Featured Senior: Mason Kelliher

What was your most memorable moment throughout your career at Willamette?

When we won the Northwest Conference and went to the NCAA Tournament. We found out we were going to the tournament while crowding round a laptop watching Whitman and Whitworth play in the snow. Depending on the winner, we would either get the tournament birth or not, so we were rooting for Whitman. They went up, but then Whitworth tied it, and with five minutes to go in the second ovetime, the Whitworth goalie passed it to a Whitman striker who scored ... and we all danced around the living room.

How have you been handling life in quarantine? Are you home or on campus? What's it like learning online and not being around your teammates?

Great. I'm in Sweden with my partner. I left the U.S. when classes got cancelled and as the borders started to close because I was afraid I would get stuck in the U.S. So I'm happy I made it out. It was definitely hard to say goodbye to my teammates not knowing when I would see them again, and it happened really quickly so I wasn't able to say goodbye to all of them.

What has your experience as a Bearcat taught you?

To value all of your relationships and make the most out of the time you have.

If you could leave one piece of advice for future Bearcats, what would it be?

Have fun.

What are your future plans following graduation?

Find a job in Sweden, travel and do exciting things with my partner and our bunnies, and play as much soccer as I can.

From their teammates

What was your most memorable moment of Mason?

Abdul Ali: When he got to play in the field at Linfield instead of being in goal. It was super fun watching him fly around the pitch.

Ryan Sato: Playing on the field with him against Linfield during his last game as a Bearcat.

How has Mason impacted you in your sport or in life?

Abdul Ali: He makes me driven, always looking to succeed and win. He really gave me that feeling of having a chip on my shoulder, where I'm always hungry for more.

What makes Mason special?

Abdul Ali: He's a great leader, and super funny. He has such a unique sense of humor that always lands.

Is there anything Mason brought to the program that will have a lasting impact?

Abdul Ali: Really competitive fun Catan game nights.