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

SALEM, ORE. -- The Willamette University women's soccer team is ranked #10 in the West Region of NCAA Division III again this week in rankings released by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). Willamette is 7-6-1 overall, including 6-3-1 in the Northwest Conference.

Last week, Willamette lost to Linfield College, 1-0, in overtime and shut out Lewis & Clark, 3-0. Linfield leads the NWC with an 8-1-2 record (18 points) and is ranked #$ in the West Region.

Stephanie Skelly (Sr., MF, Poulsbo, WA/North Kitsap HS) scored two goals against L&C to lead the Bearcats to the win. Skelly is WU's leading scorer with 10 goals and 1 assist.

The #1 team in the West Region remains Trinity University (Texas). Trinity is undefeated at 14-0-0 on the season. Hardin-Simmons University (Texas) is ranked #2 with a 12-1-0 record. California Lutheran University is #3 at 15-1-0.

Linfield moved up three spots from #7 to #4. The Wildcats are 11-2-2 overall. University of Puget Sound, 9-2-2, dropped one spot to #5 after tying both Whitman College and and Whitworth University last week. University of Redlands, now 8-4-1, also slipped one position and is now #6 in the West.

University of Texas-Dallas moved down one slot to #7 with an 11-3-0 record. Pomona-Pitzer (Calif.) remained #8 and used to wins to improve to 8-4-1. Whitworth, 6-4-3 overall and 6-2-3 in the NWC, jumped into the rankings at #9. Willamette kept the #10 position for the third consecutive week.

Willamette will play a pair of Northwest Conference games at home this weekend. The Bearcats will face Pacific Lutheran University at Sparks Field on Saturday, Oct. 22, starting at 12 p.m. (PDT). WU will host Puget Sound on Sunday, Oct. 23, with kickoff slated for 12 p.m.