By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- The Northwest Conference men's soccer coaches have predicted a very close finish at the top of the league standings in 2018 after voting in the NWC Men's Soccer Preseason Poll. Defending co-champion Willamette is a co-favorite this season with Whitman College, both with 39 points in the poll. Last year's second co-champion, Pacific Lutheran University, is tied for third place in this year's preseason poll with Whitworth University, both at 38 points. If the closeness at the top of the poll is any indication, it should be another exciting year for the NWC.

Last season, Willamette trailed PLU by one game at the top of the NWC standings entering the final day of the regular season. The Bearcats needed three games to go their way in order to grab the NWC's automatic bid into the NCAA Division III Tournament. Willamette defeated Linfield College, 2-1, and University of Puget Sound downed Pacific Lutheran, 1-0, to clinch a tie between the Bearcats and the Lutes for first place. It was Willamette's first ever NWC Championshp in men's soccer.

Then Whitman completed the NWC schedule by slipping past Whitworth, 2-1, on a goal in the second overtime, as the Blues moved into third place. Willamette edged out PLU for the NWC's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament by winning the tie-breaker with a better record against Whitman.

Willamette lost to University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, 1-0, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in a well-played, hard-fought battle. The Bearcats finished the season with a 10-7-2 record, including 9-3-2 in the NWC.  The Bearcats received three of the eight first place votes in this year's Preseason Poll. Whitman tied Willamette for first place in the poll by receiving two first place votes. The Blues were 9-7-3 overall and 8-3-3 in 2017.

Pacific Lutheran and Whitworth tied for third place in the poll, just one point behind Willamette and Whitworth. PLU received one first place vote, while Whitworth received two first place votes. Last season, the Lutes finished 11-5-3 , including 9-3-2 in the NWC. Whitworth was 10-8-1 a year ago, while earning an 9-5-1 record in NWC action.

Fifth place in the Preseason Poll went to Puget Sound with 29 points. The Loggers were 10-6-1 in 2017, including an 8-5-1 mark in the NWC.

George Fox University placed sixth in the poll at 18 points after going 5-14-1 last season with a 3-10-1 record in NWC games. Pacific University followed in seventh place in the poll with 12 points. The Boxers were 8-9-1 during the 2017 season, while finishing 5-8-1 in the NWC. Linfield College was ninth in the poll with 11 points. The Wildcats completed last fall wth a 2-15-1 overall record and a 0-13-1 record in the NWC.

Among the top returning players for Willamette is Max Berner-Hays (So., D, Seattle, WA/Ballard HS), who was named NWC Freshman of the Year and First Team All-NWC last season. Berner-Hays led a solid Willamette defense that allowed just 19 goals in 21 games. He also led the Bearcats in scoring with six goals and one assist for 13 total points. Nicholas Ballenger (Jr., F, Salem, OR/West Salem HS), placec second for the Bearcats in scoring and was chosen Second Team All-NWC in 2017. He contributed three goals and four assists for 10 total points. Mack van der Velde (So., D, Voorhout, Neth./Summit HS, Bend, OR) was fourth in scoring iwth three goals and one assist.

Head Coach Lloyd Fobi enters his eighth season with the Bearcats. His overall record as Willamette's head coach is 63-52-5, including 48-38-9 in the NWC. Prior to tying for first place in the NWC last year, the Bearcats took second place in the conference in 2014 by finishing with a 10-2-2 record, just one point behind Whitworth for the title.

Willamette is set to open the regular season on Friday, Aug. 31 against William Jessup University (Calif.) at Sparks Field. Game time is set for 1 p.m. (PDT). One day later, on Saturday, Sept. 1, the Bearcats will host crosstown rival Corban University at Sparks Field at 7 p.m. (PDT). After the game with Corban, the Bearcats will play two games on the road before taking on Wisconsin Lutheran College on Sun., Sept. 9 at 1 p.m. Willamette also will play seven NWC games at Sparks Field this season.

2018 NWC Men's Soccer Preseason Poll (1st place votes in parentheses)
1. (tie) Willamette (3), 39 points, 10-7-2 overall, 9-3-2 in NWC in 2017
    (tie) Whitman (2), 39 points, 9-7-3 overall, 8-3-3 in NWC
3. (tie) Pacific Lutheran (1), 38 points, 11-5-3 overall, 9-3-2 in NWC
    (tie) Whitworth (2), 38 points, 10-8-1 overall, 8-5-1 in NWC
5. Puget Sound, 29 points, 10-6-1 overall, 8-5-1 in NWC
6. George Fox, 18 points, 5-14-1 overall, 3-10-1 in NWC
7. Pacific, 12 points, 8-9-1 overall, 5-8-1 in NWC
8. Linfield, 11 points, 2-15-1 overall, 0-13-1 in NWC

Note: Points were awarded on an 7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis. Coaches could not vote for their own team.