Sawyer Repeats as NWC Women's Lacrosse Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University goalkeeper Shelby Sawyer (Sr., Marysville, WA/Bio Med Academy) has been selected as the Northwest Conference Women's Lacrosse Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week for the second consecutive week. Sawyer helped the Bearcats defeat Whitworth University 17-15 on Saturday, April 15 and down Whitman College 13-12 on Sunday, April 16. She also received the NWC defensive honor a week ago after Willamette earned three wins between April 4 and April 9.

In Willamette's victories over Whitworth and Whitman, Sawyer provided the team with 31 saves. She registered 12 saves against Whitworth, and then set a school record with 19 saves in the win over Whitman, breaking her own record of 18 saves, set against Occidental College on March 23, 2022.

Against Whitman, Sawyer also intercepted a pass from behind the goal with about 50 seconds remaining and Willamette holding a 13-12 lead. The interception allowed the Bearcats to run out the clock.

Sawyer has achieved an 11-4 record this season while contributing a school record 143 saves. She has a 10.98 goals against average.

Willamette is 12-4 overall and 9-3 in the NWC. The Bearcats tied with Whitman for second place in the conference. Willamette has qualified for the four-team NWC Women's Lacrosse Tournament and will take on Whitman in the semifinals on Saturday, April 22 at 3 p.m. (PDT).