Having It All

2005 – Around the World and Close to Home

Hurricane Katrina strikes the Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama coasts with New Orleans taking a direct hit and massive flooding claiming 1,600 lives. Angela Merkel becomes Germany’s first female Chancellor. YouTube goes live, enabling mass sharing of videos. In Washington, a statewide anti-smoking law goes into effect, banning smoking in all public places and work areas. Tri-Cities celebrate the Lewis & Clark Expedition’s bicentennial. The Seahawks go 13-3 en route to their first NFC championship and Super Bowl appearance.

Having It All

Seemingly since the dawn of time, Puget Sound lacked the quality and quantity of field space to meet the demand of players, youth and adults. Finally, in 2005, an angel appeared, and his name was Chris Slatt.

A software executive and entrepreneur, Slatt became an angel investor and founder of Starfire Sports, which celebrated its grand opening in Tukwila in April. Festivities featured 96 teams from around the Northwest competing in a tournament on eight outdoor soccer fields, four of them lighted with an artificial surface.

Three years earlier, Slatt, Steve Beck and Mark Bickham approached the City of Tukwila after Fort Dent Park was obtained from King County. Starfire signed a 40-year lease and invested $10 million in developing the campus, including a stadium and fieldhouse (four softball fields are also part of the facility). Through Starfire's investment, taxpayers could be saved $12 million in operation costs over 40 years.

The biggest beneficiary, however, is the soccer community. There are more than 40,000 players in King County, with most wandering from field to field, sometimes town to town, and often sharing fields when they found it.

You just had to make do," said Craig Danielson, president of Highline Premier Soccer. "Running from school to school, there's never any consistency. The Starfire facility has all the amenities to take care of these kids."

"They were very forward-thinking when they designed it," said Dick Mohrmann, president of the Washington State Youth Soccer Association. "It will help with the growing need for fields and give us another place to hold our state tournaments."

Tim Busch, president of the Washington State Soccer Association, said, "It looks like it's going to be a first-class facility. That should lend itself to regional and possibly national tournaments. The new turf will allow much more (usage) than grass fields. Plus, the location is close to the airport."

"The buildings, the fields — it's awesome, unbelievable," said David Herrera, 22, who looked forward to days when his team in La Liga Hispana gets to use the Starfire fields.

The Seattle Sounders' first Starfire date was a U.S. Open Cup game, and nine days later packed the stadium with over 3,200 fans for USL match versus Portland. Later, the Sounders hosted two playoff games due to scheduling conflicts at Qwest Field. In all, they went 3-0-1 at Starfire en route to winning the USL championship.

Slatt took out $14 million in loans and formed partnerships with corporations, government, sports teams and community organizations. Maintaining Starfire will cost more than $500,000 a year, Slatt said. The county was losing $300,000 a year operating the park before.

The complex will earn revenue by advertising on the fields, user fees and corporate partnerships. Adult teams will pay in the range of $95 an hour for the FieldTurf fields, while youth teams will be charged about $60 an hour.

Slatt, a former technology entrepreneur, said his dream for the community came from the way sports helped his own two daughters. "When your kids are young, you hope you might raise the next Mia Hamm," he said. "As they get older, you realize that their success today is directly related to their experience on the soccer team. Understanding teamwork, how to set goals, what you do when you lose."

The Sounders' first championship in nine years (and third overall) resulted from a late-season postseason resurgence. They had won just two of their final 10 regular season games. Opening the playoffs with a Roger Levesque-fueled sweep of arch-rival Portland (3-0, aggregate), fourth-seeded Seattle then upset Montreal on the road in the semifinal second leg, 2-1 (3-2, aggregate).

Richmond, the sixth seed, was the unlikely opponent in the final, to be played at Qwest Field. After falling behind the Kickers early, the Sounders got a tying goal late from Cuban defector Maykel Galindo before prevailing in penalties

Year in Review
SEATTLE SOUNDERS
Season Record
11-6-11, 4th USL regular season, Champion
Coach
Brian Schmetzer (4th year)
Best XI
Taylor Graham
Top Scorer
Roger Levesque (6 goals)
U.S. Open Cup
Seattle Sounders, 3rd round
COLLEGIATE
Men's Collegiate Postseason
Seattle Pacific, D2 2nd rnd Whitworth, D3, semifinals
Women's Collegiate Postseason
Gonzaga, D1 1st rnd Seattle Pacific, D2, finalist Puget Sound, D3 quarterfinals
Men's Conference Champions
Seattle University (GNAC), Whitworth (NWC)
Women's Conference Champions
Seattle Pacific (GNAC), Puget Sound (NWC)
NWAC Men's Champion
Wenatchee Valley d Walla Walla, 2-0
NWAC Women's Champion
Clackamas d Walla Walla, 2-1 OT
Players
121,598 (87,550 boys 34,048 girls)
Largest Attendance
15,831, USMNT v Cuba, Qwest Field

2005: Having It All

Applause all-around as a world-class facility and a championship come to Puget Sound.

Seattle Pacific Ousts Sonoma State
November 12, 2005

Seattle Pacific, getting a first-half header from Colin Rigby and a late score by Jeff Hallenbeck, wins its sixth in a row, ousting Sonoma State from the NCAA Division II tournament, 2-0, at Carson, Ca. It's the fourth straight shutout and 11th overall for Kellen Rosten, who makes seven saves, including a second-half breakaway. The Falcons extend host Cal State Dominguez Hills to overtime two days later, falling 2-1 on a Kei Kamara goal.

Solo Blanks Germany in Algarve Final
March 15, 2005

Hope Solo keeps a clean sheet versus Germany as the USWNT wins the Algarve Cup, 1-0, in Faro, Portugal. Solo, 23, and playing for Olympique Lyonnais, makes two saves and does not allow a goal in her three tournament starts. She goes on to start seven games altogether in 2005, all shutouts.

Keller Backstops US Win
July 9, 2005

Kasey Keller earns the shutout as 15,109 see the USMNT struggle to put away Canada, 2-0, in Gold Cup Group B play at Qwest Field. Canada gifts the U.S. an own goal early in the second half, and Landon Donovan tallies a header in added time. Keller, playing his first competitive game in Seattle, is rarely tested. The win assures the USMNT of advancing to the quarterfinals. Bruce Arena used 22 of his 23 players in the two Seattle games.

Cougars Win, Ending Miserable Huskies' Campaign
November 4, 2005

Carmen Anderson heads home a first-half corner kick as Washington State wins the Apple Cup, 1-0, to complete a winless Washington campaign at Husky Soccer Field. Losing their last 10 in a row, the Huskies finish 0-17-3, 13 of those losses by one goal. UW had reached the NCAA quarterfinal the previous season and posted seven consecutive seasons at .500 or above, including five postseason appearances.

Puget Sound, Williams Post 20th Straight Shutout
November 18, 2005

Katie Wullbrandt converts in the ninth round of penalty kicks to lift Puget Sound past Macalester and into an NCAA Division III quarterfinal berth in Chicago. Neither team could find the back of the net for 110 minutes of regulation and two overtimes. After Erin Williams's save in the top of the ninth round, Wullbrandt scores to clinch advancement, 0-0 (8-7). Williams makes five saves for her 20th consecutive shutout and 50th of her career. Puget Sound (20-0-2) has not allowed a goal since the opening game Sept. 10. The Loggers fall to Chicago, 1-0 in overtime, in the quarterfinals.

Besagno Named Nation's Top Player
May 16, 2005

Nik Besagno is named Parade Magazine High School Player of the Year. Besagno will graduate from Edison Academy in Florida in a few days. Earlier he attended Kennedy High in Burien.

Tournament Vital for HIV/AIDS Testing
September 3, 2005

The second annual Kick HIV/AIDS Away tournament brings 16 teams to Tukwila to compete but, more importantly, to learn about HIV/AIDS awareness and have an opportunity to be tested for the disease. Fourteen of the entries are teams with players from African countries and the Caribbean. Over 100 players commit to being tested over the two weekends of the tournament, hosted by Public Health — Seattle & King County.

Vancouver Native Debuts for USWNT
July 10, 2005

Vancouver, Washington's Tina Frimpong Ellertson makes her first appearance for the USWNT in Portland versus Ukraine (7:0). Ellertson is a recent University of Washington graduate now playing forward for the Sounders Women.

Robinswood to Add Turf
April 19, 2005

A plan by Eastside FC to install artificial turf at Bellevue's Robinswood Park by increasing user fees receives support from the city. Bellevue's City Council approves funding for an engineering plan to get the project going, with a target completion of 2007.

WA Sends 2 to U17 World Cup
September 9, 2005

Nik Besagno of Maple Valley and Preston Zimmerman of Pasco are named to the U.S. National Team roster for the FIFA U17 World Championship in Peru. Zimmerman, who plays for Crossfire Premier while Besagno, now with Real Salt Lake, played in two games and Zimmerman started all four as the Americans advanced to the quarterfinals.

Shorecrest Gets First Boys' Title Since '79
June 4, 2005

Shorecrest sends retiring coach Teddy Mitalas out a winner, taking the boys' 3A state championship, 1-0 over Ferndale at Sumner. An own goal in the 40th minute accounts for the only goal after the Scots had won their semifinal over Mount Rainier also 1-nil. Mitalas's 17-year run ends as he watches from a restaurant patio across the street from Sunset Chev Stadium he had been red-carded from the semifinal.

Shadow Overcome By Surge
July 24, 2005

Brett Hite completes a hat trick in just six minutes of the second half, but it comes too late for the Spokane Shadow as they fall, 4-3, to the Cascade Surge in Salem, Ore. The Surge had clinched the PDL Northwest Division by blasting the Shadow, 5-1, in Spokane nine days earlier. This proves to be end of the club's 10-season run.

SPU Effectively Dethrones Seattle U
November 5, 2005

James Coggan rises from the bench to score the winner and Kellen Rosten denies a penalty kick as Seattle Pacific effectively ends the NCAA Division II championship reign of crosstown rival Seattle University, 1-0, before 600 at Interbay Stadium. Coggan's header from a Matt Kemper free kick breaks the stalemate in the 61st minute. Two minutes earlier, Rosten saves Alex Chursky's penalty attempt and Cam Weaver sends the rebound over the bar. SPU, with its first win in the series since 2000, all but clinches a postseason berth while denying SU.

Levesque Strikes, Again and Again
September 18, 2005

For the second match in a row, Roger Levesque levies the decisive blow, and for the second year in a row the Sounders send the Timbers out of the USL 1 playoffs. Seattle gets goals from Levesque in either half to beat Portland, 2-0, at Starfire Stadium and 3-0 on aggregate. Levesque scored the winner in the second minute of the first leg two days earlier. He strikes in the fifth minute of the second game and leaves no doubt with another goal at 54'.

Kelso Field Complex Gets Approval
November 15, 2005

The Kelso City Council agrees, with certain stipulations, to allow the Kelso Soccer Club to build a soccer field complex on a 9-acre stretch along the Cowlitz River. With a land-use agreement in hand, the soccer club applies for a U.S. Soccer grant, which the club estimates will be $284,000. If the soccer club is awarded the money, the fields should be ready for play by fall 2007.

SPU Women Reach Final
December 3, 2005

Seattle Pacific's dream season is shattered suddenly 3 minutes into overtime of the NCAA Division II women's championship game by Nebraska-Omaha, 2-1, in Wichita Falls, Tex. Megan Lienhard's 8th-minute goal staked SPU to the lead, albeit briefly, as UNO tied it two minutes later. Featuring 13 in-state players, the Falcons, unbeaten until the final, came from behind to edge Carson-Newman, 3-2, in the semifinal on Carolyn Nason's header from a corner. SPU finished 20-1-4 in just its fifth season of existence.

CONCACAF Coming to Qwest Field
January 25, 2005

The CONCACAF Gold Cup will hold first-round group play at Qwest Field, with doubleheaders to be played on a grass surface July 7 and 9. The teams and pairings are to be determined in March.

Fort Dent Becomes Starfire Sports
April 23, 2005

A longtime park that is transformed into a much-need 54-acre state-of-the art athletic facility celebrates its grand opening as Starfire Sports. On its first official weekend, 96 soccer teams and 62 softball teams from around the Pacific Northwest compete in tournaments at the $14 million complex. Local officials, including King County Executive Ron Sims and Tukwila Mayor Steve Mullet, turn out for a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Known historically as Tukwila's Fort Dent Park, Starfire is the largest artificial-surface soccer complex in the U.S, and altogether it features eight fields plus four softball diamonds. An 80,000-square-foot indoor athletic center also holds the two indoor soccer fields. CEO Chris Slatt envisions Starfire, a non-profit organization, being open to people of all backgrounds and abilities, supporting free programs for underprivileged kids. Some training programs are conducted by coaches sent from Manchester United.

Hahnemann Stones Guatemala
September 57, 2005

Marcus Hahnemann makes his World Cup Qualifer debut by posting a road shutout, 0-0, for the USMNT at Guatemala City. Hahnemann stops five shots, none bigger than a diving left-handed swat of a Guatemala effort in the 71st minute.

Court Restores LWYSA Board Authority
February 24, 2005

A court ruling returns control of the Lake Washington Youth Soccer Association to is original board and executive director by way of a temporary restraining order. The Washington State Youth Soccer Association had suspended effective Dec. 7, 2004. That meant the association couldn't compete in state-sanctioned matches. LWYSA serves 6,500 youth and operates 16 Eastside soccer fields.

Gonzaga Women Earn First NCAA Berth
November 7, 2005

For the first time in the program’s 15-year history Gonzaga is going to the NCAA women's tournament. Shannon Stiles guides the Bulldogs to an at-large berth after finishing a best-ever third in the WCC. They will meet 16th-ranked Southern California in Fullerton. GU may be getting in at the expense of Washington State, which tied for fifth in the Pac-10 and was 2-0-1 vs. tournament-bound teams.

Sabrowski Free Kick is Whitworth OT Winner
November 20, 2005

Todd Sabrowski's free kick early in overtime gives 5th-ranked Whitworth a 2-1 victory over No. 4 Trinity (Tex.) in an NCAA Division III quarterfinal at Whitworth Field. Trinity goes up 1-0 in the 52nd minute, and the Pirates wait until there is 7:15 left in the game to pull level. Chris Johnson is on the end of a combination starting with Ali Seyedali finding Niko Varlamos. Sabrowski scores his first free kick of the season from 23 yards. By winning its 13th in a row, Whitworth becomes the first team from Washington to reach a D3 semifinal.

Longview Player Aids Pilots Title
December 4, 2004

Longview's Lisa Sari starts all 25 games in holding midfield for Portland, including the NCAA Division I final, a 4-0 triumph over UCLA. It was the Pilots' second College Cup championship in four seasons. Sari previously played for Tacoma's FC Royals and Mark Morris High School. Joining her on the UP squad is Gold Bar's Katie Brown.

A Century Later, Oysterville Resumes Play
October 12, 2005

In what locals believe is the first organized soccer played in tiny Oysterville in over a hundred years, a boys and girls first grade-kindergarten match opens Ocean Beach Youth League's season. At the turn of the 19th century the sport was quite popular in Oysterville and surround Willipa Bay communities, with teams taking on all-comers from the Peninsula, Pacific County, and from across the Columbia in Oregon.

Late Levesque Goal Sends Seattle Onward
September 25, 2005

Roger Levesque's 90th-minute goal in the second leg sends the Sounders to the USL 1 final with a 2-1 road win over the defending champion and top-seeded Montreal Impact. After a 2-2 draw in the first leg, Seattle wins the series 4-3 on aggregate. Despite missing starters Zach Scott, Leighton O'Brien and Maykel Galindo, the Sounders strike first on Brent Whitfield's rebound follow at 59'. Charles Gbeke ties at 72', his third goal of the series. With overtime looming, Levesque's shot from 20 yards deflects off a defender's foot and dips behind Montreal keeper Greg Sutton for the game-winner at 89:48.

Tahoma Takes A Third Girls' Title
November 19, 2005

Completing a run of six straight shutouts to end the season, Tahoma takes the girls' 4A state championship, 2-0, over previously unbeaten Richland at Lakewood. Whitney Gilson and Daniela Gonzalez score in each half for the Bears, who won titles in 1986 and 2001. It was Tahoma's 15th clean sheet and came against a Bombers team that had scored 82 goals. Jodi Palmer has 12 complete shutouts.

Raiders Reach Seven Boys' Titles
June 4, 2005

Lamar Neagle's second-half penalty kick proves the difference as Thomas Jefferson wins its record seventh 4A boys' crown, 2-1, against Pasco at Sumner. The Raiders trailed after 28 minutes on Bryce Wilson's opener for the Bulldogs. Nine minutes later TJ equalized when Tyler Hanson put home Brand Sprague's free kick. Neagle's penalty comes in the 43rd minute and is enough for his team's 10th win in a row and first title since 1994.

Bjorgo Assists, Geoducks Romp
October 22, 2005

Jason Bjorgo assists on a record five goals as Evergreen rebounds from a loss to swamp Cascade, 8-0, in Olympia. Bjorgo scores in his next outing, an overtime win over Warner Pacific.

Seattle U's McAlister is Player of the Year
January 3, 2005

Seattle University's Bobby McAlister is named the 2004 NCAA Division II Men's Soccer Player of the Year by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. McAlister set SU and Great Northwest Athletic Conference season records for goals (22), points (49) and game-winning goals (11) while leading the Redhawks to a 22-0-1 record and the school's first Div. II national title. He scored both game-winning goals in the Redhawks' two matches at the Division II Final Four in December.

Solo, Frimpong Represent U.S. Near Home
July 10, 2005

Northwest Hires First Women's Coach
November 9, 2005

Northwest University hires Erin Redwine (née Roberts) as the Eagles' coach for their inaugural season in 2006. A native of Issaquah, Redwine played for Montana, Seattle Pacific (captain for its first season) and the Sounders Women.

Road Win Clinches Playoff Berth, Finally
September 4, 2005

Roger Levesque's second-half goal gives the Seattle Sounders a much-delayed, playoff-clinching, 2-1 victory at Atlanta. Seattle had blown leads in four consecutive games and gone winless (0-2-5) for more than a month. Leighton O'Brien's header puts the visitors in front, only to be caught by the Silverbacks in the 54th minute. Nine minutes later, Levesque gets his team-leading sixth goal after Taylor Graham's initial shot rebounds off the left post.

Timbers Oust Sounders from USOC
July 12, 2005

Seattle drops a 2-0 decision to the Timbers in Portland in third round of the U.S. Open Cup. "It's a $30-, $40- or $50-thousand loss for us," says Bart Wiley, Sounders assistant general manager. "It's very disappointing, especially after we just thumped them."

Supporters Group Forms
April 30, 2005

A small group of Sounders fans organizes in Seahawks Stadium's Section 113, adjacent to the players' entrance tunnel. They beat a drum, sing, wave flags and call themselves the Emerald City Supporters. Approximately two dozen members make the first bus trip to Portland.

SPU Women Knock-Off No. 1 Metro
November 19, 2005

Seattle Pacific knocks out top-ranked Metro State via penalty kicks in the regional championship game at Interbay Stadium, 0-0 (5-4), with Shannon Lovejoy hitting the decisive kick. The 2nd-ranked Falcons become the first GNAC program to reach a women's NCAA Division II semifinal. Jennifer Burns makes four for her third straight postseason shutout. The Roadrunners' (23-1-0) 30-goal scorer, Kylee Hanavan, shoots wide left in the second round of the tiebreaker. Meanwhile, SPU converts all five.

Sounders Go Distance to Win Title
October 1, 2005

In his 262nd and final game, Scott Jenkins strikes the deciding shootout penalty kick in seventh round, giving the Sounders the USL 1 Championship over the Richmond Kickers, 1-1 (4-3) before 8,011 at Qwest Field. Preston Burpo's six saves in regular play to earn game MVP. Burpo ends his ninth season with a club record 46 shutouts (38 in league play). Cuban defector Maykel Galindo sent the game into extra time with his 73rd minute equalizer, his first goal for Seattle. It was also the final game for retiring assistant coach Jimmy Gabriel.

4 Adult Teams Earn National Titles
June 26, 2005

Four adult teams from Washington win Veterans Cup crowns in Wilmington, N.C. Northwest Connection in the Women's Over-40 division, Who Cares in Women's Over-55, Tri-Alliance in Men's Over-40 and Forza in Women's Over-30.

Sounders Run Reaches 10 Games
July 2, 2005

Welton ignites a three-goal second half as the Seattle Sounders come back to beat Minnesota 3-1 away & extend their unbeaten run to 10 games (7-0-3) in league and 11 in all competitions.

Camas Strikes Early, Dethrones Issaquah
November 19, 2005

Camas becomes the first girls' team from southwest Washington to claim a state big school championship, dethroning defending champion Issaquah, 2-0, at Harry Lang Stadium. Christina Stulbarg scores in the third minute and assists on Taylor Wehring's clincher in the 68th. It's Stulberg's eighth goal in the last eight outings, and Amanda Johnson makes seven saves for the Papermakers (18-0-2). The Eagles are without star Kate Deines, who left for U16 youth national team duty after scoring the overtime winner in Issaquah's semifinal victory over Cedarcrest.

All Nations Cup Grows at Starfire
July 31, 2005

The third annual All Nations Cup final is won by the United States, 1-0, in double overtime against Brazil at Starfire. Organized by Sister Communities, participation has nearly tripled since the first year, to 33 teams made up of Northwest athletes representing their native countries.

Hall Earns Records as SDSU Reaches Postseason
November 6, 2005

Gig Harbor’s Tally Hall earns his record 12th shutout as San Diego State draws, 0-0, at Stanford, all but assuring the Aztecs of their first NCAA tournament appearance since 1989. Hall will go on to finish second nationally with a 0.49 goals against average, also a school record. SDSU falls to eventual NCAA champion UC Santa Barbara, 2-0, in the tournament’s first round.

Fish Denies Redhawks
November 3, 2005

Teresa Fish makes nine saves as Western Washington holds Seattle University to scoreless home draw. Fish, who blanks Central Washington two days later, finishes with four shutouts in her final four games as a Viking and finishes with a career record 31. She plays all but 26 minutes of her final three seasons. The Redhawks had scored 13 goals in their previous three games.

Solo Finishes U.S. Season Spotless
October 23, 2005

Hope Solo's season with the U.S. Women's National Team finishes unblemished with a 3-0 shutout of Mexico in Charleston, S.C. Solo makes five saves. She does not allow a goal in any of her seven matches in 2005, her first extended run as the starter in goal.

UPS Wins, Sets Records in Process
November 13, 2005

Erin Williams makes four saves to collect her 19th shutout of the season as Puget Sound eliminates Emory from the NCAA Division III tournament, 2-0, in a second-round game in Atlanta. The 8th-ranked Loggers get the only goal they need in 41st minute, Megan Shivers heads in Elizabeth Pitman's corner kick. It is Pitman's record 14th assist. Adrienne Folsomput the Loggers beyond reach in the 75th minute.

Whitworth Concludes Best-Ever Season
November 25, 2005

Whitworth comes up short in its bid to reach the NCAA Division III final, falling to Minnesota's Gustavo Adolphus, 2-1, in semifinal at Greensboro, N.C. Skye Henderson scores for the Pirates. Their first loss in 18 games concludes their best-ever season, setting records for total victories (19) and winning percentage (.886).

Pirates' Playoff Run Begins with Redlands
November 12, 2005

Three goals in the first 33 minutes send Whitworth on its way to the NCAA Division III third round with a 4-0 spanking of Redlands at home. Chris Johnson's first of two goals comes in the 20th minute, and Niko Varlamos and Matt Friesen quickly increase the lead.

Hahnemann, Keller Lift Gold Cup
July 24, 2005

Kasey Keller makes a point-blank save in extra time and another in the penalty-kick tiebreaker, enabling the USMNT to win its third Gold Cup over Panama 0-0 (3-1) in East Rutherford, N.J. In all, Keller made five saves to earn the clean sheet. He stops the first Panama shootout attempt by Luis Tejada. Two later attempts hit the crossbar and sail high.

Seattle U's Porter Becomes GNAC Assist Leader
September 24, 2005

Leah Wymer's hat trick and Ashley Porter's three assists lead Seattle University past Northwest Nazarene, 6-0, at Championship Field. Porter, a senior, becomes the GNAC career leader in assists and goes on to total 14 for the season.

Seattle U Continues Dominance of SPU
October 8, 2005

Cam Weaver and Bobby McAlister lead Seattle University to its fifth straight win over crosstown rival 9th-ranked Seattle Pacific, 2-1 at Championship Field. Weaver puts SU up at 17' on a cross from Santa Maria Rivera. In the 64th minute, McAlister dribbles past several defenders before firing from 17 yards and a 2-nil lead. The defending NCAA champion Redhawks are 8-0-1 vs. the Falcons since 2000.

Maple Valley's Besagno Goes No. 1
January 14, 2005

Nikolas Besagno of Maple Valley, is taken with the No. 1 overall pick in the MLS SuperDraft by expansion franchise Real Salt Lake. Besagno was chosen by RSL coach John Ellinger, who earlier had coached him at the U.S. U17 Youth Residency program in Florida. Just two months past his 16th birthday, Besagno is the second-youngest player ever drafted by MLS. Earlier, the midfielder attended Kennedy High School and played for F.C. United. His brother Jacob was a member of the Seattle University team that won the 2004 NCAA Division II championship. Washington's C.J. Klaas, a two-time All-American, was chosen 32nd overall by San Jose, and Tim Merritt, a graduate of Tacoma's Bellarmine Prep, was 48th overall to D.C. United.

Cuban Defects During Gold Cup
July 9, 2005

A member of the Cuba National Team, later named as Maykel Galindo, defects during his team's stay in Seattle for the Gold Cup. The player got on an evening bus in North Seattle. The driver, despite a language barrier, realized the man had an immigration issue and contacted Seattle police. A Spanish-speaking officer confirmed Galindo was indeed asking for asylum.

Sounders Make Most of Moves
July 8, 2005

After drawing overflow crowd of 3,204 for 4-2 win over Portland, Seattle Sounders owner Adrian Hanauer says he will consider moving future matches to Tukwila to create more intimacy. Starfire CEO Chris Slatt said he would love to discuss the possibility of becoming the home stadium of the Sounders, who were forced to change venues because of conflicting Gold Cup games at Qwest Field.

Seattle Pacific Women Off to 11-0-0 Start
September 28, 2005

Shannon Lovejoy delivers the golden goal 6on a penalty kick :17 into overtime, extending No. 2-ranked Seattle Pacific’s win streak to 11 games to open the season with a 2-1 victory over Western Washington at Interbay. Lovejoy’s through ball to Samantha Hufford opens the scoring in the 35th minute, but Western rallies in the dying seconds of regulation to force extra time on Katie Warner’s 22-yard shot over Jennifer Burns. SPU has not lost in its last 48 regular-season games (46-0-2) and is unbeaten in its past 36 GNAC contests (35-0-1).

Gonzaga Rolls On, Earns Record 12th Win
November 5, 2005

Gonzaga's late-season surge continues as the Bulldogs blank San Francisco, 3-0 in the final regular season game at Martin Field. Beth Drollinger and Nanda McCormick notch first-half goals and Jamie Blanche adds another in the second half. Ashley Haugen's five saves earn her sixth straight shutout and 11th of the season, a program record. Gonzaga also sets a program record with its 12th win and has not allowed a goal since Oct. 9, going unbeaten (3-0-3) during that span.

SPU Wins Far West with Bang-Bang Goals
November 12, 2005

Goals less than three minutes apart separate No. 2 Seattle Pacific from No.13 UC San Diego in the NCAA Division II Far West Region final, 2-0, at Interbay. Meredith Teague and Sarah Martinez score early in the second half. Teague’s 35-yard cross floats beyond the Toreros keeper and in. Martinez nets her 16th goal in the 54th minute from the right edge of the box. SPU has never previously made it past the second round of the national tournament. Martinez also scored the overtime winner in a first-round victory over Chico State.

Kjar Celebrates UPS Senior Day with Hat Trick
November 5, 2005

Despite a cold rain Cortney Kjar celebrates Puget Sound's senior day with three goals in a 4-0 victory over Pacific. It's one of seven multi-goal games, including two hat tricks, for Kjar. The Loggers win their 10th straight and finish NWC play undefeated (15-0-1). Kjar will finish her season with 22 goals for the second year in a row and a record 58 career goals.

Hahnemann Returns, To U.S and Home
July 7, 2005

A less experienced side featuring Bellevue's Marcus Hahnemann in his first appearance for the USMNT in nine years, beats Cuba, 4-1, in its Gold Cup opener before 15,831 at Qwest Field. Cuba went ahead in the 18th minute. Clint Dempsey scores shortly before halftime. Landon Donovan comes on as a substitute to put the U.S. in front on an 87th-minute free kick. Costa Rica defeats Canada, 1-0, in the other half of the doubleheader.

Redhawks Streak Reaches 16
August 25, 2005

A Bobby McAlister brace gives Seattle University its 16th straight win to open the season. The Redhawks, also unbeaten in 24 games (22-0-2) dating to Nov. 9, 2003, defeat Fresno Pacific, 3-1, at Chico, Ca. Chico State ends the SU run two days later.

Galindo Joins Sounders
September 9, 2005

Cuban defector Maykel Galindo, 24, is cleared to play for the Sounders by U.S. Soccer and starts In the final regular season game versus Montreal (1-0). Galindo, who's been in training for several weeks since his defection July 7, plays 67 minutes.

Grow Beyond Sixty Acres
October 28, 2005

A land swap involving King County, Lake Washington Technical College and Lake Washington Youth Soccer results in 35-acre Sixty Acres Park South transformed into eight new soccer fields in Redmond. Sixty Acres North already features 17 fields over about 60 acres.

Raney, Soriano Inducted to HoF
February 4, 2005

Bruce Raney and Sergio Soriano, the goalscorer and goalkeeper, respectively, of Seattle Pacific's first NCAA championship team are inducted into Falcon Legends Hall of Fame. SPU was the state's first national champion in 1978 with Raney scoring the overtime winner and fellow freshman Soriano getting the shutout in 1-0 victory over Alabama A&M. Soriano graduated as the career shutouts leader (42) and Raney still holds career goals record (68).

Western Honors French
November 5, 2005

Paula French of Tacoma is inducted into Western Washington's Hall of Fame after scoring 19 goals and going 49-5-5 during her career (1982-85). French also played for Cozars, a regional and national power amateur club.

Keller is U.S. Player of the Year Again
December 22, 2005

Kasey Keller is named U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year for an unprecedented third time after posting nine shutouts, including five in the final round of World Cup qualifying. Earlier in the month, Keller picked up his second Honda Player of the Year.

New Premiership Side Visits Qwest
July 20, 2005

Mick McCarthy's Sunderland, bound for England's Premiership after handily winning the Championship, visits Qwest Field for a friendly with the Sounders. A season-high crowd of 8,502 sees the Black Cats score late to win, 1-0.

Hibernian Saints Win U.S. Amateur
August 7, 2005

Goals from Ian Chursky and Cam Weaver propel Seattle's Hibernian & Caledonian Saints to victory in the U.S. Amateur Cup final in Frisco, Tex. Jimmy McAlister's Hibs & Caley hold off Baltimore Allied, 2-1, to become the third Washington side to win the competition. Chursky opens the scoring in the 32nd minute, and Weaver doubles it on an assist from Pat Doran in the 63rd.

Card-Marred Final Meeting of Shadow, Reds
July 22, 2005

Spokane wins its fifth in a row at the expense of Northwest Division rival Yakima in a card-marred match at Marquette Stadium. The Reds take a 1-nil lead in the 59th minute through Maykel Schafer, but then the referee issues three red cards over the next few minutes: two to the Shadow and one to Yakima. Although shorthanded, the Shadow ties it at 79' on a Manuel Arceo goal and wins it two minutes later when Brett Hite scores.

Besagno to Zimmerman for the Win
September 17, 2005

Preston Zimmerman of Pasco scores the late winner as the U.S. opens its U17 World Championships by beating North Korea, 3-2, in Chiclayo, Peru. Fellow Washingtonian Nik Besagno's pass enables Zimmerman to turn and score from six yards following a corner kick in the 72nd minute.

Whitman Inducts Thompson
May 7, 2005

Tina Thompson (Farley) of Seattle, an all-district midfielder and championship skier, is inducted into Whitman University's Hall of Fame. Thompson, after scoring 17 goals as a sophomore, capped her soccer career by leading Whitman to its first-ever berth in the NAIA West Coast Regionals in 1990. She was the 1991 Whitman Female Athlete of the Year.

Murray Powers PLU Past Willamette
November 5, 2005

Kevin Murray assists on a record four goals and scores a hat trick as Pacific Lutheran overwhelms Willamette, 9-0. Murray, the NWC leader in goals (15) and assists (11), is later voted conference offensive player of the year.

Heath, John State Players of Year
February 17, 2005

Hillary Heath of Garfield and George John of Shorewood are named Washington's Gatorade Soccer Players of the Year. Heath scored 36 goals and 16 assists in her career at Seattle's Garfield High and was KingCo 4A co-MVP and all-state. She will attend Stanford. John scored 14 goals and had 10 assists for the Thunderbirds last spring, earning All-WesCo South honors for the second straight year. He committed to Washington.

Falcons' Northwest Dominance Unquestioned
November 5, 2005

Seattle Pacific completes a fourth straight GNAC campaign virtually unscathed by beating Seattle University 3-0 at Interbay. The Falcons get a season-high seven saves from Jennifer Burns in recording their 27th shutout over a 44-game (40-0-4) conference unbeaten run. Shannon Lovejoy scores her third goal in two games after a brace vs. Central Washington midweek.

SPU Women Rally for Semifinal Win
December 1, 2005

Carolyn Nason's goal with 19 minutes remaining caps a two-goal comeback and sends Seattle Pacific into the NCAA Division II women's soccer championship game with a 3-2 victory over Carson-Newman. The unbeaten (20-0 4) and No. 2-ranked Falcons trail 2-1 before Shannon Lovejoy’s penalty kick in the 59th minute. In the 71st minute, Nason heads in a corner kick from Meredith Teague. It is Lovejoy's fifth successful penalty of the season, and the goal makes her the school and GNAC career goals leader with 42.

Ever since I was about 10 and realized there was a professional league, this has been my dream.
Nikolas Besagno of Maple Valley, after being chosen No. 1 overall in the MLS SuperDraft
The idea was to bring different people together to get people to understand each other better. Our mission is to foster relationships between different communities, and soccer is a great way to do that.
Jessica Breznau, executive director of Sister Communities, regarding the All Nations Cup
It's phenomenal. This is the culmination of a lot of hard work, vision and risk taking.
Chris Slatt, Starfire Sports CEO, upon opening the new $14M complex
In the world of local soccer, matches like this might be as good as it ever gets. Is Seattle a soccer town?
Ron Judd, Seattle Times columnist, following a turnout of 15,831 for Gold Cup matches on July 7
Other than Mike Tyson, I can’t find a similarly violent act by an athlete, and Tyson was suspended for a year. I think this should be dealt with in a strict fashion. I don’t want our league to become a circus.
Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer after Billy Sleeth is sent off for kicking Rochester's Bill Sedgewick, who had bitten Sleeth's calf
It's phenomenal. This is the culmination of a lot of hard work, vision and risk taking.
Chris Slatt, Starfire Sports CEO, on grad opening of facility
No one guessed it could have been like this. If it weren't so sad, it'd be funny.
UW coach Lesle Gallimore on her Huskies going from 17-5-1 in 2004 to 0-17-3 in 2005
If anybody wants to have a game for about 2,000 or 3,000 people, we'd like to talk to them about it. I think it's the best place in town for that size of crowd.
Chris Slatt, Starfire Sports CEO
Somebody reminded me afterward that my last touch of a ball is a winning goal, and that's pretty cool. It's storybook. How can you beat going out like this?
Scott Jenkins, who retires from the Seattle Sounders following the USL Championship Game win
I've worked with a lot of great coaches in my career, but I'd have to say it was my father, Fred Pingrey, who had the biggest influence. He loved soccer, but he loved teaching others even more. He taught me that there was more to being a coach than simply being an instructor. My dad ended up being a father figure to so many of my friends, and that was instilled in me to go all the way as a coach. I know what an influence a coach can have on a kid's life.
Dan Pingrey, coach of Snohomish High School boys and girls
We are happy to help a kid who is scared and lost and has had his world turned upside-down.
Sounders owner and GM Adrian Hanauer on the club's efforts to help Cuban Maykel Galindo's efforts to defect
Hope was incredible. In the Finland game, she had to make three great saves and close down a breakaway, and she got confidence and momentum from that game. Because of her performance there, we went with her in the Denmark game and she threw a shutout again.
USWNT coach Greg Ryan on Hope Solo's play at the Algarve Cup
For her to represent the United States of America was a very special moment for our whole family. She is a good example of a person who has persevered and worked hard. She's a role model for other kids to see. You still have an opportunity to make it in this country. You can do whatever you want to if you work hard.
Joe Frimpong, who came to the U.S. from Ghana at age 17, on seeing his daughter Tina make her USWNT debut
Kasey has been outstanding. I prefer to say defense is a team effort, but he alone has won us points.
Borussia Moenchengladbach coach Horst Koeppel on Kasey Keller's value
Qwest Field is a world-class venue for soccer or football, but it just doesn't feel very good when 3,000 or 4,000 people are there. There are benefits to a smaller venue. I do know that as MLS has more and more success, they lean more and more toward soccer-specific stadiums. Three or four years ago, I was highly confident that they would want to play in Qwest, but I'm not sure now.
Sounders owner Adrian Hanauer wonders if his club needs to downsize stadiums to create better atmosphere
Every single game in this tournament Kasey Keller made a big play for us. He has shown his quality the whole time.
Glenn Myernick, USMNT acting head coach, after winning the Gold Cup
College & High School All-America (USC)
Player (Hometown) School (Div/Team/Pos)
Mike Chabala (Fresno, Ca.) Washington (D1/3rd/M)
Shannon Lovejoy (Seattle) Seattle Pacific (D2/1st/M)
Sarah Martinez (Redmond) Seattle Pacific (D2/2nd/F)
Ross Vaillancourt (Manchester, N.H.) Seattle Pacific (D2/3rd/M)
Josh Hedrick (Auburn) Puget Sound (D3/3rd/M)
Courtney Kjar (Sandy, Ut.) Puget Sound (D3/1st/M)
Ryan Lawson (Gig Harbor) Puget Sound (D3/2nd/G)
Todd Sabrowski (Oregon City. Or.) Whitworth (D3/2nd/D)
Ali Seyedali (Kirkland, Wa.) Whitworth (D3/2nd/M)
Erin Williams (Vancouver) Puget Sound (D3/1st/G)
Nik Besagno (Maple Valley) Brandenton Prep (M)
Preston Zimmerman (Pasco) Brandenton Prep (D)
Collegiate Men's Records
Evergreen 13-6-0
Gonzaga 7-9-4
Northwest 5-11-0
Pacific Lutheran 12-8-0
Puget Sound 13-3-2
Seattle University 13-6-0
Seattle Pacific 15-3-3
Washington 10-7-2
Western Washington 3-16-1
Whitman 8-11-0
Whitworth 19-2-1
Collegiate Women's Records
Central Washington 7-12-1
Eastern Washington 4-11-3
Evergreen 10-2-5
Gonzaga 12-4-4
Pacific Lutheran 11-6-2
Puget Sound 18-2-2
Seattle University 13-5-2
Seattle Pacific 20-1-4
Washington 0-17-3
Washington State 11-7-2
Western Washington 9-8-2
Whitman 10-6-3
Whitworth 8-8-3
Commissioners Cup Winners
Age BoysGirls
U11 Norpoint Piranhas (TPCJSA)Crossfire Premier Schilperoort (LWYSA)
U12 SCFC Crew 92 (KYSA)SA Stars 92 (NCYSA)
U13 CW Revolution (ECYSA)FC Mukilteo Strikers (NCYSA)
U14 Columbia Timbers 90 Blue (CYSF)The Force (CYSF)
U15 Columbia Timbers 89 Red (CYSF)Columbia Timbers 89 Red (CYSF)
U16 Rockets 88 (SYSA)FC Aanvallen 88 Green (AYSA)
U17 ISC Select Storm (EYSA)BA United (EYSA)
U18 NC Rage (CYSF)OR Netbreakers (ECYSA)
U19 OR Northstar United 85 (ECYSA)not awarded
PDL, W-League Records
Seattle Sounders Women 5-8-1, 5th Div.
Spokane Shadow 10-6-0, 2nd Div.
Yakima Reds 4-9-3, 3rd Div.
Professional All-League
Player (Pos) Team (Lg-Tm)
Taylor Graham (D) Sounders (AL-1st)
Brett Hite (F) Shadow (PDL-NW)
State Youth Recreational Cup Winners
Age BoysGirls
U11 Legend (FWSA)Goal Girls (ECYSA)
U12 Chargers (EYSA)Blaze 93 (FWSA)
U13 Electric West (SkVYSA)Ravens (SYSA)
U14 Wolverines (ECYSA)Red Storm (KPYSA)
U15 EJH Alliance (LWYSA)Sudden Impact (TPCJSA)
U16 Clash (NYSA)Lakewood Lady Elite (TPCJSA)
U17 Strikers (KPYSA)Pumas (CYSF)
U18 Dragons (HSA)EHS Macaws (LWYSA)
U19 Thunder (GHYSA)not awarded
Washington State Youth Champions
Age BoysGirls
U12 NW National Forza (SSCYSA)FC Vancouver Justice (ECYSA)
U13 Crossfire 91 James (LWYSA)Crossfire 91 James (LWYSA)
U14 FWU Storm 90 Green FWSA)ESA Stars (NCYSA)
U15 Crossfire 89 James (LWYSA)Phoenix 89 Red (SYSA)
U16 FC Kitsap Red 88 (KPYSA)NWN Fusion (SSCYSA)
U17 NWN Pharaohs (SSCYSA)FC Royals 87 (TPCJSA)
U18 Crossfire 86 Jenkins (LWYSA)NW Nationals Volante ((SSCYSA)
U19 FC United 85 (TPCJSA)FC Royals 85 (TPCJSA)
WIAA Championship Games
Boys 4A Thomas Jefferson 2Pasco 1
Boys 3A Shorecrest 1Ferndale 0
Boys 2A Wahluke 1Ridgefield 0
Boys 1A University Prep 1 (6-5)Overlake 1
Girls 4A Tahoma 2Richland 0
Girls 3A Camas 2Issaquah 0
Girls 2A Eatonville 4East Valley (Yakima) 3
Girls 1A Seattle Academy 1La Salle 0 OT
On this Day in History
September 6, 1997
Vincente Figueroa snaps a scoreless tie in the 70th minute with a deflating goal for Colorado, and the Sounders go on to sweep their opening A-League playoff series with a 2-0 win over the Foxes before a season-high crowd of 6,927 at Memorial Stadium. Esmundo Rodriguez adds an insurance goal just seconds before the final whistle for the Sounders. They had won Game 1, 3-0, in Denver two days earlier.
More from 1997 ›
September 23, 1979
Puget Sound begins women's varsity play by beating Whitman, 3-1, at home. The Loggers, coached by Bill Kuba, are fueled by the two goals of captain Beth Castagna. The inaugural match ends seven minutes early after the Missionaries' goalkeeper is injured. The new UPS men's coach is John Duggan whose Norpoint Royals have been a top youth side in the state and throughout the West.
More from 1979 ›
February 15, 1989
Playing an MISL game before his family and friends for the first time, Daryl Green scores a decisive goal in Wichita's 4-2 win at Tacoma. A Kent native, Green is a late addition to the Wings' travel roster. He earlier starred at both Washington and FC Seattle. The loss comes in the middle of a Stars tailspin, losing five of seven. Before the game, Tacoma shares news that it will explore playing outdoor exhibitions in the summer.
More from 1989 ›
April 16, 1988
Peter Ward totals four goals and six points, and Preki loses the MISL scoring race but clinches the assist title in a 9-7 Stars victory over Kansas City before 14,357 in the Tacoma Dome. Preki earns three assists to finish with a record 58 for the season, but Wichita's Erik Rasmussen wins the overall scoring title with 112 points to Preki's record 111. Earlier in the day the MISL players union reaches an agreement with owners on a salary cap of $900,000. It also caps individual salaries at $90,000, with Preki and Steve Zungul having been due to make far beyond that.
More from 1988 ›