Ortiz Earns NWC Men's Soccer Offensive Student-Athlete of the Week

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Edwin Ortiz (So., M, Salem, OR/North Salem HS) who scored two goals in Willamette's 6-0 win over Pacific University on Sunday, Feb. 28, has been chosen as the Northwest Conference Men's Soccer Offensive Student-Athlete of the Week. Ortiz scored the first goal to give Willamette an early lead and then tallied the fourth goal in the second half.

The game's opening goal was recorded by Ortiz just 1:42 after the opening kickoff. He put the ball into the net on a header from the right corner of the goalie box after receiving a long cross from the left side by Jack Moothart (Sr., M, West Linn/West Linn HS). An own goal increased Willamette's lead to 2-0 at halftime.

Willamette pulled away with four goals in the final 16 minutes. After Carter McCleary (Sr., F, Port Hadlock, WA/Chimacum HS) increased the lead to 3-0 on a goal at 74:46, Ortiz scored again just 21 seconds later at 75:07. The successful shot was taken from about 18 yards out after a pass from McCleary. The Bearcats added goals by Sean Kim (Fy., M, Sunnyvale, CA/Homestead HS) at 79:49 and 82:58 to complete the rout.

The Bearcats outshot the Boxers 17-1 overall and 11-0 in shots on goal. Willamette improved to 1-0 on the season and 1-0 in the NWC. The Bearcats are scheduled to play at George Fox University on Sunday, March 7 at 3 p.m. (PST).