By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Prior to defeating Lewis & Clark College 3-1 last Wednesday (Sept. 27) and earning a shutout win at Pacific University on Saturday (Sept. 30), the Willamette University women's soccer team was ranked #10 in the West Region of NCAA Division III according to rankings released by United Soccer Coaches (formerly National Soccer Coaches Association of America) on Sept. 26.

Willamette was 3-2-1 in games against NCAA Division III opponents this season before the Bearcats added their victories over L&C and Pacific.

The top ranked team in the West Region in last week's poll was Hardin-Simmons University (Texas) with a 7-0-0 record against DIII opponents. Trinity University (Texas) was #2 with a 7-1-0 record, while Pacific Lutheran University was #3 at 6-1-0.

University of Texas-Dallas, who the Bearcats defeated 2-1 in overtime on Sept. 10 in Richardson, Texas, was listed at #4 with a 7-1-0 record. University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (Texas) followed at #5 with a 6-1-1 mark, and California Lutheran University was #6 at 5-1-1.

Ranked #7 was University of La Verne (Calif.) with a 4-0-2 record. Whitworth University was #8 at 4-2-0, and Pomona-Pitzer (Calif.) was #9 with a 4-3-1 record.

The Bearcats are now 7-2-1 overall, 5-2-1 against NCAA Division III teams, and 4-2-0 in the Northwest Conference. Willamette will play its next game on Saturday, Oct. 7 at University of Puget Sound. Game time is set for 12 p.m. (PDT) in Tacoma, Washington.