By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- The men's soccer team from Willamette University will open the Northwest Conference schedule with games at Whitworth University on Saturday, Sept. 18 and at Whitman College on Sunday, Sept. 19. Both games will begin at 2:30 p.m. (PDT).

Willamette enters the weekend with a 2-1 overall record. Whitworth is 1-2-1 on the season while Whitman is 4-0.

Ryan Sato (Sr., MF, Sunnyvale, CA/Homestead HS) and Max Berner-Hays (Sr., D, Seattle, WA/Ballard HS) are tied for the team's scoring lead with one goal and one assist for three points. Sato registered his goal in a 2-1 win over Southwestern University (Texas) on Sept. 3, and earned an assist in WU's 2-1 victory over Occidental College (Calif.) on Sept. 6. Berner-Hays recorded a goal and an assist against Occidental.

Ardem Baronian (Jr., M/F, Los Altos, CA/St. Francis HS) and Mack van der Velde (Sr., D, Voorhout, Neth./Summit HS, Bend, OR) have score one goal for Willamette this year.

Goalkeeper Pierluca Carnovale (So., GK, Seattle, WA/Ballard HS) has registered 12 saves and a 2.09 goals against average in 172 minutes played. Anthony Richard-Bassett (Sr., GK, Salem, OR/South Salem HS) has played 98 minutes in the nets and has not allowed a goal while making three saves.

Two Bearcats were honored as the NWC Men's Soccer Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week during the first two weeks of the season. Berner-Hays received the award on Sept. 7 and Pierluca Carnovale was chosen for the honor on Sept. 13.