By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Shea Richardson-Pepper (Jr., DEF/MID, San Diego, CA/Scripps Ranch HS) has been selected as the Northwest Conference Women's Lacrosse Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week for her efforts in wins over Whitman College on April 6 and Whitworth University on April 7. Willamette played both games at Sparks Field, with the Bearcats routing Whitman, 19-3, and defeating Whitworth, 14-11.

During both games, Richardson-Pepper contributed strong defensive play. She guarded well throughout the Whitman game and also earned a ground ball and scored one goal versus the Blues. Against Whitworth, she continued to play great defense, while earning four ground balls, one draw control, and four caused turnovers. Richardson-Pepper scored five goals and one assist against the Pirates.

For the season, she leads Willamette with 30 ground balls, is second on the team with 12 caused turnovers, and ranks third with 33 draw controls. On offense, she has produced 21 goals and five assists.

In three years with the Bearcats, Richardson-Pepper has accumulated 154 draw controls to go along with 99 ground balls, and 43 caused turnovers. She has scored 43 career goals while supplying 12 assists.

Willamette is 8-2 on the season and 5-1 in the NWC. The Bearcats will play the University of Puget Sound at Sparks Field on the Willamette campus on Wednesday, April 10. Game time is set for 4 p.m. PDT.