By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director

SALEM, Ore. -- Sebastian Mortimer (Sr., D/M, Moscow, ID/Moscow HS) of Willamette University has been chosen as the Northwest Conference Men's Soccer Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week for his efforts during three home games in four days from Sept. 3 through Sept. 6. Willamette went 1-1-1 as the Bearcats started the season.

Mortimer played all 290 minutes and led Willamette's back line, as the Bearcats allowed a total of just two goals in the three games. WU lost to University of La Verne 2-1 on Thursday, Sept. 3, defeated Southwestern University (Texas) 1-0 on Saturday, Sept. 5, and tied University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh 0-0 in two overtimes on Sunday, Sept. 6. Mortimer was the only Bearcat to play every minute of all three games.

In addition providing leadership on defense, Mortimer also scored the game's only goal in Willamette's win over Southwestern. He scored at 14:35 on a short header against the Pirates.

Mortimer was a key player for the WU defense in the Bearcats' tie against defending Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Tournament champion Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Willamette shut out UWO's high-powered offense that scored 44 goals in 21 games in a year ago.

The Bearcats will remain at home for two games this weekend as the team's season-opening, seven-game homestand continues. Willamette will take on University of California, Santa Cruz on Friday, Sept. 11 at Sparks Field, starting at 7 p.m. (PDT). WU will battle Evergreen State College (Wash.) on Saturday, Sept. 12, also at 7 p.m.