By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- The Willamette University men's soccer team will open the 2023 season on Friday, Sept. 8 at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. Game time is set for 8 p.m. CDT/6 p.m. PDT. Willamette is returning to action after a highly successful 2022 season in which the Bearcats won the Northwest Conference championship and reached the second round of the NCAA Division III National Tournament before losing to the University of Chicago, which went on to win the national title. Willamette concluded last season with a 14-3-3 overall record and an 11-2-1 mark in the NWC.

The Bearcats will conclude this opening weekend of 2023 by taking on the University of St. Thomas (Texas) on Sunday, Sept. 3 in a neutral-site game at Southwestern. Kickoff is slated for 11 a.m. CDT/9 a.m. PDT.

Three All-Region selections return for the Bearcats this season. They are Drew Alexander (So., D, San Mateo, CA/Junipero Serra HS), who was named First Team All-Region X, along with Second Team selection Sean Kim (Sr., F, Sunnyvale, CA/Homestead HS) and Honorable Mention pick Pierluca Carnovale (Sr., GK, Seattle, WA/Ballard HS).

Six returning players were named All-Northwest Conference in 2022 and Head Coach Sam Adelman was voted NWC Men's Soccer Coach of the Year. Returning First Team selections are Alexander, Kim, and Jett Starr (Sr., F, Portland, OR/Cleveland HS). Chosen Second Team All-NWC last year was Simon Kidder (Sr., M, Bend, OR/Summit HS), while Carnovale and Jake Oetinger (So., D, Gilroy, CA/Christopher HS) were named Honorable Mention.

Alexander provided WU with exceptional speed and talent. His strong defensive efforts allowed him to allow join the offensive attack. He finished the 2022 season with one goal and six assists. His goal was the Bearcats' second goal in a 3-1 win over the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in the NCAA Tournament.

Kim scored five goals and four assists last fall. He was credited with 42 total shots and placed 18 shots on goal. Two of his goals were game-winners. In 2021, he led WU in scoring with six goals and three assists for 15 total points. In three seasons, Kim has achieved 15 goals and nine assists (39 points).

In 2022, Carnovale earned six solo shutouts and one combined shutout. He concluded the year with a 1.17 goals against average. He had a 13-3-3 record in goal while starting 19 games and supplying the Bearcats with 49 saves. Carnovale's career stats include 3,474 minutes in 44 games (36 starts). He has a 26-7-4 record, 10 solo shutouts and seven combined shutouts.

Starr recorded eight goals and two assists last season, while playing in 19 games with 18 starts. Kidder played in all 20 games, made 16 starts, and provided one goal and one assist. He was a key midfielder for the Bearcats. Oetinger saw action in all 20 games (19 starts) and was a defensive leader. He also scored two goals and earned one assist.