BOX SCORE

Willamette finished the season at 11-13 overall and 8-8 in the Northwest Conference. With the win, the Bearcats secured outright possession of fifth place in the NWC standings. WU won six of its final eight matches. George Fox fell to 17-7 overall, 10-6 in the NWC.

Molly Blankenship (Jr., OH, Priest River, ID/Lamanna HS/Spokane Falls CC) of Willamette led all players with 16 kills. She also registered 12 digs and had three service aces. Willamette earned nine aces overall.

Madisyn Leenstra (Fr., MH, Bellingham, WA/Sehome HS) added seven kills and a .500 hitting percentage for the Bearcats. Julie Stutzman (Sr., MH, Olympia, WA/Olympia HS) provided seven kills and hit .312. Setter Brigit Miller (Fr., Olympia, WA/Olympia HS) supplied 41 assists, while Annika Moffett (So., OPP, Portland, OR/Lincoln HS) achieved 12 digs.

George Fox was led by Lyndsay Hovee and Jennifer Panico, each with six kills. Panico also contributed 13 digs. Kaitlyn Maddams topped all servers with five aces. Sarah Crossfield achieved five total blocks.

Willamette surged out to a 13-8 lead to start the opening set. The Bearcats also led 16-13, before extending their lead to 20-13 on four consecutive kills. Stutzman pounded out the first kill, with McGraw earning the next two and Moffett completing the 4-0 run. The Bearcats won the set, 25-18.

GFU scored three of the first four points in set #2 and later held a 16-12 lead. The Bearcats rallied with a 4-0 run to tie the set. WU eventually took an 18-17 lead on an attacking error by the Bruins. The advantage reached 20-17 before a 5-2 run by George Fox created another tie at 22-22.

An attacking error by the Bruins moved Willamette in front, but a kill by Panico tied the score again. Blankenship and Stutzman combined to block an attack by Hovee, giving WU a 24-23 edge. The Bearcats received the final point of the set on a GFU attacking error.

WU never trailed in the third set and owned a 7-3 lead after 10 points. Although the Bruins never pulled into the lead, they moved within a single point at 13-12 and 14-13.

The 'Cats went on a 8-2 run to take command with a 22-15 advantage. Willamette's run included three kills from Blankenship and two supplied by Stutzman. WU went on to win the set, 25-18.

Willamette achieved a .282 team hitting percentage, with a .500 percentage in the third set. The Bearcats achieved 49 kills overall, including 20 in the first set and 17 in the third. Meanwhile, George Fox hit .135 and had just 28 kills. The Bruins earned 10.0 team total blocks.

Prior to the match, Willamette honored its two seniors -- McGraw and Stutzman. McGraw finished her career with 777 kills, 809 digs and 103 blocks. Stutzman achieved 615 kills, 93 service aces and 154 blocks.

For More Information:
Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

BOX SCORE

Schoettgen scored on a 3-yard catch in the first quarter, on two 6-yard catches in the second quarter and on a 34-yard catch in the third quarter. The four touchdowns tied a Bearcat pass receiving record. Willamette led 43-0 before the Loggers scored with 9:29 left in the game.

The Bearcats opened the scoring with Schoettgen's first touchdown catch at the 6:41 mark of the first quarter. Willamette took over following a punt at its own 30-yard line and kept the ball for 13 plays before quarterback Brian Widing (Fr., Oregon City, OR/Canby Union HS) hit Schoettgen in the end zone on 1st-and-Goal at the 3-yard line.

Schoettgen hauled in four passes for 38 yards during the drive. Mitchell Rowan (So., PK/P, Cotati, CA/Rancho Cotate HS) kicked the extra point for a 7-0 lead.

On its next possession, Willamette drove 64 yards on nine plays. Jamiere Abney (So., TB, Bremerton, WA/Bremerton HS) scored on a 3-yard run with 49 seconds left in the quarter. Abney also had a 20-yard run earlier in the drive. WU led 14-0 entering the second quarter.

Kevin Ramay (Fr., QB, Simi Valley, CA/Grace Brethren HS) threw a pair of 6-yard touchdown strikes to Schoettgen in the second period. The first score came on 4th-and-Goal at the UPS 2-yard line and completed an 8-play, 62-yard drive with 4:28 left in the half. The second touchdown ended a 9-play, 58-yard drive in the final two minutes of the half.

WU used 1:12 off the clock and scored with 32 seconds remaining. Ramay was involved in all nine plays -- two runs and seven passes -- during the drive. Key passes were a 21-yarder to Mikey Lemon (Jr., FL, McMinnville, OR/McMinnville HS/Linfield College) and a 20-yarder to Jose Green (Jr., TB, Downey, CA/Warren HS).

The Bearcats gained 315 yards in the first half. Widing and Ramay combined to complete 16 of 22 passes during the half for 230 yards.

In the third quarter, Willamette extended its lead to 37-0. Rowan kicked a 27-yard field goal on the first drive of the second half. Schoettgen added his fourth touchdown of the game on a 34-yard catch with 4:11 left in the period. The extra point failed.

Jake Turner (Fr., FL, Ontario, OR/Ontario HS) scored for the Bearcats on an 8-yard run early in the fourth quarter to complete an 11-play drive that covered 70 yards. Puget Sound recorded its only points on the ensuing possession, with Spencer Crace tossing a 10-yard touchdown pass to Tim Fogarty. The extra point kick failed, leaving WU in front, 43-6.

The game's final touchdown was scored by Green on a 2-yard run with 4:04 remaining. Green also opened the 10-play drive with a 29-yard run from the WU 22 to the UPS 49. Rowan kicked the extra point.

Willamette passed for a season-high 333 yards. Ramay was 10 of 15 for 196 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Widing went 11 of 16 for 137 yards and one score.

The Bearcats also gained 219 rushing yards on 49 carries. Abney led the way with 13 rushes for 61 yards. Green tacked on 47 yards on just three carries. Willamette earned 31 first downs and did not punt during the game.

UPS was limited to 5 of 22 passing for 26 yards. Crace was 5 of 18. Ross Zuhl caught three passes for 10 yards.

The Loggers achieved 99 rushing yards on 29 carries (3.4 avg.). Casey Larson ran 12 times for 43 yards, while Kavin Williams carried the ball four times for 32 yards. UPS recorded six first downs.

Andrew Ross (Sr., ILB, Petaluma, CA/Petaluma HS) topped the Willamette defensive chart with six total tackles, including five solo stops. Ralph Pineda (Jr., ILB, Los Angeles, CA/Cathedral HS/San Jose State Univ.) provided the 'Cats with five tackles. Tyler Vlasak contributed 10 tackles (8 solo) for Puget Sound.

Willamette will close out the regular season on Saturday, Nov. 14 at Menlo College. Kickoff in Atherton, Calif., is set for 12 p.m. (PST).

For More Information:
Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

BOX SCORE

The Bearcats ended the season at 6-13 overall, 5-9 in the Northwest Conference. Linfield fell to 5-13-1 overall, 4-10 in the NWC.

Willamette finished the year in sole possession of fifth place in the NWC standings with 15 points (3 for a win, 1 for a tie). Linfield concluded the season in sixth place with 12 points. The Bearcats and the Wildcats began the day tied for fifth.

Kaufman opened the scoring with an unassisted goal 14:45 into the game, as he sent a shot from 16 yards into the lower left corner of the goal. The shot occurred after a lengthy pass from Patrick Yagi (Fr., D, Sammamish, WA/Eastlake HS) near midfield went off a defender in the Linfield penalty area and found its way to Kaufman.

Linfield goalkeeper John Thompson kept the Wildcats in the game with six saves in the first half and two more saves before the end of regulation. He made several outstanding saves.

The Wildcats tied the score at 77:02 on a goal by Nick Powers. Powers shot from 24 yards on the right side of the field, blasting the ball into the left side of the net.

WU goalie Eben Hellekson (Jr., Honolulu, HI/University Laboratory School) earned just one save in the first half, but registered four in the second half, including a couple of key stops.

The quality goalkeeping continued during the overtime period. Hellekson sent a header by Kurtis Wong of Linfield over the net 3:57 into overtime. He also made a diving save to push the ball past the goal on a blast by Travis Isaacs from the left side with 1:41 left in the extra session. The shot was targeted for the upper right corner.

Thompson also prevented a quality shot from going into the net, when he recorded a save on an 18-yard effort by Tim Ikehara-Martin (Fr., MF, Vancouver, WA/Heritage HS) with 29 seconds left in overtime. Ikehara-Martin's shot looked like a potential game-winner, as it was on its way toward the upper left corner before Thompson snagged the ball.

Willamette stopped Linfield's ensuing attack before the Wildcats reached the final third of the field. The Bearcats then headed upfield with the game's final offensive surge.

Luke Lagattuta (Sr., MF/D, Albuquerque, NM/Highland HS) eventually had possession near the left sideline about 23 yards out. He sent the ball forward to Etienne Galbreath (Fr., F/D, Portland, OR/Grant HS), who reached it just before it went over the end line.

Galbreath sent the ball to Kaufman, who shot from five yards out near the left post. The ball crossed the goal line near the right post.

Kaufman scored in each of WU's final three games of the season. He finished the year as the Bearcats' leading scorer with nine goals and two assists for 20 total points. He has scored 15 goals in his two years at Willamette.

Hellekson finished with six saves in recording the win for the Bearcats. Thompson earned a total of nine saves for Linfield.

The Wildcats outshot Willamette 18-16 overall, but the Bearcats claimed an 11-8 edge in shots on goal. Kaufman led all players with six shots, including a game-high four shots on goal.

For More Information:
Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

COMPLETE RESULTS

Both of the UPS teams improved to 2-1 overall, 2-0 in the NWC. Willamette's women are 1-1 overall, 1-1 in the NWC. The Bearcat men are 0-2 on the season, 0-2 in the NWC.

Matt Tanigawa (Sr., Kailua, HI/Hawaii Baptist Academy) competed well for the Bearcat men. Tanigawa finished in second place in the 200-meter individual medley with a time of 2:32.72. In the 200-meter freestyle, Tanigawa finished second with a time of 2:10.82.

Kevin Tangeman (Sr., Sherwood, OR/Sherwood HS) finished second in the 800-meter freestyle. His time was 10:35.49. Tangeman also finished second in the 100 meter butterfly with a time of 1:09.19.

On the women's side, the Bearcats started out the meet strong with a victory in the first event, the 400-meter medley relay. Gwen Schulze (Sr., Silverdale, WA/Austin College), Kara Koetje (So., Arlington, WA/Stanwood HS), Janelle Higashida (So., Kaneohe, HI/Hawaii Baptist Academy) and Lauren Ballinger (Fr., Wenatchee, WA/Wenatchee HS) combined efforts to compete the relay in 4:55.28.

Ballinger claimed another victory for the Bearcats in the 50-meter freestyle as she swam a 29.38. She also finished second the 100-meter freestyle with a time of 1:04.45.

Schulze swam her way to a second place finish in the 200-meter backstroke. She touched the wall with a time of 2:37.12. Schulze also captured second place in the 200-meter individual medley. Her time was 2:40.40.

The Bearcats are back in action on Nov. 20-21 at the Northwest Invitational in Portland, Ore. Events are scheduled to take place throughout each day.

For More Information:
Sara Brooks, Assistant Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6219

BOX SCORE

Pacific ended the season with a 7-10-3 record, 6-8-2 in the NWC, while Willamette finished at 9-9-2 overall, 8-7-1 in the NWC.

The Bearcats took third place in the final NWC standings with 25 points (3 for each win, 1 for each tie). Pacific finished in sixth place with 20 points.

Emily Wigington (Sr., D, Boulder, CO/Boulder HS) scored for Willamette at 71:21 on a shot from 20 yards out. It was Wigington's second goal of the season. Pacific forced overtime when Lauren Kanda scored unassisted on a 5-yard shot from the right side at 80:22.

The start of the second half was delayed due to the weather. Lightning and the threat of thunderstorms kept both teams off the field for 50 minutes.

Kelli Gano (Jr., GK, Portland, OR/Cleveland HS) recorded five saves in goal for the Bearcats in the first half. Jill Schneeman (So., GK, Burien, WA/Mount Rainier HS) recorded one save in the second half. Pacific goalkeeper Brittany Hartmann achieved nine saves en route to the victory.

The game featured plenty of offensive chances. Willamette outshot Pacific 20-19 overall. The Bearcats placed 10 shots on goal and the Boxers earned eight shots on goal.

For More Information:
Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

BOX SCORE

PLU upped its record to 19-6 overall, 15-0 in the NWC. Willamette's three-match winning streak came to an end, as the Bearcats moved to 10-13 overall, 7-8 in the NWC.

Senior outside hitter Jessie McGraw (Gaston, OR/Yamhill-Carlton HS/Corban College) led Willamette with 20 kills, a .340 hitting percentage and 21 digs. Brigit Miller (Fr., Se, Olympia, WA/Olympia HS) added 47 assists and 16 digs.

Kelcy Joynt topped Pacific Lutheran with a match-high 28 kills to go with 19 digs and four block assists. She was the Lutes' most consistent attacker during Friday's match. Her efforts helped PLU, which played without two-time NWC Player of the Year Beth Hanna, who suffered a season-ending knee injury against Whitworth University last weekend.

The Bearcats won the first and third sets, and executed well in both of those stanza. WU hit .387 in the opening set and earned a .361 attack percentage in the third set.

Willamette held a slim 9-8 lead after 17 points in the first set, but won four consecutive rallies for a 13-8 advantage. The 'Cats also won seven of the next 11 points to extend the margin to 20-12.

After WU took a 23-14 lead, PLU put together a 4-0 run. The Bearcats responded by taking two of the next three points on kills by Madisyn Leenstra (Fr., OH, Bellingham, WA/Sehome HS) and McGraw to win the set, 25-19.

PLU surged out to a 6-0 lead in the second set and also led 10-3. Later, WU trailed 19-9 after Joynt registered back-to-back kills. The Lutes went on to claim a 25-14 victory.

McGraw was solid in set #3, as she recorded six kills and no errors, while earning a .500 hitting percentage. Her kill with the score tied 8-8 moved Willamette into the lead and the Bearcats stayed in front the rest of the way. Miller achieved 12 assists and the WU attack earned 14 kills and just one attacking error during the set.

The Bearcats held a 12-10 advantage, then went on a 8-4 run to claim a 20-14 edge. Five Bearcats provided at least one kill during the run. WU won the set 25-20, with a kill by McGraw providing the final point.

A good portion of the fourth set as close and there were eight ties between 5-5 and 15-15. The Lutes pulled in front on a kill from Kelsie Moore to start a 3-0 run. PLU eventually increased the lead to five points at 21-16.

WU rallied with a 7-3 run of its own, and the Bearcats pulled within 24-23 on a kill by McGraw. The 'Cats were unable to tie the score, however, as Joynt recorded a kill for the last point of the set.

The Lutes were in front 3-1 and 4-2 early in the fifth set. Willamette tied the score at 4-4 on a PLU attacking error, before gaining the lead on a kill be Leenstra. Three rallies later, the score was tied again at 6-6.

Pacific Lutheran went on a 5-1 run, including two serving errors by the Bearcats, to take an 11-7 advantage. Julie Stutzman (Sr., MH, Olympia, WA/Olympia HS) stopped the run with a kill for WU, but two kills by Joynt gave the Lutes a 13-8 lead.

An attacking error by PLU resulted in Willamette winning the next point. The Lutes countered with a kill from Joynt, then Moore added a kill for the final point of the match. PLU won the set, 15-9.

Willamette will close out the season on Saturday, Nov. 7 with a home match against George Fox University. Match time is set for 7 p.m. (PST) at Cone Field House. The Bearcats will honors McGraw and Stutzman, the team's two seniors, prior to the match.

For More Information:
Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

COMPLETE RESULTS

In the men's competition, Lewis & Clark defeated the Bearcats, 144-56. L&C is 1-0 overall and 1-0 in the NWC. Willamette fell to 0-1 overall, 0-1 in the conference.

Hanna Connett (Jr., Pullman, WA/Pullman HS) led the Willamette women's team, as she won two events and finished second in another. She was stellar in the distance events, winning the 1,000-yard freestyle in 11:40.25 and taking first in the 500-yard freestyle in 5:45.26.

In both races, Connett started a 1-2 finish for the Bearcats, with Jenna Larrow (Sr., Boise, ID/Timberline HS) taking second place each time. Larrow completed the 1,000 free in 11:45.59 and swam the 500 free in 5:47.28.

Connett claimed second place in the 100-yard breaststroke. WU teammate Janelle Higashida (So., Kaneohe, HI/Hawaii Baptist Academy) won the event with a time of 1:14.75. Connett finished the race in 1:17.74.

Gwen Schulze (Sr., Silverdale, WA/Central Kitsap/Austin College) also won two events for the WU women's team. She took first place in the 100-yard butterfly after clocking in at 1:02.83. She also prevailed in the 100-yard backstroke, as her time of 1:05.06 allowed her to edge out Cat Menkel-Lawrence of L&C, who finished in 1:05.28.

Also for the Bearcats, Lauren Ballinger (Fr., Wenatchee, WA/Wenatchee HS) won the 200-yard freestyle. She recorded a time of 2:06.49.

Rachael Cazden achieved first place finishes for L&C in the sprints. She was victorious in the 50-yard freestyle in 25.68 seconds and won the 100-yard freestyle in 55.13 seconds. Menkel-Lawrence placed first for L&C in the 200-yard individual medley with a time of 2:20.32.

The Pioneers also won both of the women's relay events. The 200-yard medley relay was very close, with L&C clocking in at 1:58.97 and WU following just 0.25 seconds later at 1:59.22. Swimming for WU were Schulze, Higashida, Kara Koetje (So., Arlington, WA/Stanwood HS) and Ballinger.

Senior Matt Tanigawa (Kailua, HI/Hawaii Baptist Academy) was Willamette's only first place finisher in the men's events. He won the 200-yard individual medley at 2:10.02. He also finished second in the 100-yard butterfly, as his time of 1:01.25 was 0.77 seconds behind Steven Carreno of L&C, who took first in 1:00.48.

Carreno was one of three Pioneer men to win two events. In addition to the 100 fly, he won the 200-yard freestyle in 1:58.11.

Josh Spegman of L&C won the 500-yard freestyle in 5:24.44 and the 1,000-yard freestyle in 11:03.43. Isaac Ekblad prevailed in the 50-yard freestyle in 23.17 seconds and the 100-yard freestyle in 52.51 seconds.

Ekblad's triumph in the 50 free was part of a close finish by three swimmers. Ekblad won by just 0.04, as Michael McGeehan (So., Moscow, ID/Moscow HS) of Willamette took second place at 23.21 seconds. Shuichi Matsumoto of L&C placed third in 23.34 seconds.

Lewis & Clark won the men's relay races. The Pioneers clocked in at 1:44.52 in the 200-yard medley relay and registered a time of 1:40.15 in the 200-yard freestyle relay.

Willamette will travel to Tacoma, Wash., on Saturday, Nov. 7 to take on the University of Puget Sound in another NWC match-up. The action is set to begin at 1 p.m. (PST).

For More Information:
Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

BOX SCORE

Senior Beth Tatlock (MF, Denver, CO/St. Mary's Academy) had a game to remember in her last contest at Sparks Field. She scored two goals for WU and tallied one assist.

Her first goal came 6:25 into the first half on a shot from 24 yards out. Her shot found the upper left corner and gave the Bearcats a 1-0 lead. She was assisted by Andrea Rowan (Fr., MF, Boise, ID/Timberline HS).

Tatlock found the back of the net again just fourteen minutes later on a shot from 20 yards out. Her second goal was unassisted and gave WU a 2-0 lead. Tatlock's goals were her first two of the season.

Willamette went ahead 3-0 when Kimber Mattox (So., MF, Bend, OR/Bend HS) scored off an assist from Tatlock at 68:37. Mattox's first goal of the season was from 10 yards out.

The Lutes scored their only goal of the game on a header from six yards out. Mimi Granlund scored the goal and was assisted by Courtney Walker at 75:47

Willamette took 14 shots in the game, compared to Pacific Lutheran's three. The Bearcats achieved three corner kicks. Pacific Lutheran did not attempt a corner kick during the game.

The Bearcats close out the season at Pacific University on Saturday, Nov. 7. Game time is set for 11 a.m. (PST). WU can lock up sole possession of third place in the Northwest Conference with a win at Pacific. WU defeated Pacific, 2-1, earlier this season at Sparks Field.

For More Information:
Sara Brooks, Assistant Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6219

2009 ESPN The Magazine
Academic All-District VIII

Wigington has started all 18 games for the Bearcats this season. She is working toward a double-major in History and Spanish. She entered the fall semester with a 3.68 cumulative grade point average.

During her Willamette career, Wigington has seen action in 42 games with 35 starts. She did not play as a freshman, but has been a member of the team the past three seasons. She has provided the Bearcats with solid defense efforts and has gone forward on occasion to contribute to the attack.

Wigington scored her first career goal earlier this season against Pacific Lutheran University on Oct. 11. It was the game-winning goal in Willamette's 2-0 victory over the Lutes.

Over the past two seasons, she has taken 13 total shots. Seven of her attempts have been shots on goal.

The Bearcats are 8-8-2 on the season, including 7-6-1 in the Northwest Conference. Willamette will host Pacific Lutheran on Friday, Nov. 6. Kickoff at Sparks Field is set for 11 a.m. (PST).

The 'Cats will conclude the season at Pacific University on Saturday, Nov. 7. The game will be played in Forest Grove, Ore. It is scheduled to get underway at 11 a.m.

CoSIDA District VIII includes colleges and universities in the western United States. Players nominated for the CoSIDA Academic All-District Team were starters or key reserves with cumulative GPAs of 3.3 or higher (4.0 scale). Each athlete was at her current college or university for at least one academic year.

The College Division includes athletes in NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and the NAIA. Willamette is a member of NCAA Division III and competes in the Northwest Conference.

For More Information:
Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

It was the seventh time McGuirk has been named NWC Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year. He previously received the honor in 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007.

The Bearcat men's team won its eighth NWC title in the past nine years (2001-07, 2009). It was Willamette's 19th NWC title in men's cross country since 1963.

Willamette claimed this year's championship with a team score of 32. WU's top five finishers concluded the 8-kilometer race by placing 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 8th and 15th in the individual results. Bearcat runners also took 16th and 17th.

The Bearcat men's team is ranked #12 in the NCAA Division III National Poll released on Nov. 4 by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). Willamette will compete at the NCAA West Regional on Saturday, Nov. 14 at Prado Park in Claremont, Calif.

For More Information:
Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

WU's men also are ranked #1 in the West Region. The Willamette women's team is ranked #8 in the West Region.

USTFCCCA Men's Cross Country National Poll

Willamette won the NWC title with a team score of 32 on the strength of top five results of 2-3-4-8-15. Whitworth University, which took second place at the NWC Meet with a score of 71, fell from #27 in the national poll a week ago to #34 this week.

Other West Region teams listed in the men's national rankings are Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (Calif.) and Pomona-Pitzer (Calif.). Claremont-Mudd-Scripps is ranked #21 and Pomona-Pitzer is ranked #33.

The #1 team in the nation remained North Central College (Illinois) with 280 points in the poll. The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse moved up one spot to #2 with 270 points.

Geneseo State (N.Y.) also advanced one spot to #3 with 266 points, while Cortland State (N.Y.) fell two positions from #2 to #4 with 255 points. Rounding out the top 5 was the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point with 246 points.

In the West Region, Willamette's men held the top ranking, with Claremont-Mudd-Scripps ranked #2 and Pomona-Pitzer ranked #3. Whitworth was #4 and Colorado College was #5.

The women's rankings in the West Region were led by Whitworth. Whitman College was #2 and Occidental College (Calif.) was #3. Pomona-Pitzer was ranked #4 and Linfield College was ranked #5.

Willamette will compete at the NCAA Division III West Regional on Saturday, Nov. 14. The Regional will be held at Prado Park in Claremont, Calif.

The top two men's teams and the top two women's teams at the Regional will receive automatic bids to the NCAA National Championships, set for Nov. 21 in Cleveland, Ohio. The third through fifth place teams in each race will be eligible for at-large berths to the National Championships.

For More Information:
Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

BOX SCORE

Boise State is a member of NCAA Division I. Willamette competes in NCAA Division III.

The Bearcats were led by Marcus Holmes (Jr., G, Seattle, WA/Garfield HS) with 28 points. Holmes hit 9 of 13 field goals, including 4 of 8 three-pointers. He was 6 for 7 at the free throw line. He also earned three rebounds, three assists and three steals.

Ryan Meehan (So., Wing, Beaverton, OR/Beaverton HS/MSU-Billings) scored 15 points for the Bearcats. Meehan hauled down a team-high five rebounds. Robbie Kunke (Jr., Wing, Clackamas, OR/Clackamas HS) finished with 10 points and three rebounds.

La'Shard Anderson and Robert Arnold each scored 14 points to pace the Broncos. Both players also connected on 6 of 10 field goal attempts. In addition, Arnold contributed three boards, two assists and three steals.

Daequon Montreal provided BSU with 13 points and grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds. He hit 6 of 8 field goals on offense and blocked four shots on defense.

The Broncos made just 6 of 27 three-pointers (22.2%), but sank 41 of 63 shots from inside the arc (65.1%) and claimed a 62-31 rebounding edge. Willamette shot 33.3% overall (21 of 63), including 10 of 27 three-pointers (37.0%). WU connected on 7 of 16 three-pointers (43.8%) in the second half.

At the free throw line, the 'Cats were 20 of 27 for 74.1%. The Broncos sank 11 of 18 free throws (61.1%)

Cameron Mitchell (Sr., Post, Portland, OR/Grant HS/Univ. of Redlands), Willamette's leading scorer and rebounder last season, did not play against BSU due to injury. In 2008-09, Mitchell averaged 16.7 points and 11.8 rebounds per game.

Willamette will open the season on Friday, Nov. 20 with a home game against Menlo College. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. (PST). The Bearcats will remain at home on Saturday, Nov. 21, when they will host Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, also at 7 p.m.

For More Information:
Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

AFCA COACHES POLL

After having an off week to end the month of October, the Bearcats will return to action this weekend. Willamette will travel to Tacoma, Wash., to play the University of Puget Sound in NWC action. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. (PST).

There will be a Live Audio Webcast of the game made available through Willamette Athletics and Full Access Sports. The webcast is FREE and will feature play-by-play announcer Mike Allegre and commentator Craig Spivey. It will begin at approximately 12:45 p.m. (PST).

Mount Union College (Ohio) was ranked #1 with an 8-0 record, 39 of 40 first place votes and 999 points in the poll. The #2 team was the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, 8-0, which received the final first place vote and 961 points.

Wesley College (Del.), 8-0, followed at #3 with 910 points, while St. John's University (Minn.), 8-0, was #4 at 874 points. Central College (Iowa) improved to 9-0 with a 17-0 victory over Buena Vista University (Iowa), and was at #5 with 822 points. The top five teams held the same positions in last week's poll.

Last week's 6th-ranked team, Washington and Jefferson College (Pa.), now 7-1, fell to #15 this week after losing to last week's #13 team, Thomas More College (Ky.), 14-7. Linfield College, 8-0, advanced one spot to replace W&J at #6 with 802 points. Case Western Reserve University (Ohio), 8-0, also move up one position to #7 with 718 points.

Rounding out the Top 10 were Monmouth University (Illinois) at #8 with 684 points, the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (Texas) at #9 with 652 points, and Thomas More at #10 with 637 points. Monmouth is 9-0, while Mary Hardin-Baylor is 7-1 and Thomas More is 8-0.

For More Information:
Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

D3Football.com Top 25

While the Bearcats had the weekend off, top-ranked Mount Union College (Ohio) routed John Carroll University, 56-7, to improve to 8-0 on the season. Mount Union remained #1 with 19 of 25 first place votes and 619 points in the poll.

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, 8-0, stayed at #2 in the Top 25 with six first place votes and 606 points. Wesley College (Del.) continued to hold the #3 position with an 8-0 record and 565 points. St. John's University (Minn.), 8-0, remained #4 with 525 points, while Linfield College stayed at #5 with 520 points. Central College (Iowa), 9-0, also retained its spot, keeping #6 with 498 points.

The highest ranked team to lose over the weekend was last week's #7 team, Otterbein College (Ohio), which lost to Marietta College (Ohio), 25-22. Otterbein, 7-1, fell to #15 in the poll.

Other teams with significant drops in the poll were North Central College (Illinois), Washington and Jefferson College (Pa.) and Mississippi College. North Central, now 6-2, fell from #9 to #18. Washington and Jefferson, 7-1, went from #11 to #23, while Mississippi College, 6-2, moved from #13 to #22.

For More Information:
Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

Willamette competes in NCAA Division III and the Northwest Conference. The Bearcats will open the season with a pair of home games on Friday, Nov. 20 and Saturday, Nov. 21. In the regular season opener, WU will take on Menlo College at 7 p.m. (PST). On Nov. 21, the 'Cats will host Claremont-Mudd-Scripps at 7 pm. (PST).

For More Information:
Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110