Jensen Signs with Kitsap Pumas of USL Premier Development League

By Timothy Walsh, Athletics Communications Writer

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University men's soccer player Trevor Jensen (Sr., MF, Chula Vista, Calif./Bonita Vista HS)has signed a contract to play with the Kitsap Pumas of the United Soccer Leagues (USL). The team announced the signing, pending approval by the USL and United States Soccer Federation, on March 14.

"Trevor is a true defending midfielder," Pumas head coach Andrew Chapman said. "He likes to sit in the pocket and win balls and distribute. He hits a very nice ball over distance to the corners. He is a very reliable player that allows his teammates to always know where he is."

Founded in 2008, the Pumas play in the USL's Premier Development League (PDL), the fourth tier of American soccer. The team won the PDL title in 2011 and is a member of the highly competitive Northwest Division, competing against squads such as the Portland Timbers U23s, the Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-23 and the Seattle Sounders FC U-23.

"I was very excited to sign with Kitsap," Jensen said. "They are a great organization and did an excellent job of filling the roster this year with top players from all over."

Jensen is believed to be the first Willamette men's soccer player ever to sign a professional contract.

"It will be a difficult and intense experience and the transition will take some time, but I'll rise up to it," Jensen added.

Jensen played in 73 out of a possible 74 games during his career at Willamette, including 69 starts. He scored a total of 17 goals and set a WU record with 18 career assists. The previous record was 16 assists, set by Jeff Johnson from 1982-83 and by Dirk Hmura from 1988-91.

He finished his career with 138 total shots, 62 shots on goal, five game-winning goals and 171 corner kicks. He was 5 of 6 on penalty kicks.

Jensen recorded two hat tricks during his career, with both performances coming in 3-2 road wins over archrival Linfield College.

In 2013, Jensen was chosen Third Team All-West Region for NCAA Division III as selected by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), while earning First Team All-Northwest Conference honors. He was previously selected Second Team All-NWC in 2012.

During the 2013 season, Jensen topped Willamette's offensive chart in all three scoring categories, finishing the year with 10 goals and seven assists for 27 total points. He scored on four of five penalty kick attempts, took 66 of 106 corner kicks for the Bearcats and registered three game-winning goals.

In 2012, he tied a Bearcat season record with eight assists, equaling the mark set by Kent Jensen in 1983 and by Casey Fries in 1990.

"Once I am up there [at Kitsap], I don't expect anything to be handed to me," Jensen said. "I just want to continue to put the work in each day and use this experience with soccer to continually grow each day as a player and person."

Jensen will graduate from Willamette in May with a degree in Rhetoric and Media Studies.