By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University senior midfielder Pierce Gallaway (Carmel, CA/Carmel HS) has been selected NCAA Division III First Team All-America for the 2022 season. The Men's Soccer All-America Team was chosen by members of the United Soccer Coaches. The list included 15 players on the First Team, plus 15 players on the Second Team and 16 players on the Third Team.

Willamette earned a 14-3-3 overall record this season as the Bearcats won the Northwest Conference Championship at 11-2-1 and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division III Tournament. The Bearcats were ranked #25 in the final regular season NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Coaches Poll released by the United Soccer Coaches.

The Bearcats won or tied the first 11 games of the year (9-0-2), as they set a school record of 13 consecutive games without a loss, including the final two games in the fall of 2021. Willamette scored 53 goals, registered seven shutouts on defense (5-0-2 record), and allowed just 23 goals. WU outshot its opponents 340-155, including 161-74 in shots on goal. During the past six seasons, Willamette has registered a 66-22-14 (.716) record with a 54-15-9 (.750) mark in the NWC.

In the 2022 NCAA Tournament, the Bearcats defeated the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in the first round, 3-1. Willamette lost to #2-ranked University of Chicago, 4-1, in the second round after battling the Maroons to a 0-0 tie at halftime.

NCAA Division III First Team All-America

Pierce Gallaway (Sr., M) was named First Team All-America after receiving First Team All-Region X and First Team All-NWC honors. He was chosen NWC Offensive Player of the Year. In 2021, he was selected Third Team All-Region X and was chosen Second Team All-NWC. This year, he scored 12 goals and earned six assists for 30 total points to lead the Bearcats. He converted 5 of 5 penalty kicks. In addition, Gallaway contributed 62 total shots, including 29 shots on goal. He supplied key plays all over the field as a team leader on offense and defense.

Gallaway scored a hat-trick with three goals in a 4-2 win against the University of California, Santa Cruz, on Sept. 11. Later, he registered two goals in a 3-1 victory at Pacific University on Oct. 23. He scored the third goal in WU's 3-1 win versus UW-Platteville in the NCAA Tournament.

During his career, Gallaway played in all 64 games with 63 starts for the Bearcats. He hit the nets for 20 goals over the past four seasons to go along with 10 assists and 50 total points. He accumulated 130 shots, including 59 shots on goal. He was 7 for 7 on penalty kicks and earned five career game-winning goals.

"I can't think of anyone more deserving than Pierce for Offensive Player of the Year in the Northwest Conference, First Team All-Region, and First Team All-America," Willamette Head Men's Soccer Coach Sam Adelman said. "He has been exemplary as a Bearcat, and has set the standard for what it means to be a part of this program. Everyone will be chasing him for years to come. He's made his mark as the best men's soccer player to ever play at Willamette."