By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director

SALEM, Ore. -- Kelsey Walker (So., M/GK, Westerville, OH/Westerville North HS) of Willamette University has been selected as the Northwest Conference Women's Soccer Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week after helping the Beacats to wins on Saturday, Sept. 26 and Sunday, Sept. 27.

Walker, normally a midfielder, played in goal for the first time in her collegiate career on Sunday against Whitworth University due to an injury to regular starter Emily Sewall.

Against the Pirates, Walker earned a complete-game shutout and recorded six saves. She also played the position well in terms of controlling the penalty area and reading plays. The Bearcats defeated Whitworth, 1-0.

On Saturday against Whitman, Walker played in the midfield and scored the first goal in a 2-0 victory. Her defensive efforts in the midfield helped the Bearcats record the shutout. Walker has seen action in 708 of Willamette's 756 minutes played this season.

The two wins advanced Willamette's record to 3-1 in the Northwest Conference. The Bearcats will play NWC games this week at George Fox University on Oct. 3 and at Lewis & Clark College on Oct. 4. Each game will start at 12 p.m. (PDT).