Bearcats are Ranked #6 in West Region of NCAA Division III in Men's Soccer

Quinn Mello-Bastida (Sr., F, San Jose, CA/Valley Christian HS/U. of Portland)

September 21, 2018

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore -- The Willamette University men's soccer team is ranked #6 in the NCAA Division III West Region Poll released this week by the United Soccer Coaches. Willamette entered the week with a 5-1-1 overall record, including 4-0-1 against NCAA Division III opponents.

Trinity University (Texas) held the #1 ranking in the West Region with a 4-0-1 record in Division III. University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (Texas), which edge past Willamette, 1-0, in last year's NCAA Division III Tournament, was listed at #2 with a 6-0-0 record. Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (Calif.) followed in the #3 spot at 5-0-0, with University of Redlands (Calif.) at #4 with a 4-0-0 mark.

University of Texas-Tyler was ranked #5 at 4-1-0 and Willamette was #6 at 4-0-1. Southwestern University (Texas) owned the #7 ranking with a 4-1-1 record. Colorado College, 5-2-0, was ranked #8, and University of Texas-Dallas, 3-1-1, was #9. Pacific Lutheran University, who Willamette downed 3-1 on Saturday, Sept. 15, fell from #7 to #10 with a 5-3-0 record.

The top three teams in the West Region Poll also grabbed positions in this week's NCAA Division III National Poll. Trinity was ranked #9 in the nation, with Mary Hardin-Baylor at #13 and Claremont-Mudd-Scripps at #19.

Messiah College (Pa.) topped the National Poll with a 5-0-1 record. University of Chicago (Ill.) was #2 at 6-0-1, and Tufts University (Mass.) was #3 at 5-0-0. The #4-ranked team was University of St. Thomas (Minn.) with a 5-0-0 mark. Calvin College (Mich.) held the #5 spot at 5-0-0.

Willamette will take on George Fox University at Sparks Field on Saturday, Sept. 22. Game time is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. (PDT). The Bearcats will complete the weekend by playing Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon, on Sunday, Sept. 23 at 12 p.m.

NOTE: The NCAA Division III rankings are based only on games played within Division III. If you choose the NCAA Division III National Poll link (above) and then click on West, you weill get to the West Region Rankings.