By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University attacker Catie Kawamura (Sr., San Diego, CA/San Diego International Studies) has been chosen as the Northwest Conference Women's Lacrosse Offensive Student-Athlete of the Week for all games played this season through Sunday, Feb. 19. Kawamura scored a team-high nine goals in the Bearcats' first two games, a 17-2 victory over Eastern Oregon University on Feb. 10 and a 22-8 win against crosstown rival Corban University on Feb. 15.

Kawamura scored three goals against Eastern Oregon and added six goals against Corban. In the two games she registered a total of eight draw controls, three ground balls, and two caused turnovers. She has registered 12 shots, including 10 shots on goal.

Her six goals at Corban tied for sixth on Willamette's all-time list. Her career-high of seven goals against Pacific University on April 20, 2022 is tied for second all-time.

Kawamura is Willamette's all-time leader in career total points. She has scored 96 goals to go along with 28 assists for 124 points with the Bearcats. She ranks second all-time in career goals, trailing only current teammate Maddie Garcia (Sr., MID, Encinitas, CA/San Dieguito Academy), who has scored 102 goals.

The Bearcats will open Northwest Conference play with two home games at Sparks Field this weekend. On Saturday, Feb. 25, Willamette will take on George Fox University at 1 p.m. (PST). GFU has won the last six NWC Championships (2016-19, 2021-22). The Bearcats began competing in women's lacrosse in 2019. The Bearcats will battle the University of Puget Sound on Sunday, Feb. 26. at 1 p.m. (PST). Last year, the Bearcats swept the Loggers, winning 13-9 at Puget Sound and earning a 7-6 victory at Sparks Field at the end of the season. Willamette was 12-5 overall in 2022 and finished second in the NWC with a 9-3 record.