By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University senior forward Nicholas Ballenger (Salem, OR/West Salem HS/Oregon State Univ.) has been named Northwest Conference Men's Soccer Offensive Student-Athlete of the Week after scoring two goals and one assist in two games for the Bearcats this past weekend. Willamette shut out Howard Payne University (Texas), 4-0 on Saturday, Aug. 31, before the Bearcats tied #9-ranked Trinity University (Texas), 1-1 in two overtimes, on Sunday, Sept. 1. The Bearcats opened the season with a 1-0-1 record after playing both games at Paul McGinlay Field on the Trinity campus in San Antonio, Texas.

Ballenger produced a goal and an assist in the victory over Howard Payne. He scored Willamette's second goal at 47:36, and then added the primary assist on the third goal, which was scored by Yushiro Shiomi (So., D, Kyoto, Japan/TIUA) at 69:45. Ballenger, who played 70 minutes, tied for the team lead with five total shots. The Bearcats outshot the Yellow Jackets, 34-3 overall, including 11-0 in shots on goal.

In the tie against Trinity, Ballenger scored Willamette's goal against the Tigers on a 52-yard shot over the goalkeeper during a counter-attack at 27:11 in the first half. Trinity began the game ranked #9 in the NCAA Division III Preseason Poll released by United Soccer Coaches. The Tigers scored their only goal on a penalty kick at 53:39. Neither team scored during the remainder of regulation or in either of the two 10-minute overtimes. Willamette finished strong with five shots and four corner kicks during the second overtime to end the game with a 17-16 edge in total shots and an 8-7 margin in corners.

Ballenger was Willamette's second-leading scorer last season with seven goals and three assists for 17 total points. In 37 career games played for the Bearcats, he has scored 12 goals and eight assists for 32 total points.

The Bearcats will host crosstown rival Corban University on Friday, Sept. 6 at Sparks Field. Game time on the Willamette campus is set for 7 p.m. (PDT). Corban is ranked #16 in the NAIA Preseason Poll. Willamette defeated the Warriors, 2-1, in an exhibition game on Aug. 24.