Hernandez Earns First Team All-NWC Honors after Leading Bearcats in Scoring

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Alan Hernandez (Jr., F, Tigard, OR/Tigard HS) of Willamette University has been selected First Team All-Northwest Conference in voting by the NWC head coaches. Julian Hanlon-Austin (Sr., F, Portland, OR/Grant HS) of Willamette received Honorable Mention.

The 2016 All-Northwest Conference Men's Soccer Team included 13 players on the First Team and 12 players on the Second Team. Six athletes earned Honorable Mention.

Forward Eddie Na from Pacific Lutheran University was named NWC Offensive Player of the Year. Whitworth University goalkeeper Tim Costa was chosen NWC Defensive Player of the Year, and Pacific Lutheran midfielder Jackson Moore was named NWC Freshman of he Year. Head Coach Eric Miole at Pacific University was selected NWC Coach of the Year.

Willamette finished the season with an 8-8-1 overall record, including 6-7-1 (5th place) in the NWC. The Bearcats earned important NWC wins at Sparks Field by defeating Pacific 1-0 on Sept. 24 and by shutting out Pacific Lutheran 2-0 on Oc.t 2. Pacific end the year in second place in the NWC, while PLU took fourth place.

First Team All-Northwest Conference

Alan Hernandez (Jr., F) received All-NWC honors for the first time. He led the Bearcats in scoring with four goals and three assists for 11 total points. He topped Willamette's offensive statistics with 34 total shots, and also led the team with 13 shots on goal. He tied for the team lead by taking 27 corner kicks.

Hernandez scored three of his goals from the penalty spot, as he finished the season 3 for 3 on penalty kicks. He scored two game-winning goals. he played in 15 games with 13 starts. Hernandez scored twice in Willamette's 2-1 win at Linfield College on Oct. 8.

In three seasons with the Bearcats, Hernandez has seen action in 54 games, including 29 starts. He has scored 12 goals and recorded six assists for 30 total points. He has produced 92 total shots and 40 shots on goal (43.5% of his shots), and has earned four game-winning goals.

Honorable Mention All-Northwest Conference

Julian Hanlon-Austin (Sr., F) was chosen for All-NWC recognition for the second time. He was named First Team All-NWC in 2014.

This year, Hanlon-Austin played in 15 games, including 14 starts. He scored two goals and had three assists for seven total points. His speed, quickness and ability to maintain possession were tremendous contributions for Willamette's offense. Teams often chose to double-team him, which opened up additional space for other Bearcats on the attack.

Hanlon-Austin trailed only Hernandez with 28 shots, and tied for second on the roster with 11 shots on goal. He scored the game's only goal in Willamette's 1-0 victory over Pacific on Sept. 24.

During four seasons at Willamette, Hanlon-Austin achieved six goals and eight assists for 20 total points. He took 64 shots, including 24 shots on goal. He played in a total of 53 games with 32 starts.