By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, Ore. -- The Willamette University women's lacrosse team is ranked eighth in the West Region of NCAA Division III this week. The Bearcats are 6-3 on the season, including 5-3 against NCAA opponents and 5-3 in the Northwest Conference.

The University of Chicago (Ill.) is the top ranked team in the West Region with a 5-0 record, 4-0 in the NCAA. Carroll College (Wis.) follows in second at 9-2 overall, 9-1 in the NCAA. Illinois Wesleyan University is third with an 8-2 record, all against NCAA opponents.

George Fox University is fourth in the West Region. The Bruins are undefeated at 10-0 and lead the NWC with a 7-0 record. The University of Wisconsin-River Falls holds the fifth place ranking at 6-2 with all eight games versus NCAA opponents.

Sixth place in the West Region belongs to Hamline College (Ind.) this week at 6-4 in the NCAA. Aurora University (Ill.) is seventh with a 4-3 mark in NCAA games.

Willamette has achieved its 6-3 record by scoring 125 goals and allowing just 94 goals. Maddie Garcia (So., MID, Encinitas, CA/San Dieguito Academy) leads the Bearcats with 32 goals, while Catie Kawamura (So., MID, San Diego, CA/San Diego International Studies) tops the team in total points with 27 goals and 13 assists for 40 points. Anabel Ohsman (Sr., ATT/MID, Snohomish, WA/Glacier Peak HS) has contributed 18 goals and 13 assists, while Analise Wilson (Fy., MID, Temecula, CA/Chaparral HS) has scored 15 times. WU has scored 13.89 goals per game.

Goalkeeper Shelby Sawyer (So., Marysville, WA/Bio Med Academy) has achieved a 10.27 goals against average, while goalie Katie Hill (So., Belmont, CA/Carmont HS) has earned a 10.85 goals against average. Sawyer has recorded 79 saves in 380 minutes. Hill has made 19 saves in 160 minutes. Willamette has limited its opponents to 10.44 goals per game.

The Bearcats will close out the season with home games against the University of Puget Sound on Saturday, May 1 and Sunday, May 2. Game time is set for 1 p.m. (PDT) each day.