By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore -- Willamette University is ranked #7 in the NCAA Division III West Region Poll for women's soccer released this week by the United Soccer Coaches. The Bearcats began the week with a 5-0-1 overall record, including a 3-0-1 mark against NCAA Division III opponents.

The #1 team in this week's list of West Region rankings was Hardin-Simmons University (Texas). HSU opened the week at 3-1-0 against NCAA Division III opponents. Ranked #2 was Trinity University (Texas) at 3-1-1.

California Lutheran University was #3 at 4-0-2, while Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (Calif.) held the #4 position at 3-2-0, including a 1-0 loss to California Lutheran last week. Pomona-Pitzer (Calif.) was #5 with a 4-1-0 record.

University of Texas-Dallas held the #6 ranking at 6-0-0. Willamette was #7 at 3-0-1 and Whitworth University was #8 at 2-1-0. University of Puget Sound followed at #9 with a 2-3-0 mark. Occidental College (Calif.) was ranked #10 at 3-0-2.

Hardin-Simmons and Trinity also earned rankings in this week's NCAA Division III National Poll. Hardin-Simmons owned the #9 national rankings, while Trinity was ranked #22.

Williams College (Mass.) was the #1 team in the country with a 4-0-0 record. Washington University (Mo.) was next at #2 with an undefeated mark of 7-0-0. University of Chicago (Ill.) owned the #3 spot at 4-0-1. Messiah College (Pa.) followed with a 5-1-0 record at #4, and William Smith College (N.Y.) was #5 at 4-1-0.

The Bearcats will host Puget Sound in a #7 versus #9 match-up in the West Region on Saturday, Sept. 22 at Sparks Field. Kickoff in the key Northwest Conference game is set for 12 p.m. (PDT). Willamette will remain at home on Sunday, Sept. 23 to battle George Fox University, also at 12 p.m.

NOTE: The NCAA Division III rankings are based only on games played within Division III.  If you choose the NCAA Division III National Poll link (above) and then click on West, you weill get to the West Region Rankings.