Just About Perfect

1982 – Around the World and Close to Home

Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev initiates reform and liberalization, scientists report a hole in earth’s ozone layer over Antarctica, and New Coke bombs, prompting a rapid return of Classic Coke. In Washington, Seattle’s 76-story Columbia Center opens, becoming the tallest building in the Pacific Northwest, Bonnie Dunbar, the state’s first female astronaut, completes her first mission in space, aboard the shuttle Challenger, and the Seattle Sonics return to the Seattle Center Coliseum following seven seasons in the Kingdome.

Just About Perfect

While it’s true that all championship teams are special, some leave a mark indelible for decades to follow. In claiming a third NCAA title, Seattle Pacific University exhibits a confidence and flair that breaks the mold.

In 1978 and ’83, the Falcons’ formula was largely limiting opponent scoring chances and an opportunistic, counterattacking offense. In ’85, oozing with ability and attacking with abandon, SPU performs with a swagger.

Under Cliff McCrath, Seattle Pacific was coming off a championship and runner-up finish in the previous two years. Add to that experience three proven creators/scorers and a game-changing force among the back four, and it’s no wonder why they are ranked No. 2 among Division II teams to start the season and the favorite to win the Northwest Collegiate Soccer Conference. Peter Hattrup, who scored 33 goals and 16 assists from 1982-83, returns to the fold and is joined by Glenn Lurie, Mark Faller and Danny Machado. Chris McDonald, a skilled 6-foot-5 redshirt freshman, takes over at center back.

It’s evident from the outset that as good as this squad appears on paper, it’s more formidable in the flesh. The Falcons roll through the first six games by winning all and outscoring foes 25-1. Somewhat slowed by altitude at Air Force, they respond by going victorious in the next five and taking 10 of 11 by a goal difference of 52-7. Portland (6-1) and Washington become the third and fourth Div. I victims, the Huskies having their record 37-game home unbeaten string snapped, thanks to a pair of Faller goals. Gonzaga goes down, 11-0, with the Hattrup doing most of the demolition, scoring all five of his record-breaking haul before halftime.

Washington gets payback, 2-1 in overtime, at Memorial Stadium, yet that only serves to reenergize SPU for their playoff run. After a quarterfinal win at No. 5 Cal State Northridge, the Falcons come home and are snowed-out of practices and nearly their semifinal with Davis & Elkins. They find refuge in the Kingdome, where Hattrup’s brace brings them from behind, 2-1.

The NCAA final is a rematch with Florida International, who upset SPU at Memorial in ’84. In Miami, McCrath presciently tells his men to be alert early. Ever daring and teasing, Hattrup scores two first-half goals, then finds Lurie for a third to open the second half, and Seattle Pacific hangs on for the win, 3-2.

In all, SPU scores 89 goals – one shy of doubling the year. However, McCrath says the biggest surprise is allowing just 19 goals in going 20-3-0.

“The construction of the team was just about perfect,” claims Hattrup. “Solid back line and keeper, two extremely hard working and unselfish wide midfielders, a rock solid metronome of a center midfielder in Scott Cairns which gave the platform to roam and create, two mobile forwards who fit their roles brilliantly and a bench to help when needed and who knew their roles.

“There was a chemistry and a never-say-die attitude,” adds Hattrup. “There was flair and balance. Even if you took out my 26 goals, we would have outscored the teams before and after us. We had remarkable confidence, mobility and interchange of players.”

TACOMA STARS
Season Record
17-31, 7th West
Coach
Freddie Goodwin (3rd year), Bob McNab (1st year)
Top Scorer
Dale Mitchell (55 goals)
U.S. Open Cup
Seattle Mitre Eagles, quarterfinals
FC SEATTLE
Record
4-2-1, 2nd
Head Coach
Bruce Rioch (1st year)
Top Scorer
Bruce Raney (6 goals)
ADULT AMATEUR
U.S. Amateur Cup
Amateur Cup finalist -Mitre Eagles, National Over 30 Men - FOE Bald Eagles
COLLEGIATE
Men's Collegiate Champions
Seattle Pacific, NCAA Division II
Men's Collegiate Postseason
Seattle Pacific D2 Champion
Women's Collegiate Postseason
Puget Sound NAIA Runner-up
NCSC Men's Champion
Washington
NWAC Men's Champion
Bellevue
YOUTH
Girls Regional Champion
Highline Pepsi Stompers U19
Largest Attendance
5,986, UCLA v American (NCAA final)

1985: Just About Perfect

Seattle Pacific is oozing with talent and confidence in claiming another NCAA title and becomes the state's first to win 20 games.

Peterson Scores USA Winner
May 16, 1985

Mark Peterson scores the winner with just 1:40 remaining as the U.S. National Team opens the next stage of World Cup qualifying by beating Trinidad & Tobago, 2-1, at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. Peterson, out of contract with the Tacoma Stars and out of the national team for 20 months, gets the close-range winner on a feed from Erhardt Capp. Peterson's youth teammate from Tacoma's Norpoint Royals, Jeff Durgan, also starts. Neither plays when the U.S. is eliminated May 31 by Costa Rica.

Hattrup Scores 5 Goals for SPU
October 25, 1985

Peter Hattrup erupts for a school-record five goals, all in the first half, as Seattle Pacific thrashes Gonzaga 11-0 at Redmond High School. The 11 goals is also an SPU single-game record. Hattrup opens the scoring after 7 minutes, 14 seconds. He scores his fifth goal at 33:46, and leaves the game shortly thereafter. Hattrup had shared the old mark of four goals with six others. It is the fifth win over a Div. I opponent for the Falcons.

Highline Pepsi Stompers 3rd Nationally
July 20, 1985

Highline Pepsi Stompers’ first venture to the Girls National Youth Challenge Cup in Denver ends with a third-place finish, taking the U19 consolation final, 4-1, over Busch Select of St. Louis. Stompers, who breezed through the regional stage, needed to rally late to draw level with Falls Church Cobras (Va.) in the semifinal. Lori Henry and Kerri Tashiro tallied, taking it to overtime, but Birthe Hagstad scores to send the Cobras through. Stompers had run roughshod over six West Regional to become Washington’s first girls’ national representative. They beat Oregon, 3-0, in the title game at Boise, finishing with a 27-2 goal differential. Jerome Rauen became coach five years ago and guided the team to three of their five state cups.

Akers Scores in USWNT Debut
August 21, 1985

Michelle Akers scores the historic first U.S. National Team goal in her first appearance, a 2-2 draw with Denmark at the Mundialito for Women in Jesolo, Italy. The 19-year-old scores the Americans' opener in the 38th minute. She adds another goal versus England in a 3-1 loss August 23.

FC Seattle is the Future
USMNT coach Alkis Panagoulias following a June 23 friendly at FC Seattle. Three days later Panagoulias is fired.

The key to success in this country is a team like FC Seattle. We need more teams like that to develop more players. These players will become the future coaches. Without these teams, soccer will have no future. It will die.

Preki Debuts for Stars
October 25, 1985

Predrag Radosavljević , a 22-year-old rookie better known as Preki, scores in his Tacoma Stars debut, a season-opening 7-5 loss at Minnesota. Preki had been discovered by coach Bob McNab during a summer trip to Yugoslavia. At a preseason tournament in Pittsburgh, Preki impressed, scoring three goals and three assists to earn MVP honors. He goes on to score 332 MISL goals.

Soccer's Friend in Governor's Mansion
January 16, 1985

Booth Gardner, 48, becomes Washington’s 19th governor. Gardner, the former Pierce County Executive, is heavily involved in soccer. He was co-owner of both the ASL Tacoma Tides and NASL Colorado Caribous and has been coaching a female team based in Lakewood, the Cozars, who have graduated from being a state youth champion to 1984 U.S. Women’s Amateur Cup runners-up. His first out-of-state trip as governor is February 14-18 to Las Vegas as the Cozars win all seven games to successfully defend their Silver Mug tournament title.

Most Adult Players In Nation Per Capita
August 31, 1985

Washington has the highest per capita number of adult soccer players in the nation, reports the Washington State Soccer Association. Membership has more than quadrupled in the past five years. More than 11,000 men and 2,200 women play on some 700 teams statewide. Co-Rec teams has 400 players in the Seattle area and a variety of indoor and other leagues have organized. In addition, over 69,000 youth are registered with Washington State Youth Soccer Association.

Rioch Returns to Coach FC Seattle
February 25, 1985

Former Sounders star sweeper Bruce Rioch is named head coach of FC Seattle, which will pay players $3,000-5,000 for 12 summer exhibitions after going amateur in its inaugural season. Jimmy Gabriel had served as coaching director and Tommy Jenkins as coach in 1984. Since leaving Seattle in 1981, Rioch has managed England’s Torquay for three seasons.

Loggers, Lutes Voted All-America
December 17, 1985

Sonya Brandt and Shelley Flack of Puget Sound's national runners-up are among four Washington women named to the NAIA All-America teams. Brandt and Flack, both forwards, make the first team. Shelly Simmons of UPS and Pacific Lutheran's Linda Bostjancic are named to the second team.

Seven WA Players Start USWNT Debut
August 18, 1985

Seven players from Washington start for the U.S. Women's National Team in its inaugural match vs. host Italy in Jesolo, a 1-0 loss. Denise Bender, Denise Boyer, Lori Bylin, Cindy Gordon, Lori Henry, Kathy Ridgewell and Sharon Remer each play the entire game at the Mundialito for Women. It is considered a preview for a first Women’s World Cup, projected for 1987. USWNT players assembled for the first time on August 11 before departing.

Nathan Hale Cops First AA Crown
May 25, 1985

Nathan Hale lays claim to the state’s first AA boys’ trophy by dispatching North Thurston, 2-0. Walter Schmetzer sets-up twin brother Andy early in the second half, then picks out Keith Piccirilli less than two minutes later to double the lead. The Raiders had finished third in the 1984 all-division tournament. O’Dea wins the consolation final, 3-1, over Franklin Pierce.

Falcons Snap UW Home Streak
October 23, 1985

Mark Faller strikes the first and final blows in Seattle Pacific's 5-3 win over Washington, snapping the Huskies' 37-game home win streak before 1,500. The Falcons had been the last team to win in Husky Stadium, in 1980. After falling behind 3-2, SPU ties it just before halftime through Peter Hattrup. Craig Ottosen put the visitors ahead on the hour and Faller finishes it in the 78th minute.

Snow Sends SPU to Kingdome
November 30, 1985

With Memorial Stadium covered in several inches of snow, Seattle Pacific scrambles to find an alternative site over Thanksgiving holiday. The Falcons roost in the Kingdome, and despite travel conditions 2,467 root them on to a 2-1 victory over West Virginia’s Davis & Elkins in an NCAA Division II semifinal. Peter Hattrup scores both goals, including the 85th minute winner. It’s the 300th career win for Cliff McCrath, making him only the fifth collegiate coach to do so. Two NWAAC men’s semifinals are played prior to the main event.

Seattle Shocks Canadian MNT
July 14, 1985

Digging deep, shorthanded FC Seattle rebounds from a road loss at Victoria the day prior to upset the Canadian National Team, 3-2, at Memorial Stadium. Walter Schmetzer scores twice, including the free kick winner in the 72nd minute. Gerard McGlynn gives the hosts their first lead in the 2nd minute. Seattle played without four regular starters, including Jeff Durgan and Robbie Zipp. Two months later, Canada wins the final round of Concacaf qualifying to reach the 1986 World Cup.

Amputee Soccer Program Established
July 1, 1985

Mercer Island's Don Bennett organizes an amputee soccer program, to be coached by Bill Barry and sponsored by the Athlete's Foot shoe stores. Bennett said the sport's devotees were originally drawn from skiers looking for a way to stay in shape during the offseason. Barry later establishes Amputee Soccer International. Exhibitions are played August 24 before a Mariners-Yankees game in the Kingdome.

Stars Shine vs Cosmos
February 16, 1985

Roy Wegerle scores four goals and assists on two more as the Tacoma Stars crush the New York Cosmos, 11-4. Dale Mitchell is catalyst for record score, completing a hat trick in first quarter. Newly-acquired keeper Bob Rigby makes 15 saves and defense blocks a record 22 shots. It proves to be Freddie Goodwin's final win as coach. The Cosmos withdraw from the league and cease operations six days later. Many in the crowd 11,206 stayed for the postgame concert featuring Rail.

FC Seattle Becomes Storm
December 4, 1985

FC Seattle adopts a nickname going into its third season. They will be known as the Storm. Meanwhile, the Western Soccer Alliance expands with three southern California entries (Los Angeles, Hollywood and San Diego), plus Edmonton. Victoria drops out.

Big Crowd, Finally a Big Win
March 27, 1985

Nearly 17,000 turn-out in Tacoma Dome to see the Stars upset Chicago, 6-3, and give coach Bob McNab his first home victory. It's the second-largest crowd in the club's first two seasons. McNab had gone 0-6 in 1983 and 0-3 to start his second stint at home. Tacoma businesses bought all available tickets which were distributed free at local Safeway stores.

Raiders Win 3rd Straight State
May 25, 1985

Thomas Jefferson rolls to its third straight AAA boys’ state crown with a comfortable 3-0 win over previously perfect (19-1) Bellarmine Prep at Memorial Stadium. Jeff Moser, Ray Hoff and Todd Holman find the net for the Raiders, now unbeaten in 59 games and winners of 30 straight. TJ, missing Rob Sakamoto, Jim Weber and Kobi Yamada due to club conflicts, survived a semifinal scare from Roosevelt, getting a late Hoff equalizer and vital save from Mike Gosselin in the shootout (2-2 5-4). Bellarmine becomes the first Tacoma team to reach a final, eliminating Redmond, which takes third place.

Stars Reverse Coaching Move
March 4, 1985

With 11 games left, Bob McNab replaces Freddie Goodwin as Tacoma Stars head coach. The move comes 444 days after Goodwin's appointment and McNab's demotion to assistant. Tacoma has struggled without injured midfielders Ralph Black and Ray Evans, losing 4 straight and 14 of last 19.

Bald Eagles Win National Over-30
June 30, 1985

In the men’s national over-30 final, Seattle’s Bald Eagles come from behind to beat New Jersey’s Perth Amboy ZPA, 2-1. Steve Newman knots the score in the 35th minute and Tim Allen gets the game-winner in the 71st. Coach Pablo Aranz says, “I was very happy because we started five years ago and put this team together two years ago. I believe in American players, and the men are basically all local players from Seattle.”

Schmetzers Unite, Seattle Beats Santos
June 9, 1985

Featuring a midfield made-up almost entirely of Schmetzer brothers, FC Seattle earns its first international win, 2-1, over Brazil's legendary Santos. Brian Schmetzer scores both goals, less than five minutes apart in the second half. Younger siblings Andy and Walt Schmetzer, 18-year-old twins, make their debut just two weeks after completing their prep careers on the same Memorial Stadium field by winning a state championship. Altogether, the three brothers start nine games together.

Seattle Women Win City League Double
August 10, 1985

Seattle follows an unbeaten (9-0-1) regular season with victory in the FC Seattle City League cup final, 1-0, over Renton at Memorial Stadium. Bernadette McLaughlin scores the winner. Federal Way and Everett, fourth and sixth, respectively, meet in the men’s final with Federal Way winning, 3-1, through a goal and assist from Mark Stoppler. Seattle (5-0-5) was first in league play.

Gabriel Replaces Rioch at FC Seattle
September 25, 1985

Jimmy Gabriel is named successor to Bruce Rioch as head coach of FC Seattle. Gabriel, the former Sounders coach, had served as coaching director for two years. Rioch resigned to return to England, and within five months he’s named manager of Middlesbrough. Also, Bill Sage replaces Jack Brand as president and announces the club will revert to amateur following one year of semi-pro. It’s estimated the organization lost $500,000.

City League Forms
February 25, 1985

FC Seattle forms a six-team Western Washington City League for both men’s and women’s amateurs. Rosters are open to high school, college and adults, with top players from the league to be selected to represent FC Seattle men’s and women’s teams for domestic and international play during the summer. Teams are located in Seattle (Memorial Stadium), Tacoma (Lincoln Bowl), Everett (Mariner HS), Renton (Renton Stadium), Bellevue (Bellevue CC) and Federal Way (Highline Stadium) and each matchday features a men’s and women’s doubleheader.

Badder is Spokane's Best
June 2, 1985

Spokane Cup holder Badder FC holds off Spokane Produce, 3-1, to win Inland Empire Soccer Association’s Division 1. Badder places five players on the all-league team: Hassan Hamdan, Khalid Alothman, Tarik Al-Gain, Abdul-Baset Musali and Alex Kwamina. Spokane Produce has four: Dick Cullen, Einar Thorarinsson, Robin Crain and Mark Belstad.

UPS Moves NAIAs Indoors
November 30, 1985

Of all the emergency measures taken to play postseason games amidst a record November snowfall, without question the University of Puget Sound was forced to the most extreme in hosting the women’s NAIA Finals. Originally set for Baker Stadium on campus, the tournament reluctantly accepts an invitation to the Tacoma Indoor Soccer Center. Teams from Houghton (N.Y.), Wilmington (Ohio), Westmont (Calif.) and UPS must quickly adapt to 6v6 indoor rules and equipment. In a mid-morning match, Westmont gets off the mark to a 3-1 lead and defeats the Loggers, 4-2, for the national title. Shelley Flack scored two of her four goals early on and added two assists in the Loggers’ 6-0 semifinal win over Wilmington the night before.

Durgan Sent-Off, Released
July 29, 1985

Captain Jeff Durgan and FC Seattle part ways two days after his second sending off for a violent foul in an exhibition loss to the Canadian National Team. After fouling John Catliff at midfield, Durgan stomps his right foot on the prone Catliff’s face. Earlier in the season, Durgan was red-carded for an altercation with Ricky Davis in Seattle’s friendly with the U.S. National Team. “I can’t explain it, only to say that I did not intend to kick the guy in the face. Right now, I’m fighting a lot of disappointment and bitter feelings about my career in general, especially what’s happened over the last few years,” says Durgan, referencing the NASL folding and U.S. early exit from World Cup qualifying. Without Durgan, Seattle draws and loses its next two matches to fall out of contention for the Western Soccer Alliance title.

Hattrup Sparks SPU Championship Win
December 7, 1985

A pair of Peter Hattrup goals give the Falcons the fast start they would need, and he later assists on what proves to be the championship-clinching goal for Seattle Pacific. Reclaiming the NCAA Division II throne for the second time in three seasons, SPU wins, 3-2, over host Florida International. Hattrup takes his goal total to 26 by firing home strikes in the 24th and 38th minutes. Four minutes into the second half, Glenn Lurie makes it 3-0. The Sun Blazers, who had missed three golden opportunities at the outset of the match, finally broke through in, twice, in the final half-hour before a record home crowd of 1,500. The Falcons (20-3-0), who had lost to FIU in the 1984 final, become the first 20-win team in Washington collegiate history and the first three-time Div. II champion.

Girls Prep Marathon to Decide Titles
December 3, 1985

Record snowfall twice postpones WIAA tournament semifinals, prompting a girls' soccer marathon in the Tacoma Dome. AAA and AA semifinals, consolation and finals are all played in a single day, stretching over 14 hours to just after midnight, when Highline blanks Thomas Jefferson, 1-0, for the AAA title. Pirates had been third in 1983 and runner-up in 1984. Shorecrest wins the AA, 3-2, over Lakeside, on an Alicia Jones header with 30 minutes left. It's the Scots' second title in three years, having won 1983 all-division tournament.

McCrath, SPU Hit Milestone Win
October 2, 1985

Peter Hattrup scores two goals and assists on two others in Seattle Pacific's 6-1 scorching of Portland at Memorial Stadium. Bobby Bruch also gets at brace for SPU, ranked No. 2 in Division II. It's Cliff McCrath's 200th win with the Falcons since arriving in 1970. SPU had won just once before McCrath took over.

First Amputee Game Held
June 30, 1985

Teams from Seattle and Portland meet in the first known full-field amputee soccer match at Memorial Stadium. Both teams are sponsored by The Athletes Foot. Seattle’s Don Bennett, who first formed a team in September 1982, aspires to host an amputee World Cup in the future. Seattle wins the game, 2-0.

Mitchell Lifts Stars to Season-Ending Win
April 13, 1985

Tacoma completes a disappointing second season with Dale Mitchell scoring twice to upset Las Vegas, 4-2, before 8,024 in the Tacoma Dome. Mitchell finishes with a record 55 goals – 6th-best in MISL – and gets his 10th game-winner in a 17-31 season. The Stars went 4-3 in the final seven contests. It was only the fifth loss in 28 games for the Americans, owner of the league’s third-best record.

SPU's McGlynn Goes No. 2 in Draft
June 18, 1985

In the MISL draft, Tacoma takes Gerard McGlynn (Seattle/SPU), second overall, in the first round, Eddie Henderson (Seattle/O’Dea) in the third and Sean Bogert (Federal Way/Thomas Jefferson) in fourth. Andy Schmetzer (Seattle/Nathan Hale) is drafted 11th overall by Cleveland and Pittsburgh selects Walter Schmetzer (Seattle/Nathan Hale) 16th overall, along with Dennis Gunnell (Federal Way/SPU) 29th. Ken Fuegmann (Federal Way/Washington) goes to Cleveland at No. 48.

UCLA Outlasts American for NCAA Title
December 14, 1985

The longest championship game in 27 years of NCAA championships ends with a golden goal by UCLA reserve Andy Burke. After 166 minutes 5 seconds, the Bruins finally break through in the eighth overtime period to defeat 10-man American University, 1-0, with the game's only goal coming as Burke scores on a counterattack from 15 yards. Burke had not seen action until the seventh period. The Eagles play the final 37 minutes shorthanded following a red card. A crowd of 5,986 watches Big Kick 2 in the Kingdome. Says UCLA coach Sigi Schmid after the school's first title, "A game like this takes more than perseverance and a lot of faith. As the game drags on, you have to keep pushing, and we did that.”

Raney, FC Seattle Blast Portland
July 3, 1985

Bruce Raney produces FC Seattle’s first-ever hat trick and it propels the visitors to a 6-1 road rout of FC Portland in the inaugural Western Soccer Alliance game at Civic Stadium. After leaking an early goal, Brian Schmetzer quickly replies and Raney scores twice before intermission, then completes the scoring in the 88th minute.

Crowd Decline Cues Pay Cuts
July 14, 1985

FC Seattle players and staff absorb 50 percent pay cuts following disappointing attendance for the first two FC Seattle exhibitions. A 1-0 loss to Scotland’s Dundee draws 4,487 and a 2-1 win over Brazil’s Santos attracts 4,180, compared to budget projections of 6,500. “We now have to come back to reality,” says president Jack Brand. “The nice thing for us is we're flexible. We have to keep expenses in line with the gate.” Players will now earn $500 per month rather than $250 per game. Bob Walsh & Associates is asked to help improve marketing and attendance.

Huskies Avenge SPU, Win NCSC
November 6, 1985

Mark Stoppler scores 6:07 into overtime as Washington wrests the NCSC crown away from Seattle Pacific, 2-1, before 1,100 at Memorial Stadium. A win would've secured the title for SPU. Stoppler finds the upper left corner from 25 yards to avenge a home loss to the Falcons two weeks earlier. Mark Faller opens the scoring in the 26th minute before the Huskies' John Hamel ties nine minutes later. "This team has shown a great deal of character," says first-year UW Coach Ron Carter. "After suffering so many disappointing losses early in the season, it took a tremendous amount of character to come back and win the conference title."

Spokane Icon Passes
August 7, 1985

Alex Barr, a fixture in Spokane soccer and Gonzaga’s first varsity head coach, dies of leukemia. Barr, 45, was active with the Spokane Skyhawks youth programs, and in 1980 the Scotland native was named Gonzaga head coach, a post he held for four seasons. Masour “Manny” Faridnia is named his successor Aug. 27.

Wittrell Becomes 1st SPU All-American
December 17, 1985

Senior defender David Wittrell becomes the first All-American for Seattle Pacific – and every other men's collegiate program in Washington. Wittrell, who helped the Falcons win the NCAA Division II championship, is named by the NSCAA to the second team. Brent Goulet of Tacoma and Portland's Warner Pacific makes the NAIA second team.

Mitre Eagles Are Amateur Cup Finalists
June 30, 1985

Mitre Eagles are unable to summon the tying goal in the U.S. Amateur Cup final, falling to Club Espana, 2-1, in St. Louis. Peter Hattrup’s goal after 21 minutes had put the Eagles ahead. The Seattle team had defeated Atlanta’s Datagraphic, 2-0, in the semi with Hattrup figuring both in an own goal and heading home Andy Churlin’s cross for the second. The Eagles had doubled up in the Open Cup, advancing to the May 19 West Regional championship game before being bounced by eventual winner San Francisco Greek-Americans via penalties (2-2) in near 100-degree heat in Tempe, Ariz.

Streak Ends, Hopes Dashed
April 5, 1985

In need of a fourth straight win to stay in the MISL playoff hunt, the Tacoma Stars go down, 7-5, at San Diego. Branko Segota scores three fourth-quarter goals as the Sockers pull away from a 3-2 deficit to claim the division title. The Stars will finish 17-31, five fewer wins than their inaugural season.

Seattle U Keeper Keeps It Respectable
October 5, 1985

Seattle University sophomore goalkeeper John Matusak, rarely starved for action in this humbling season, makes a record 20 saves in a 5-0 loss at Portland. The Chieftains are in the midst of an 11-game losing streak and a four-game stretch in which they are outscored 22-0. For the season, SU allows 71 goals.

Mike Ryan Names 1st U.S. Playing Roster
August 7, 1985

Seattle's Mike Ryan names the roster for the inaugural U.S. Women's National Team matches. Among his selections after watching action at the National Sports Festival in New Orleans are eight players from Washington: Denise Bender (Seattle/FC Seattle), Sharon Remer (Seattle/FC Seattle), Lori Bylin (Auburn/Cozars, Puget Sound), Lori Henry (Seattle/Pepsi Stompers and Shoreline CC), Michelle Akers (Snohomish/Central Florida and Cozars), Denise Boyer (Tacoma/Cozars UPS), Kathy Ridgewell (Enumclaw/Cozars and Western Washington), Cindy Gordon (Des Moines/Cozars and Western Washington). Lorraine Figgins (Seattle/Cozars) is named an alternate.

FC Seattle Helps Form Alliance
July 3, 1985

FC Seattle joins three other teams to form the Western Soccer Alliance. FC Portland, San Jose Earthquakes, Victoria Riptides and Seattle will play each other home and away, plus host the Canadian National Team in a counting game in the standings. FIFA's British clubs traveling outside the United Kingdom prompts the move. FC Seattle had been scheduled to host Aston Villa and West Bromwich Albion, both of England's First Division. Two other friendlies, versus Sarajevo's Zeljeznicar and Mexico's Leon are canceled.

Loggers' Smith Takes Goal Total to 21
November 3, 1985

Puget Sound finishes the season with a win over Whitworth, 2-1, their 11th of the season. It's more than double what the Loggers achieved in the last two years, combined. Senior Matt Smith scores his record 21st goal to go along with seven assists. Freshman Todd Holman gets his 15th goal.

SPU Starts Fast
September 16, 1985

Behind the four goals of Glenn Lurie, Seattle Pacific romps to its sixth straight victory to start the season, 8-0 at Cal Poly Pomona. Five of the Falcons' wins have been shutouts, including back-to-back 4-nil wins over St. Mary's and Santa Clara, both Division I programs. Lurie scores seven goals during the streak.

Cozars Runners-Up Once More
June 30, 1985

Tacoma Cozars are thwarted by Michelob Ladies of Dallas, 3-2, in the women’s national final in St. Louis. Michelle Akers converts a penalty to make it 1-1, but the Texans go in front 3-1 by halftime. Kathy Ridgewell’s 68th minute goal sets the stage for a furious assault in the final stages. It’s the second year in a row Booth Gardner and Mike Ryan’s team has lost in a final. Lori Bylin and Akers gave Cozars a 2-0 semifinal win over Connecticut.

Carter Becomes UW Coach
August 3, 1985

Ron Carter is named Washington men’s head coach after guiding Bellevue Community College to the 1984 NWAAC title and 63-21-16 record in seven seasons. Carter, a London native and Boeing engineer, replaces Denny Buck, who resigned after two years (31-6-3) to enter private business.

Durgan Comes Home
May 20, 1985

U.S. National Team captain and Tacoma native Jeff Durgan, 23, returns home, spurning much bigger offers to sign for $250 per game with FC Seattle. Durgan was NASL Rookie of the Year with the Cosmos in 1980. Durgan becomes the fourth NASL veteran committing to FC Seattle, joining Brian Schmetzer, Robbie Zipp and Eddie Krueger.

It shows they didn't forget about Seattle. They wanted to come back and do something good. It showed good faith in Seattle fans that they tried to get something new going. I think its a great program.
Brian Schmetzer on former Sounders Jack Brand, Bruce Rioch and Jimmy Gabriel, being involved with FC Seattle
People in Seattle may be more interested in playing soccer than actually watching it. But I think there's a nucleus of fans in the area to put 6,000-8,000 fans in the stands each week.
Bob Walsh, consultant hired to help boost FC Seattle attendance
This could well be the forerunner of a new professional soccer league in North America. We'll operate the league within the bounds of what makes economic sense. The key words here are patience and smallness.
FC Seattle president Jack Brand on the formation of the four-team Western Soccer Alliance
Freddie was originally hired as vice-president of operations, but stepped forward when the team needed coaching experience. Now Bob's had a year and a half (as assistant coach) to learn indoor strategy. We feel he can provide the added ingredient we need to make the playoffs
Tacoma Stars president John Best on reversing his 1983 demotion of Bob McNab and naming Freddie Goodwin head coach
My feet were killing me. I had blisters all over my feet from those outdoor shoes. I couldn't get my breath.
Tacoma's Mark Peterson on switching from indoor play to joining the USMNT for a World Cup qualifier
The Cosmos offered me a great deal of money FC Seattle offered the chance to have a positive effect on soccer. FC Seattle offered involvement with a club dedicated to youth, dedicated to the American player and dedicated to the development of both.
Tacoma native Jeff Durgan on spurning a big contract in New York to play back home for $250 per game.
Brent was supposed to play for the national team again this week, but he turned them down to play for us instead.
FC Portland coach Clive Charles, after Tacoma's Brent Goulet scores first goal in win over FC Seattle
I don't find it difficult coaching boys. I've coached for 13 years, and I coached a boys' high-school team in Vallejo, California. I have put down some requirements that maybe they haven't had to meet before though. I expect discipline.
Betty Ellis, new boys' coach at Tacoma's Tahoma High School. In 1981, Ellis became the first woman to officiate an NASL match.
When it comes down to any big match we play, the difference is Brent. We may be equal in 10 positions, but nobody else has a Goulet. I think he’s the best striker in America, at any level.
Warner Pacific coach and former Sounder Bernie Fagan on Tacoma's Brent Goulet
I'd like to think that by playing in the Kingdome we have solved the weather problem. We had three practices canceled last week, and so far this week we've trained at an indoor soccer facility and on our basketball court here at school. It's hard to win games without at least some practice. But the way our week has been going, I wouldn't be surprised if it started snowing in the Dome sometime during the game.
Seattle Pacific coach Cliff McCrath on the effect of record snowfall on practices and NCAA semifinal being moved indoors
It’s a historic occasion. For the first time I see someone taking American soccer in the right direction.
Professor Juio Mazzei, former Cosmos coach and Pele confidant, on FC Seattle's approach to developing local talent
Indoor soccer hurts America's image around the world. It's a joke. Indoor soccer was the major contributor to our elimination in the World Cup. Our players came from the indoor season and they weren't in shape. They were not ready and they got burned to death. All the indoor game is doing is taking the American public away from reality.
Alkis Panagoulias, USMNT coach, on the ill-effect indoor has on America's future
He's got potential that is absolutely unlimited in terms of shooting power and ball-handling skills. How hard he wants to work will be the key as to how much success he has.
Bob McNab, Tacoma Stars coach, on his prized offseason signing 22-year-old Predrag Radosavljević (a.k.a. Preki)
College & High School All-America (USC)
Player (Hometown) School (Div/Team/Pos)
David Wittrell (Seattle) Seattle Pacific (D2/2nd/D)
Linda Bostjancic (Issaquah) Western Washington (NAIA/2nd/M)
Sonya Brandt (Gresham, Or.) Pacific Lutheran (NAIA/1st/F)
Shelley Flack (Everett) Puget Sound (NAIA/1st/F)
Brent Goulet (Tacoma) Warner Pacific (NAIA/1st/F)
Shelly Simmons (Des Moines) Puget Sound (NAIA/2nd/F)
Collegiate Men's Records
Evergreen n/a
Gonzaga 0-13-1
Pacific Lutheran 12-8-1
Puget Sound 11-8-0
Seattle University 2-16-0
Seattle Pacific 20-3-0
Washington 11-6-0
Western Washington 10-9-1
Whitman 6-10-4
Whitworth 8-14-3
Collegiate Women's Records
Evergreen 5-10-1
Pacific Lutheran 14-5-1
Puget Sound 6-6-2
Seattle University 2-10-1
Western Washington 10-6-0
Whitman 9-5-6
State Youth Recreational Cup Winners
Age BoysGirls
U12 Thunderbirds (FWSA)Her-ricanes (CYSF)
U11 Sounders (FWSA)Shooting Stars (HSA)
U13 Sting (CYSA)Tracyton Tigers (KPYSA)
U14 FC Sounders (TCYSA)BC Bombers (TCYSA)
U15 Sounders (YYSA)Doll-Fins (SYSA)
U16 Express (AYSA)Net Rippers (FWSA)
U17 Thunder (TPCJSA)Banditos (KYSA)
U19 Blazers (KYSA)Amocats (TPCJSA)
Washington State Youth Champions
Age BoysGirls
U11 Tidelands Leopards (CYSF)Wildcats (FWSA)
U12 Cobras (KYSA)Lake Hills Nitro (EYSA)
U13 Phoenix (NCYSA)Spirit (FWSA)
U14 Wildpack (FWSA)Zodiax (SSCJSA)
U15 Lions (FWSA)Seattle United Royals (SYSA)
U16 Force (FWSA)FC Royals (TPCJSA)
U17 Hawks (EYSA)none
U19 Kickers (SYSA)Pepsi Stompers (HAS)
WIAA Championship Games
Boys 4A Thomas Jefferson 3Mead 2 OT
Boys 3A Nathan Hale 2North Thurston 0
Boys 1A Seattle Christian 1Bellevue Christian 0
Girls 4A Highline 1Thomas Jefferson 0
Girls 3A Shorecrest 3Lakeside 2
On this Day in History
December 10, 2016
Stefan Frei pulls off the save of the season in extra time and Roman Torres applies the finishing touch in penalty kicks for Sounders FC to cap the unlikeliest of comebacks to claim a first MLS Cup in sub-freezing temperatures in Toronto. Frei extends his frame to bat away Jozy Altidore's header in 108th minute of a 0-0 draw. Seattle is out-shot 19-3 with Frei saving seven, plus another in the shootout. Brad Evans, Andreas Ivanschitz, Joevin Jones and Nico Lodeiro score their shootout attempts over the first five rounds. After Justin Morrow hits the crossbar, Torres rams his decisive penalty down the middle for a 5-4 margin. Since a midseason coaching change, the Sounders go a combined 12-3-5 in league and playoffs.
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January 4, 2020
Nicole Van Dyke is hired as Washington’s third head coach in program history after spending the past five seasons leading Pennsylvania of the Ivy League. Van Dyke guided the Quakers to one Ivy League championship and a record of 41-24-15. Prior to Penn, she was rooted on the West Coast, beginning as a player at Cal State Bakersfield and her first head coaching position, at 23, with Cal State Stanislaus. From 2011-14 Van Dyke served on the Stanford staff, her final season as associate head coach. The Cardinal won their first NCAA title in 2011 and reached the semifinals two of the next three seasons. Van Dyke succeeds Lesle Gallimore, who coached the Huskies for 26 seasons and 15 NCAA tournament berths.
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December 8, 1968
A pair of Bert Lerch goals propels Seattle Heidelberg to a 3-2 upset win over the Seattle Hungarians in the Northwest final of the U.S. Open Cup at White Center. Ed Carrillo scores the other Heidelberg goal, while Les Mueller, back from playing semipro football, scores twice for the Magyars. For the first time in five years, the Hungarians will not advance out of the Northwest.
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July 5, 2019
While the World Cup and many of their top performers play on, Reign FC keeps piling up points, winning their third match in a row at Portland, 1-0, to take over the top spot in the NWSL. Celia Jimenez Delgado opens her RFC (5-1-5) account, smashing a rocket off of a rebound into the net in the 55th minute, momentarily quieting the crowd of 19,116 at Providence Park. All three wins have come on the road, and all shutouts for the defense and Casey Murphy.
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