By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University goalkeeper Marco Gonzalez-Yanez (Jr., Portland, OR/Central Catholic HS/U. of Portland) has been selected as the Northwest Conference Men's Soccer Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week for his efforts in games played on Saturday, Sept. 16 and Sunday, Sept. 17. Gonzalez-Yanez helped the Bearcats defeat University of Puget Sound, 1-0, on Saturday and down Pacific Lutheran University, 2-1, on Sunday. The wins allowed Willamette to start NWC action at 2-0, while improving to 3-3 on the season.

Gonzalez-Yanez earned a total of 16 saves during the two games. He made seven saves against Puget Sound and added nine saves against Pacific Lutheran. In the win over PLU, he saved a penalty kick in the second half with the score still 0-0. Both games were played at Sparks Field and were part of Homecoming/Alumni Weekend on the Willamette campus

During the week, Gonzalez-Yanez was credited with a 0.50 goals against average, but the only goal he allowed was an own goal scored after a pair of deflections. On the play, a cross was sent into the box and then ricocheted off one player before bouncing off a defender and into the net. Gonzalez-Yanez recorded an outstanding .941 save percentage during the week.

The Bearcats will be back in action on Friday, Sept. 22 when they will take on NWC opponent Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. (PDT). Willamette will host George Fox University in an NWC game at Sparks Field on Sunday, Sept. 24. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. (PDT).