By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University's Max Berner-Hays (So., D, Seattle, WA/Ballard HS) has been selected as the Northwest Conference Men's Soccer Offensive Student-Athlete of the Week for his successful attacking against Whitworth University on Saturday, Sept. 29 and against Whitman College on Sunday, Sept. 30. Berner-Hays scored all three goals as the Bearcats shutout Whitworth, 2-0, and defeated Whitman, 1-0.
Berner-Hays earned both goals against Whitworth on headers in the first 12 minutes of the second half. He scored the first goal at 46:13 and tacked on an insurance goal at 56:59. His two goals against the Pirates allowed the Bearcats to win despite playing with 10 men for 43:01 and playing with nine men for the final 28:49 due to red cards.
In the win over Whitman, Berner-Hays provided the only goal on a shot for about six yards out and just outside the right post at 14:30. The Bearcats maintained their lead the rest of the game to improve to 9-1-1 on the season. Willamette leads the NWC standings with a 6-0 record.
Berner-Hays leads the NWC with seven goals and 18 points this year. He has scored at least one goal in three consecutive games and has registered a goal or an assist in each of the past five matches. As a defender, he has contributed to Willamette achieving five shutout wins this season. In the shutouts against Whitworth and Whitman his headers on defense helped Willamette control the box.