By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- The Willamette University men's soccer team, which has gone 9-1-2 since losing the first three games of the season, is listed at #6 in this week's NCAA Division III West Region Rankings as released by the United Soccer Coaches. Willamette is 9-4-2 overall and 8-1-2 in the Northwest Conference. 

Trinity University (Texas) continued to own in the #1 spot in the West Region with a 16-1-0 mark against NCAA Division III teams. University of Redlands (Calif.) and University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (Texas) also retained their rankings. Redlands stayed at #2 with an 11-3-2 record and Mary Hardin-Baylor kept the #3 ranking with a 13-2-0 record.

University of Texas-Tyler advanced one spot to grab the #4 ranking at 8-2-2. University of Dallas (Texas) dropped one position to #5 at 11-2-2. Willamette, which was #7 a week ago, advanced one spot to #6. Colorado College jumped two spots to take the #7 ranking at 10-3-2, while California Lutheran University fell to positions to #8 at 10-3-2.

Pacific Lutheran University slipped one spot to #9 this week. The Lutes are 9-4-3 on the season. Chapman University remained at #10, also with a 9-4-3 record.

Trinity is ranked #2 in the NCAA Division III National Poll. Redlands is listed at #16 in the nation, with Mary Hardin-Baylor at #23 and Texas-Tyler at #25.

While going 8-1-2 in the NWC this season, the Bearcats have earned 26 points for first place in the conference standings. The Bearcats have a three-point lead over Pacific Lutheran, which is second in the NWC at 7-2-2 and 23 points.

The Bearcats and the Lutes will play each other in Tacoma, Washington, on Saturday, Oct. 28 in a key NWC game. Willamette will complete the weekend by playing at University of Puget Sound on Sunday, Oc.t 29. Both games will begin at 2:30 p.m. (PDT).