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

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University women's soccer Head Coach Hillary Arthur has been chosen as the 2011-12 Chuck Bowles Collegiate Coach of the Year by the Salem Sports and Breakfast Club. She received the award at the organization's annual awards breakfast on Friday, June 1 at the Cat Cavern on the Willamette campus.

The Charles Bowles Coach of the Year Award is presented annually to one high school coach and one collegiate coach in the Salem area. The award has been presented a total of 53 times since 1975.

Arthur led Willamette to an 11-8-1 overall record during the 2011 season last fall. The Bearcats were 10-5-1 (31 points) and finished third n the NWC. Willamette was picked to finish sixth in the NWC Preseason Poll. The Bearcats picked up a big win on Oct. 23 when Willamette defeated arch rival University of Puget Sound, 2-1, at Sparks Field in Salem.

Stephanie Skelly (Sr., MF, Poulsbo, WA/North Kitsap HS) of Willamette was named First Team All-NWC and was the NWC Offensive Player of the Year. She was chosen Second Team All-West Region.

Skelly scored both goals in Willamette's win over Puget Sound, including the winning goal with 21 seconds on the clock. She led the NWC with 16 goals and 5 assists for 37 points in 2011. She concluded her career with 35 goals and 7 assists for 77 points.

Arthur's players also have excelled in the classroom. Skelly earned First Team Capital One Academic All-District and First Team Capital One Academic All-America recognition this past season. In addition, the Bearcat women's soccer team received the Team Academic Award from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).

While attending college, Arthur was a starter for four seasons at Humboldt State University. She was a three-year captain from 1997-99. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Exercise Science and Cardiac Rehabilitation/ Kinesiology from Humboldt State in 200. She earned a Master of Arts degree in Sports Psychology/Kinesiology from California State University-Chico in 2004.

Prior to being hired by Willamette in 2008. Arthur was the head coach at Western Nevada College, where she started a junior college program from scratch and led the team during its three seasons of existence from 2005-07. She previously was an assistant coach at Cal State-Chico for four years.

In four seasons as the head coach of the Bearcats, Arthur has achieved a combined record of 39-36-5 (.519), including 34-26-4 (.563) in NWC action. She was the Director of the Cascade Futbol Club in Salem from 2008-10.