LaFrance Earns NWC Weekly Honor after Scoring Game-Winner versus PLU
By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SALEM, Ore. -- Krisna LaFrance (So., F, Seattle, WA./Ballard HS) of Willamette University has been named the Northwest Conference Men's Soccer Offensive Student-Athlete of the Week for his efforts in three games between Sept. 12 and Sept. 18. LaFrance scored the game-winning goal in Willamette's 2-1 victory over Pacific Lutheran University on Sunday, Sept. 18 after playing 76 minutes in a 4-2 win over the University of California, Santa Cruz on Monday, Sept 12, and earning an assist on the Bearcats' first goal in 2-1 win against the University of Puget Sound on Saturday, Sept. 17.
The 3-0 week advanced Willamette's record to 4-0-2 on the season, 2-0 in the NWC. Pacific Lutheran, the defending NWC champion, entered Sunday's game with an undefeated record, a #14 national ranking in NCAA Division III, and the #1 ranking in Region X. Puget Sound entered the weekend without a loss.
LaFrance's winning goal against the Lutes was scored with 9:19 left in the second half to break a 1-1 tie. He shot from 11 yards into the lower left corner of the goal. Drew Alexander (Fy., D, San Mateo, CA/Junipero Serra HS) received an assist on the play after sending a pass to LaFrance from near the end line and just inside the left edge of the 18-yard box. Against Puget Sound, LaFrance assisted on a goal by Fernando Bitelli (So., F/M, Sao Paulo, Brazil) at 38:36 that gave WU a 1-0 halftime lead.
"Kris was outstanding for us all week, starting on Monday versus UC Santa Cruz," Willamette Head Men's Soccer Coach Sam Adelman commented. "Using his pace and technical qualities, he was so dangerous in the attacking third, and he defended well in every area of the pitch. His contributions go far beyond what's on the boxscore. His mentality has been elite."
Willamette is scheduled to play a road game at Pacific University on Saturday, Sept. 24. Kickoff in Forest Grove, Oregon, is slated for 2:30 p.m. (PDT).