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

SALEM, ORE. -- The Willamette University women's soccer team continued to hold the #10 ranking the West Region of NCAA Division III in this week's rankings compiled by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). Willamette is 6-5-1 overall and 5-2-1 in the NWC.

Last week, the Bearcats rallied past Whitman College, 2-1, and lost to Whitworth University, 3-1, as Willamette played a pair of Northwest Conference road games. The Bearcats have returned home and will take on archrival Linfield College in another NWC game on Saturday, Oct. 15 at Sparks Field. Game time is set for 12 p.m. (PDT).

The #1 team in the West Region continues to be Trinity University (Texas). Trinity is 13-0-0 on the season. Hardin-Simmons University (Texas) remains#2 in the West with a 10-1-0 record. California Lutheran University is ranked #3 at 12-1-0.

University of Puget Sound is ranked #4 and has a 9-2-0 record, while the University of Redlands jumped from #8 up to #5 with a 7-3-1 record. University of Texas-Dallas advanced one spot up to #6 and has a 9-3-0 record. Linfield College is #7 at 8-2-2, while Pomona-Pitzer (Calif.) is #8 at 6-4-0. University of California-Santa Cruz is #9 with a 6-5-1 record and Willamette is #10 also at 6-5-1.

Willamette's top scorer is Stephanie Skelly (Sr., MF, Poulsbo, WA/North Kitsap HS) with 8 goals and 1 assist for 17 points. She has been named Northwest Conference Women's Soccer Offensive Student-Athlete of the Week each of the past two weeks. She scored both goals in Willamette's win at Whitman.

Stephanie DeSautels (Fr., F, Snohomish, WA/Glacier Peak HS) has tallied 3 goals, 1 assist and 7 total points for Willamette. Ariel Wilson (Jr., MF, Fort Collins, CO/Poudre HS) leads the Bearcats with four assists.

WU's goalkeepers have a combined 1.47 goals against average. Nicole Price (So., Auburn, WA/Thomas Jefferson HS) has achieved 56 saves. Gina Barbieri (Fr., Medford, OR/St. Mary's School) has contributed a 0.57 goals against average.