By: Evan O'Kelly, Associate Commissioner for Communications

Photography by: Clayton Jones / Western Oregon Assistant Athletic Director for Communications.

PORTLAND, Ore. – Two weeks ago it was the first-ever national ranking for the Western Oregon men’s soccer team.
 
Now, it’s GNAC Team of the Week recognition as the Wolves have cruised to the top of the GNAC standings on the heels of a nine-match unbeaten streak. Western Oregon (8-1-1, 4-0 GNAC) left no doubt last Thursday in a 3-0 blanking of

reigning GNAC champion Simon Fraser. The Wolves followed by racing past Seattle Pacific 4-1 in another lopsided win on the road. “We did a good job controlling the tempo of the game from the opening whistle and stuck to the gameplan,” WOU head coach Michael Behonick said on the win over Simon Fraser. “We continued to keep the ball and playing against SFU we were always conscious about where their attackers were from a defensive standpoint. We were able to counter-press and win second balls early to gain control of possession.”
 
Since a season-opening 3-0 loss to No. 2 Colorado State Pueblo, Behonick’s crew has gone 8-0-1 and out-scored its opposition 22-6. The results of late have been even more impressive, with WOU scoring three or more goals four times across its current five-match winning streak. Just two weeks into the conference season, the Wolves are at the top of the GNAC table with 12 points and hold a six-point cushion ahead of Montana State Billings and Northwest Nazarene. “If you look at that game as a whole, it was the critical moments that we lost on the day,” Behonick said referring to the loss to last year’s NCAA Division II national runner-up. “It told us a lot about our group and the things we needed to work on. Playing a team that was a back-to-back national finalist exposed us. It helped us get back to the training ground to clean up and it has helped us as we have started this early part of the season.”
 
WOU’s success is multifaceted, with a versatile and layered offensive attack complemented by a smothering defense and a newcomer in goal who is making headlines week after week. Yahir Ocampo Navarro firmly established himself as one of the conference’s top players in 2023, earning first-team all-conference recognition from the GNAC coaches. The sophomore midfielder from Aloha, Ore., is playing at an even higher level this season, leading the conference with six goals including the game-winner last week against the Red Leafs. “The great thing about him is he shows up every day and does the same stuff in games that he does in training,” Behonick said on Ocampo Navarro, who was entrusted with converting a penalty kick for the Wolves in the 57th minute against SFU. “He continues to be consistent and push himself, and that is why he performs at the highest level in each game.”
 
Junior Abraham Villalobos scored three goals for the Wolves last week, including the final two in the win over SFU. He and freshman standout Michael Divano are tied for fifth in the conference with four goals apiece. Freshman Evan Huber came off the bench to supply a goal and an assist last week, and senior newcomer Diego Andrade set up a pair of goals in the win over Seattle Pacific. “It was a fantastic match from start to finish between two high-level teams competing and playing good football,” Behonick said on Saturday’s win over SPU. “We were able to win the critical moments in the game where we took our opportunities and chances. We consistently finished the opportunities in front of us to close the match out.”
 
 

WOU’s defense is anchored by the tandem of junior captain Harper Neubeck and sophomore center back Ethan Fisher. A Eugene, Ore., native, Neubeck has started all 26 of WOU’s matches dating back to last season and rarely exits the pitch, having played the full 90 minutes in 7 of 10 matches this fall. The 6-foot-4 Fisher, from Federal Way, Wash., embodies one of the most physical players in the league and scored his

first collegiate goal in the win over SPU. Caleb Kiner, a junior from Dallas, Ore., is the other WOU defender to have started all 10 matches this season.
 
“The biggest piece of the puzzle has been the consistency of those guys playing together and continuing to learn and grow as a group,” Behonick said on the WOU defense. “The only difference from last season in the back line has been Caleb, and the familiarity that has developed over the last 12 months has been a key to our success. Those guys are able to help stabilize the way we play from back to front.”
 
Behind it all is the last line of defense – senior goalkeeper Andre Schlaefli. Earning his second straight GNAC Defensive Player of the Week honor, he leads the conference in goals-against average (0.90), shutouts (4) and save percentage (.804). Putting his shot-stopping ability on display in last Thursday’s match, Schlaefli made an instinctual, leaping stop on an 82nd-minute penalty kick try by SFU that preserved the clean sheet. The thud of the ball against his gloves prompted an uproar from the WOU bench, which charged up to its feet in delight at its goalkeeper’s latest heroic moment. “Ever since he stepped foot on campus he has been a student of the game, and he prepares himself the right way on and off the field,” Behonick said on Schlaefli, a transfer from St. Mary’s University in Texas. “The way he eats, studies the game and his attitude in training every day continue to push him to the next level. He has shown in matches when he is called upon the ability to make saves to both win and stay in games.”
 
The Wolves broke into the United Soccer Coaches top-25 national poll on Oct. 1 at No. 25, before climbing to No. 24 in last week’s rankings. After two more sound results, WOU is sure to nudge itself upwards again when the next poll is released on Tuesday. WOU is scheduled for just one match this week, taking on Saint Martin’s (0-10, 0-4) on Thursday on the road. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. (Pacific). “The team has bought in from day one to building a program and building a team culture, and that is an important part of winning,” said Behonick, who in 2023 was voted the GNAC Coach of the Year in his debut campaign at WOU. “In a team sport with 11 guys playing and a large group off the field, it is about developing culture and guys getting chances as they are called upon. A big piece is continuing to evaluate each match, work on making ourselves better game by game and learning how to improve. We are facing a tough stretch here with the rest of our conference schedule.”
 
Of Note: CSU Pueblo is currently in first place in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference at 3-0 and holds an 8-2-1 record overall…the ThunderWolves were ranked No. 9 in last week’s USC poll…since Sept. 16, 2023 WOU has posted a record of 17-2-4.