By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Max Berner-Hays (So., D, Seattle, WA/Ballard HS) of Willamette University has been named Northwest Conference Men's Soccer Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week for his efforts in two wins by the Bearcats this past weekend in Tacoma, Washington. Berner-Hays contributed to a 3-1 victory over Pacific Lutheran University on Saturday, Sept. 15, and then helped he Bearcats shut out University of Puget Sound, 2-0, on Saturday, Sept. 16.

The Bearcats improved to 5-1-1 on the season and 2-0 in the NWC. The game against Pacific Lutheran was battle of last year's NWC Co-Champions. In 2017, the Bearcats and Lutes each went 9-3-2 in the NWC to tie for the conference title. It was Willamette's first conference championship in men's soccer. The Bearcats owned the tie-breaker to receive the NWC's automatic bid into the NCAA Division III Tournament.

In Saturday's rematch, Berner-Hays and the rest of the WU defense limited the Lutes to eight total shots, including just two shots on goal. Against Puget Sound, Berner-Hays scored the game's first goal at 27:21 on an assist from Yuta Suga (So., M, Urawa, Japan/RKU). On defense, Berner-Hays helped the Bearcats hold the Loggers to six total shots and five shots on goal.

For the season, Willamettte has achieved a 1.09 team goals against average and two shutouts. Berner-Hays leads the Bearcats with 619 minutes played and is second on the team in scoring with nine points on three goals and three assists.

Willamette will host George Fox University in an NWC game at Sparks Field on Saturday, Sept. 22. Game time is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. (PDT).