texas) is ranked #2 with a 12-1-0 record. California Lutheran University is #3 at 15-1-0.

Linfield moved up three spots from #7 to #4. The Wildcats are 11-2-2 overall. University of Puget Sound, 9-2-2, dropped one spot to #5 after tying both Whitman College and and Whitworth University last week. University of Redlands, now 8-4-1, also slipped one position and is now #6 in the West.

University of Texas-Dallas moved down one slot to #7 with an 11-3-0 record. Pomona-Pitzer (Calif.) remained #8 and used to wins to improve to 8-4-1. Whitworth, 6-4-3 overall and 6-2-3 in the NWC, jumped into the rankings at #9. Willamette kept the #10 position for the third consecutive week.