SALEM, ORE. -- Alfredo Zuniga (Salem, OR/South Salem HS), a junior goalkeeper for Willamette University, has been named Northwest Conference Men's Soccer Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week for his contributions to the Bearcats' 2-0-1 start during the week ending Sept. 5. Zuniga saw action in two of the three games and recorded a win and a tie.
In the season opener against Corban University on Sept. 1, Zuniga entered the match after goalkeeper Eben Hellekson (Sr., Honolulu, HI/University Laboratory School) received a red card for a foul near the top of the penalty area. Zuniga made a solid save on the ensuing penalty kick to preserve an early 1-0 lead.
Corban battled back to tie the game in the 53rd minute, but the Bearcats prevented the Warriors from taking the lead. WU achieved a well-deserved tie after playing shorthanded for 89 of the 110 minutes in the double-overtime game. In addition to saving the penalty kick, Zuniga earned one more save and kept Willamette's defense organized to clear out crossing passes throughout the contest.
Two days later, Zuniga recorded his first career shutout by making nine saves in Willamettes 2-0 win over Colorado College on Sept. 3. So far this season, Zuniga has earned a 0.50 goals against average.
The Bearcats will return to action on Friday, Sept. 10 at the University of Redlands in Redlands, Calif. Game time is set for 7 p.m. (PDT).
Alfredo Zuniga saved a penalty kick against Corban on Sept. 1 and earned his first career shutout against Colorado College two days later.
