Skelly is Named NWC Women's Soccer Offensive Student-Athlete of the Week

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University senior midfielder Stephanie Skelly (Poulsbo, WA/North Kitsap HS) has been chosen Northwest Conference Women's Soccer Offensive Student-Athlete of the week for her efforts in the week ending on Sunday, Oct. 2.

Skelly scored two goals to lead Willamette to a 4-0 victory over George Fox University on Sunday. Her first goal, scored with just 20 seconds left in the first half, gave WU a 1-0 lead and provided the Bearcats with momentum heading into the intermission. The Bearcats tacked on three more goals in the second half.

After WU built a 2-0 lead, Skelly added her second goal at 69:07. The Bearcats also tacked on a goal in the closing seconds to achieve the final score.

During the week, Skelly played and started in both of Willamette's games. She was involved in all 180 minutes of action and took a total of six shots, with four shots on goal. In addition to helping WU defeated GFU, she also provided solid play in Willamette's 2-1 win over Pacific University on Saturday, Oct. 1.

For the season, Skelly is the Bearcats' leading scorer with six goals and one assist for 13 total points. In her career, she has provided WU with 25 goals and three assists for 53 career points.

The Bearcats are 5-4-1 overall, 4-1-1 in the NWC, and are ranked #10 in this week's NCAA Division III West Region Rankings released by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). Willamette will play an NWC game at Whitman College on Saturday, Oct. 8 at 12 p.m. (PDT) in Walla Walla, Wash. The Bearcats will continue toward Spokane, Wash., to take on Whitworth University on Sunday, Oct. 9 at 12 p.m. (PDT).