Inception to Champions in Eight Years

2008 – Around the World and Close to Home

Barack Obama wins the U.S. presidential election, becoming the first African American to do so, Cuba’s Fidel Castro steps down after 49 years as president, the Great Recession deepens with 3.1 million home foreclosures, and the New York Giants upset previously undefeated New England to win the Super Bowl. After 41 seasons the Seattle Sonics are moved to Oklahoma City, SeaTac International Airport opens its third runway, and a record 84.6 percent of Washington registered voters cast ballots in the general election.

Inception to Champions in Eight Years

Others had organized, strived and toiled for decades. Yet when Seattle Pacific University finally commenced its women’s varsity soccer program, the returns were almost immediate and the wait for a national championship not so long.

In just its eighth season, SPU becomes only the state’s second women’s collegiate program to go all the way and the first NCAA member to do so. For the Falcons, it might well have been realized years earlier. They reached their first NCAA Division II final in 2005, falling in overtime, and returned to the semifinals in ’07.

It was never shocking to see Seattle Pacific playing in the postseason. After all, the storied men’s program, born in 1968, made the tournament a Division II record 30 times, from 1971-2006. Under Cliff McCrath, SPU won five national championships and was runner-up five more. It was a member of two of those title-winning sides who guides the women to new heights.

Chuck Sekyra, a native of Kent and member of back-to-back championship teams in 1985 and ’86, took over as head coach in 2003 after serving on Lesle Gallimore’s staff at Washington. Sekyra led the Falcons to their first postseason appearance in that first year and soon became a fixture in the national rankings and West Regionals. Three times prior to 2008, SPU entered the playoffs unbeaten, although that’s not the case this time around.

Western Washington, a rising program in its own right, deals the Falcons’ their first GNAC loss in nearly two years. SPU avenges that in the regional final, 1-0, on Meredith Teague’s overtime strike. Two days later, comes a 1-0 win over quarterfinal host Truman State. In the semifinal, Amanda Johnson scores her second just 38 seconds after Metro State equalizes, and No. 4 Seattle Pacific proceeds to the final, 3-1.

Pitted against the home-state favorite and 2nd-ranked West Florida in Tampa, SPU is unable to break down the defense through regulation. Finally, in the 108th minute, Janae Godoy turns on a loose ball in the box and delivers the golden goal.

Seattle Pacific might have had stronger teams and more decorate players in the past, but this squad finds a way. They prove balanced, finding heroes on different occasions, and mentally tough.

"We went through things that our program hasn't been through in a while," Sekyra said. "We figured, if we could learn from those things, we could have the best team we've had. That's how we handled it. That's the route we went. And they believed me.”

Teague, who later is named All-America and national player of the year, is the youngest of three sisters to play for SPU. Although she’s the team’s scoring (14 goals) and assists (10) leader, she deferential to acclaim, redirecting the spotlight to others, including a defense that allows only 10 goals and finishing with 16 shutouts. All she and her teammates cared about was getting their hands on the winner’s trophy.

“To finish on such a high note, nothing could be better," Teague said. "We all want to give each other that gift."

Season Record
10-10-10, 6th USL-1 regular season, 1st rnd
Coach
Brian Schmetzer (7th year)
Best XI
Taylor Graham
Top Scorer
Sebastien Le Toux (14 goals)
U.S. Open Cup
Seattle Sounders, semifinals
ADULT AMATEUR
U.S. Amateur Cup
Red Bull Seattle O30, Bellingham FC O40
Women's Amateur Cup
Forza O30, Soccer City O30, Team FieldTurf O40, Seattle's Best O50
COLLEGIATE
Women's Collegiate Champions
Seattle Pacific, NCAA Division II
Men's Collegiate Postseason
Whitworth, D3 1st rnd
Women's Collegiate Postseason
Puget Sound, D3 2nd rnd SeattlePacific, D2 champion Washington, D1 2nd rnd Washington State, D1 1st rnd Western Washington, D2 2nd rnd
Men's Conference Champions
Western Washington (GNAC), Whitworth (NWC)
Women's Conference Champions
Puget Sound (NWC), Western Washington (GNAC)
NWAC Men's Champion
Walla Walla d Chemeketa, 3-2 OT
NWAC Women's Champion
Columbia Basin d Walla Walla, 3-0
Largest Attendance
47,052, Brazil v Canada
Largest Amateur Attendance
2,981, Washington v Gonzaga (m)

2008: Inception to Champions in Eight Years

Seattle Pacific is one of the last colleges to add women's soccer yet is the first to achieve an NCAA championship

Penalty Punctuates Foul Sendoff
September 26, 2008

In a sendoff match featuring two ejections, eight cards and 25 fouls it's only fitting that a penalty kick decides Seattle's first-leg win over Montreal, 2-1, at Starfire Stadium. Hugo Alcaraz-Cuellar scores out of a 14th-minute scramble and Leighton O'Brien's converts from the spot in the 42nd. It's the final home match in the Sounders' USL era. The Impact wins the second leg, 3-1, to take the first round series on aggregate.

Sounder at Heart Goes Live
August 27, 2008

SounderatHeart.com – founded by Dave Clark to embrace fan passion while covering Puget Sound soccer news, rumors, tactics and analytics – goes live. It starts as an independent WordPress blog hosted by ProspectInsider.com and joins SBNation.com in November 2009.

Keller Part of One Final Escape
May 11, 2008

Kasey Keller's final Premier League performance helps prevent Fulham's relegation with a 1-0 win at Portsmouth. Keller's fourth shutout since returning to start the final 10 matches enables the Cottagers to stay up based on goal-difference, over Marcus Hahnemann's Reading. It completes Keller's European career, which began 16 years earlier as a 22-year-old at Millwall.

Write-In Option For MLS Name Vote
March 25, 2008

Seattle's MLS franchise elects to add a write-in choice as a fourth name option, giving the public the right to choose from the original three - the Seattle Alliance, Seattle FC and the Seattle Republic - or put in a different name. The winner of an online vote will be announced April 7. Season-ticket holders will be allowed the same number of votes as deposits purchased. The team has sold more than 13,000 season-ticket deposits.

WSU Goes Overtime to Reach NCAAs
November 9, 2008

Elysse Van Leer converts a rebound in the third minute of the second overtime to give No. 24 Washington State a 1-0 home win over Arizona State. As it turns out, it earns the Cougars their first NCAA tournament berth in six seasons. After Kiersten Dallstream's shot is saved, Van Leer outraces a Sun Devils defender for her fourth game-winner at 102:56. Lindsay Parlee gets the shutout, the team's ninth.

Ten Players Selected in Sounders Expansion Draft
November 26, 2008

Sounders FC technical director Chris Henderson and GM Adrian Hanauer select 10 players in the MLS expansion draft. They are: Brad Evans, Nate Jaqua, Stephen King, Jeff Parke, James Riley, Jarrod Smith, Khano Smith, Nathan Sturgis, Pete Vagenas and Tyson Wahl. The team now has 14 players under contract.

Huskies Get Breakthrough Victory Over Cal
October 19, 2008

Veronica Perez scores the tying goal in the 75th minute then gets the game-winner eight minutes later in Washington's 3-2 victory over No. 13 California at Husky Soccer Field. It's the Huskies' first win over a ranked opponent during a stretch of five such games in a row. In the 83rd minute Perez takes a ball deep in the right corner of Cal's end, dribbles past two defenders and unleashes a shot far post which eludes Golden Bears' keeper.

Mexico-China Attracts 4th-Largest Crowd
April 16, 2008

The fourth-largest crowd in Seattle soccer history – 56,416 – largely heads home happy as the Mexican national team defeats China, 1-0, at Qwest Field. It's a festive atmosphere, with colorful costumes and mariachi bands. El Tri, playing Washington for the first time, sends the crowd into an early frenzy when Cesar Villaluz scores in the 13th minute for what proves to be the friendly's only goal. The city's only bigger soccer crowds turned out for Real Madrid-D.C. United in 2006, Manchester United-Celtic in 2003, and the Seattle Sounders-New York Cosmos NASL match in 1976, the first sporting event at the Kingdome. Many fans travel a great distance, such as the Yakima Valley, Skagit County and Portland area.

Bellarmine Ties It Late, Wins in Shootout
May 24, 2008

Elliot Morton gets a late equalizer and Chris Carin makes the decisive save in the shootout as Bellarmine Prep wins the state 4A boys crown over Puyallup at Lakewood. Justin Veltung had put the Vikings in front before Morton struck near the end of regulation. After two scoreless overtimes the Lions won the tiebreaker, 4-3. It's Bellarmine's second championship in four seasons.

Solo, U.S. Win Beijing Gold
August 21, 2008

Hope Solo's spotless goalkeeping keeps top scorer Cristiane, Marta and high-powered Brazil off the scoresheet and Carli Lloyd scores the extra-time winner as the United States win the Olympic gold medal match, 1-0, before 51,000 in Beijing. Solo makes a handful of saves, the most impressive off two-time FIFA player of the year Marta in the 72nd minute. Brazil had scored six goals in its two previous knockout matches.

Saints Record Performance Good for Big Draw
November 6, 2008

Saint Martin's gets an early goal at Bellingham and manages to hang on for a 1-1 draw at No. 15 Western Washington behind the record 14-save performance of goalkeeper Ashley Engel. After the Vikings equalize in the 76th minute Engel denies them a winner, with a double save in the 86th minute. She makes six saves in the second half of regulation and and seven more in overtime.

Le Toux Torches Hollywood for Four
June 24, 2008

Sebastien Le Toux fires four goals past Hollywood United's pedigreed amateurs as the Sounders book a place in U.S. Open Cup's fourth round, 6-0 at Starfire Stadium. Le Toux ties Mark Baena's record of four goals, set in 1998. Hollywood, owned by actor Anthony LaPaglia and featuring a handful of ex-MLS players, had upset Portland in the second round.

Voice of Fans Heard: It's Clearly 'Sounders'
April 7, 2008

At Seattle's iconic Space Needle comes the announcement that the new MLS club will be called Sounders FC. During a four-day, online election, about 82 percent of 14,500 voters preferred some derivation of Sounders, which was a write-in option. The other choices were Alliance, Republic and Seattle FC. The logo or badge will feature the Space Needle and colors are green, blue and gray.

Brazil's Robinho Stars vs. Canadians
May 31, 2008

Robinho sets-up two goals and scores the winner for Brazil in an entertaining 3-2 win over Canada in a friendly at Qwest Field before 47,052. Robinho, who had led Real Madrid to a La Liga crown earlier in the month, steals a back pass from Julian de Guzman to snap a 2-2 tie in the 63rd minute. Brazil, ranked No. 2 in the world, plays without world player of the year Kaka. Coach Dunga complains that the temporary grass field slowed his team's speed. Dale Mitchell, formerly of the Tacoma Stars, is Canada's coach.

Western's Connell Wins 2 GNAC Titles
November 6, 2008

Samir Vejo adds to his hefty goal total with a hat trick as Western Washington secures its first GNAC men’s championship in six years by thrashing Saint Martin’s, 6-0, at Orca Field. Vejo, who earlier scored a Vikings record six goals at Colorado Christian, finished the season with 18. Two days later, coach Travis Connell guides the WWU women’s team to the conference crown as well. He is voted coach of the year for both.

Arsenal Legend Ljungberg Joins Seattle
October 28, 2008

Former Arsenal and Sweden star Freddie Ljungberg signs as the first Designated Player for Sounders FC. Ljungberg, 31, is a two-time Swedish player of year who played 10 years in England's Premier League, including nine with Arsenal, where he was part of their unbeaten team in 2003-04. The attacking midfielder played for West Ham United last season and was Sweden's captain for the 2008 European Championships in June. He becomes the fourth player under contract. Ljungberg's contract is for a reported $2.5 million per season.

Solo & Ellertson Reunited in St. Louis
September 15, 2008

Hope Solo is allocated to St. Louis of Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) ahead of the league's inaugural season. Solo is reunited with former UW teammate, forward Tina Frimpong Ellertson, also an allocation from the USWNT. Spokane's Amy LePeilbet is drafted by Boston with the fourth overall pick Oct. 6. Serving as the seven-team WPS Commissioner and CEO is Everett native Tonya Antonucci.

Seattle Wins Going Away at Portland
August 7, 2008

Stout defense and an early Sebastien Le Toux goal give Seattle a victory in the final meeting with Portland in the USL era, 1-0, before 12,332 at PGE Park. It's Le Toux's third goal in three games, all wins. The Timbers are held to only seven shots with Chris Eylander making just two saves.

Nixon Smashes Saints Goal Mark
October 25, 2007

Xan Nixon bursts on the scene with a four-goal performance in 5-0 win for Saint Martin's over Northwest Nazarene in Olympia. Nixon becomes the first Saints player to score a hat trick, accumulating three goals in the second half alone. All of his team-leading eight goals come during a seven-game stretch during the second half of the season.

Everett Strikes Fast, Gets First Crown
November 22, 2008

Brittany McMullen, Annie Sittauer and Valerie Stahl all score in the opening 26 minutes to give Everett a 3-0 victory over Seattle Prep in the 3A state championship game at Lakewood. It is Everett's first girls soccer state title. The Seagulls, whose previous best finish was fourth, knocked-out top-ranked and unbeaten Kennedy, 4-1, in the semifinals.

Camas Claims 2nd Boys Title in 3 Years
May 24, 2008

Quinton Beasley scored the first of his two goals in the fourth minute of the match and Camas rolls to a 5-0 victory over Kennedy in the boys 3A state final at Lakewood. It's the Papermakers' second title in three years they were runners-up in 2007. Beasley finishes off a dynamic run up the center of the pitch by freshman Nick Palodichuk. Beasley also has two assists. Camas, which had lost 11 seniors from the year prior, outscored their five postseason opponents by 25-0. Kennedy had shocked Mercer Island in semifinal via penalties (2-2 4-1).

Hagerott Returns to Coach Bucs
December 11, 2008

Daman Hagerott returns to coach the Whitworth women after 12 years away. Hagerott, who had coached the Pirates from 1993-96, winning two conference titles, replaces Sean Bushey, who wants to focus on coaching the Bucs men.

Teague's Golden SPU Goal Wins West
November 20, 2008

Meredith Teague's golden goal with 4:27 remaining in the final overtime propels No. 4 Seattle Pacific into the NCAA Division II quarterfinals at the expense of arch-rival Western Washington, 1-0, at Kirksville, Mo. The 12th-ranked Vikings, GNAC champion and the only team to defeat SPU during the regular season, were held scoreless for the first time in 25 games. Teague's 14th tally of the year ended more than 105 scoreless minutes in windy, 32-degree conditions. She dribbled across the top of the box before launching a left-footed, 20-yard strike that curled inside the right post. Two days later the Falcons defeat host Truman State, 1-0, on a Janae Godoy goal.

Pumas Voted to be Kitsap Mascot
November 17, 2008

Bremerton's new Kitsap Soccer Club announces nickname to be Pumas following a name-the-team contest. Paladins and Kayaks were among the other top vote-pullers for the USL PDL club, to begin play in 2009. Lucita Flores-Alvarenga, who voted for Pumas in the online contest, won a drawing to receive the first two season tickets in club history. The club colors of blue, black and gold were displayed using a new logo for the club's mascot, Pedro the Puma.

Yakima Reds Revived, Will Play-On
November 17, 2008

The Yakima Reds will play-on after a rescue effort from new owner Perry Piercy. Two months earlier, previous owner Irwin Research & Development announced it could no longer fund the PDL club after 12 seasons in light of the ongoing economic crisis. Attendance had hovered between 300-500 and the annual budget reached $200,000 annually.

Tacoma Tide Reaches Playoffs
July 19, 2008

Tacoma Tide FC crush Yakima Reds, 6-2, in a winner-take-all final regular season game to determine a PDL playoff berth. Spencer Shomaker scores goals in the 16th and 18th minutes, giving the Tide (11-4-1) the lead for good, and he assists on Ruben Orozco's blast to make it 3-1 in the 31st at Curtis High School. Yakima finishes 9-6-1.

Le Toux Becomes 1st MLS Seattle Signing
May 7, 2008

Seattle's new Major League Soccer roster gets its first player with the signing of Sounders forward Sebastien Le Toux, 24. In his first season in Seattle, Le Toux had led Seattle to the USL championship and earned league MVP honors after scoring 10 goals. The Frenchman had been courted by other MLS teams.

UPS Women Win 16th Straight, Take NWC
November 8, 2008

Jenny Moore and Fiona Gornick score in the first 4 minutes and Puget Sound proceeds to pummel Willamette, 4-0, for its Northwest Conference-clinching 16th straight win. The Loggers (18-1-0) complete the conference season with a perfect (16-0-0) mark to earn an automatic NCAA berth and first-round bye but lose to Carleton, 1-0, in second round at home.

LWYSA Kids Get Added Room
October 20, 2008

King County Council adopts legislation allowing Lake Washington Youth Soccer to build 7-9 non-lighted fields to the southern portion of Sixty Acres Park in Redmond.

Eylander Stones Chivas, Sounders Advance
July 1, 2008

Chris Eylander's Open Cup scoreless streak extends to 300 minutes as the Sounders get goals from Taylor Graham and Sebastien Le Toux in ousting Chivas USA, 2-0, at Qwest Field. Eylander makes six saves and his deep clearance leads to Le Toux's fifth goal of the tournament to ice it in the 80th minute. The Frenchman hits the crossbar later. It's the third win over an MLS club in two seasons and Seattle hosts Kansas City a week later in the quarterfinals. Behind Eylander's 12 saves, the Wizards are shut-out for 120 minutes but prevail, 6-5, in penalties.

Sounders Women Purchased
December 17, 2008

Mike Jennings, owner of the Tacoma Tide men's PDL team, purchases the Seattle Sounders Women team, which will play its 2009 season at the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila. Teddy Mitalas will continue as coach and general manager. The fate of the W-League team became uncertain when the USL Seattle Sounders ceased operation due to the arrival of Seattle Sounders FC of Major League Soccer.

Green Light for Kitsap PDL Franchise
September 30, 2008

A partnership between the Bremerton School District and the newly formed Kitsap Soccer Club brings professional soccer to Kitsap County. Owner Robin Waite, previously a part-owner of the USL Seattle Sounders, says the franchise has been approved and will play home matches at the school district's Bremerton Memorial Stadium. A video scoreboard and an additional 1,500 seats are among the planned renovations for Memorial Stadium, which seats about 3,000.

SPU Wins NCAA Women's Title in 8th Season
December 6, 2008

Just seven years after beginning play, Seattle Pacific becomes the first Northwest women's program to win an NCAA championship at any level, edging West Florida, 1-0, in overtime at Tampa. Janae Godoy's 10-yard blast at 107:47 is celebrated by a pile-up of SPU (22-1-2) players as a downpour commences. It's Godoy's fifth game-winner in seven games. Alex Butler's right-wing cross is headed down by Jocelyn Charette for Godoy to volley home. Maddie Dickinson makes three first-half saves to register her 10th shutout and the team's 17th. The SPU men's program has five NCAA titles, including one won on the same field.

Skyline Girls Beat KingCo Rivals in 4A
November 22, 2008

Alisha Connors supplied a goal and an assist for Skyline to capture the girls' 4A championship at Lakewood. The Spartans defeat KingCo rival Woodinville, 2-0. Spartans goalkeeper Jill Stika, who posts her fourth straight shutout in the tournament, allowed only one goal after September. Connors drills a left-footed shot just inside the far left post from 15 yards. Coral Anderson makes it 2-0 in the 58th minute. Woodinville places at state for the fourth year in a row. The Falcons captured the 4A title in 2006, were third in 2007 and fourth in 2005.

UW Women Rally for NCAA Win
November 14, 2008

Washington senior Jenna Robison makes her first career NCAA tournament appearance a memorable one, bending in a top-of-the-box, overtime winner in an NCAA first-round match vs. LSU at College Station, Tex. UW, with just one player with prior tournament experience, goes down 2-nil early in the second half. Kate Deines and Veronica Perez score to tie it, then Robinson seals the rally, 3-2, in the 95th minute. It extends Washington's unbeaten streak to seven (6-0-1).

Yakima's Garcia Voted PDL MVP
August 8, 2008

Junior Garcia of the Yakima Reds is named the PDL's most valuable player. Garcia is the league's scoring champion with 15 goals and 40 total points, both league leaders. The former Sunnyside High School standout scored in the Reds' first five games and led Yakima to its best record since 2001.

Johnson Keys Falcons' Semifinal Victory
December 4, 2008

Amanda Johnson's two goals fuel Seattle Pacific's NCAA semifinal victory over Metro State, 3-1, at Tampa. The 4th-ranked Falcons move into the national championship match for the second time in four seasons. Johnson opens the scoring after only 73 seconds, and after the Roadrunners equalize she responds with the go-ahead goal 38 seconds later, in the 56th minute. Johnson also assists on the third SPU score, by Jocelyn Charette, three minutes after that. Meredith Teague's assist on the opening goal is the record 34th of her career.

Vejo's Six Goal Breaks Vikings Record
October 1, 2008

Samir Vejo strikes for a record six goals in Western Washington's 10-0 rout of Colorado Christian at Lakewood, Co. The Vikings crush the winless Cougars when Vejo, who scores twice in the first half, suddenly erupts for three more goals in a 19-minute span of the second. His penalty kick in the dying minutes makes it Western's biggest scoring margin in 18 years. Vejo is not done. Ten days later he scores four times vs. Northwest Nazarene. He finishes the season with 18 goals.

Solo Recalled, Starts for WNT
January 16, 2008

Hope Solo returns to the USWNT and makes her first start since being dropped by Greg Ryan following her benching at the 2007 World Cup. Under new coach Pia Sundhage, Solo, 26, gets the shutout, making two saves vs. Canada in 4-0 win at Four Nations tournament in Guangzhou, China.

Sounders Bring Home Henderson as TD
January 24, 2008

Everett native Chris Henderson's next chapter will come at home. Fourteen months in advance of the first match, Henderson, 37, is named Sounders FC technical director by general manager Adrian Hanauer. Henderson earned 79 caps for the U.S. and played 13 professional seasons, the last 11 in MLS. He had been an assistant coach with Kansas City since retiring in 2006.

Keller Comes Home, Sign With Sounders
August 14, 2008

Olympia native Kasey Keller, 38, signs a two-year contract to play for Seattle Sounders FC beginning in their inaugural MLS season. The three-time U.S. Soccer Player of the Year has played only three times in his home state since going professional out of the University of Portland in 1992 all were with the U.S. National Team. Seattle uses its top allocation rating to secure Keller, the USMNT career leader in wins and shutouts.

Tide Shocks Fresno to Win First Playoff
July 26, 2008

Avenging its elimination a year before, Tacoma Tide FC upset the Fresno Fuego before over 3,000 hostile fans, 3-0, in the PDL Western Conference playoffs. Daniel Scott’s header in the 19th minute was all the Tide needed for its first postseason victory. Spencer Shomaker’s 10th goal of the season came in the 77th minute and Chase Tangney closed out the scoring. Vancouver Whitecaps Residency would defeat Tacoma in the West final, 4-1, the following day.

Sounders Jersey, Colors Come to Life
December 4, 2008

In a Fashion Week-style unveiling, Sounders FC jerseys and apparel are modeled and made for-sale at Qwest Field's WaMu Theater. The home uniform is the Rave Green jersey with Sounders Blue shorts. The club's main sponsor, Microsoft's Xbox 360 Live, is emblazoned across the chest. Wearing the jerseys on the runway are players Kasey Keller, Sebastien Le Toux and Sanna Nyassi, plus owner Drew Carey and actress Josie Bissett, a Seattle native.

Whitworth Edges Whitman for NWC Title
November 8, 2008

Cameron Bushey’s penalty kick and assist helps send Whitworth to a Northwest Conference-winning 4-0 home defeat of Pacific on the final day of the regular season. The victory extends the Pirates’ unbeaten streak to eight (6-0-2) entering the NCAA Division III tournament. They finish two ahead of Whitman, which enjoyed its best season (11-2-7) since 1987. Whitworth hosts Augsburg in the first round but goes out on penalties (1-1 4-1).

We definitely want a team in Seattle. I have a longstanding conversation with Adrian Hanauer and Tod Leiweke, a conversation that started way before they got the MLS franchise, and we continue to talk to them now. They are obviously focused on their inaugural MLS season. It’s important that the men’s team gets off the ground strong. But based on the conversations it’s been positive. It’s just a matter of timing and, the facility question, whether Qwest Field is the right place, with our attendance between 5-10,000 fans, for us from a fan experience standpoint.
WPS Commissioner and Everett native Tonya Antonucci on potential expansion to Seattle
A designated player is like threading the eye of a needle. You want someone who's not a gimmick and is playing at the top of his career. We don't need anyone to come and sell tickets, because the people of Seattle (already) have embraced the team.
Sounders FC majority owner Joe Roth on what he was seeking in a Designated Player signing
Meredith is one of our most sophisticated players, she goes at people, cracks a great shot ... defends well, attacks well, she’s a leader by example on and off the field. She’s one of those kids that you get once in a lifetime.
SPU coach Chuck Sekyra on 2008 NCAA Division II player of the year Meredith Teague,
I always wondered what this would feel like and it feels even better than I thought it would. We never gave up. We stayed the course and believed that what we do well would get it done in the end. I thought we got stronger as the game went on.
Chuck Sekyra, coach of Seattle Pacific's NCAA champion women who prevail in overtime
The medal has nothing to do with me feeling better. The healing had already taken place. The healing had to take place in my heart and mind before I could even get to the medal.
Hope Solo on returning to China and USWNT to win the gold medal 10 months after her World Cup benching
We want to try and win games right at the beginning. We also have to be realistic. We have to understand that we are an expansion team. Certainly, players play a lot better together once they've gotten 20, 30 games under their belt than when they're first getting to know each other...So that's going to take a period of time of growth. But in terms of effort, in terms of the work rate that we put out in each game, the enthusiasm that we play with, that's something I want there, right from the beginning. And I think we're going to be competitive in every game that we step on the field.
New Sounders FC head coach Sigi Schmid on his team's first-year prospects
Do I think I could have done the job? Yes. But do I think that Sigi's appointment was the right choice for this franchise at this moment? Yes, absolutely, 100 percent. There's no way that anybody could argue that that man shouldn't be here being announced. There's just no rational soccer guy - and I think I'm a pretty rational guy - nobody, who can argue that.
Brian Schmetzer on the announcement of Sigi Schmid as first Sounders FC head coach
He brings great knowledge of the Seattle area, the history of the (United Soccer Leagues first division) Sounders, and a wealth of coaching experience. That, coupled with his past playing experience, makes him the ideal assistant coach.
Sigi Schmid on his reasoning for hiring Brian Schmetzer as his top assistant coach
This is something new for Microsoft - we've never done this kind of national promotion. But when we looked at soccer and what's happening in the sport - it's clearly the leading sport in the world - and when you look at ... the strength of the sport to grow for the next 10, 15, 20 years is really exciting.
Robbie Bach, president of Microsoft's entertainment and devices division, on Xbox becoming the first Sounders FC shirt sponsor
In winter session, we turned away about 50 teams. We are trying to take in as many teams as we can and not go too crazy. Our numbers are building every single year, every single session.
Spokane Soccer Center manager Brian Dreves on why there are plans to double capacity by adding a second building
I want to play in the Premier League again – that’s why I’m here. Everybody wants another shot at it. It was difficult going down. It feels like we failed, but if we get back up it won’t be a failure.
Marcus Hahnemann after Reading is relegated following years in the Premiership
The bar has been set high by the NASL Sounders and the USL Sounders. We want to deliver on the traditions that have come in the past and connect upon the foundation which has been built.
Sounders owner and GM Adrian Hanauer on the MLS club's chosen name, 'Sounders FC'
We probably have five to eight guys who could play for the MLS team in Seattle. If I was the coach, I would bring 10 of them along. Realistically, I think eight to 10 guys have a legitimate chance of playing MLS somewhere.
Brian Schmetzer, USL Sounders coach, assessing how many of his players merit a look from the MLS club in 2009
I love the colors. We want to stand out, not be like the other teams.
Drew Carey, Sounders owner, referring to the bright, Rave Green jerseys
Me and Hope gave each other a big hug. It's funny how our paths keep crossing, from college, to the national team, to the pro team. We feel fortunate to have each other in our lives. It's a really cool thing.
Tina Frimpong Ellertson, after learning she will be joined by Hope Solo at WPS St. Louis
College & High School All-America (USC)
Player (Hometown) School (Div/Team/Pos)
Shannon Oakes (Boise, Id.) SeattlePacific (D2/2nd/M)
Meredith Teague (Redmond) Seattle Pacific (D2/1st/M)
Katie Warner (Burlington) Western Washington (D2/1st/D)
Kelly Baker (Boise, Id.) Whitworth (D3/3rd/D)
Janece Levien (Beaverton, Or.) Puget Sound (D3/2nd/F)
Brandon Zimmerman (Pasco) Bradenton Prep (D)
Collegiate Men's Records
Evergreen 5-12-0
Gonzaga 9-8-2
Northwest 6-9-3
Pacific Lutheran 9-8-2
Puget Sound 10-7-2
Saint Martin's 6-11-1
Seattle University 11-3-1
Seattle Pacific 6-10-3
Washington 8-8-2
Western Washington 11-5-3
Whitman 11-2-7
Whitworth 14-2-4
Collegiate Women's Records
Central Washington 10-7-3
Eastern Washington 4-11-3
Evergreen 5-11-1
Gonzaga 7-10-3
Northwest 8-5-2
Pacific Lutheran 5-11-3
Puget Sound 18-2-0
Saint Martin's 6-11-2
Seattle University 12-5-3
Seattle Pacific 22-1-2
Washington 15-6-1
Washington State 10-6-5
Western Washington 17-3-2
Whitman 11-7-1
Whitworth 15-4-1
Commissioners Cup Winners
Age BoysGirls
U11 ISC Arsenal Blue 96 Lester (EYSA)Synergy FC Dunne (AYSA)
U12 Ballard Team Tembo (SYSA)SC United Fire 95 Hughes (SkVYSA)
U13 FC Shoreline Sting (SYSA)Sparta 94 Cady (NarYSA)
U14 OR Northstar United 93 (ECYSA)ISC Arsenal White 93 Louie (EYSA)
U15 Tri-Mountain Avalanche 92 (CYSF)Blue Starz (TPCJSA)
U16 Newport Fury (EYSA)Crossfire Select ‘91 Preifer (LWYSA)
U17 FC Shoreline International (SYSA)CW Thrashers (ECYSA)
U18 CW The Bears (ECYSA)Tri-Mountain Avalanche Da Bomb (CYSF)
U19 Pacific Premier FC Red (NCYSA)not awarded
PDL, W-League Records
Seattle Sounders Women 5-3-4, 3rd Div.
Tacoma Tide 11-4-1, 1st Div.
Spokane Spiders 3-11-2, 8th Div.
Yakima Reds 9-6-1, 3rd Div.
Professional All-League
Player (Pos) Team (Lg-Tm)
Taylor Graham (D) Sounders (USL-1st)
Michelle French (M) Sounders Women (WL-1st)
Mark Lee (D) Tide (PDL-NW)
Juan Viveros (D) Reds (PDL-NW)
Junior Garcia (F) Reds (PDL-NW)
Michelle French (M) Sounders Women (WL-NW)
State Youth Recreational Cup Winners
Age BoysGirls
U11 LH Nighthawks (EYSA)SK Angels (SSCYSA)
U12 Blasters (SSCYSA)Tracyton Tornados 96 (KPYSA)
U13 Blackwell Doom Patrol (LWYSA)Harbor Fireballs(TPCJSA)
U14 Chaos (LWYSA)Phoenix Ingalls (NYCSA)
U15 Wenatchee Arsenal (WVYSA)93 FHJH Shooting Stars (LWYSA)
U16 FC North Bend United (SnVYSA)92 RHS Panthers (LWYSA)
U17 Avanti United FC 91 (TPCJSA)Avalanche (AYSA)
U18 90 EHS Ambush (LWYSA)Finale (FYSA)
U19 LW Hooks (NCYSA)not awarded
Washington State Youth Champions
Age BoysGirls
U12 Crossfire Premier McCormick (LWYSA)Emerald City FC 95 Green (SYSA)
U13 Crossfire Premier 94 Jenkins (LWYSA)Crossfire Premier Lombard (LWYSA)
U14 Washington Premier 93 Black (TPCJSA)Crossfire Premier Schilperoort (LWYSA)
U15 Crossfire Premier Henderson (LWYSA)Emerald City FC 92 Green (SYSA)
U16 Eastside FC 91 Red Lee (EYSA)NWN 91 Red (SSCYSA)
U17 Columbia Timbers 90 Red (CYSF)Washington Premier FC 90 (TPCJSA)
U18 HPFC Heat 89 Blue (HAS)MRFC 89 Blue Santos (MRSA)
U19 HPFC 88 (HPFC)Crossfire Premier 89 Korn (LWYSA)
WIAA Championship Games
Boys 4A Bellarmine 1 (4-3)Puyallup 1
Boys 3A Camas 5Kennedy 0
Boys 2A Sehome 2Cheney 1
Boys 1A King's 2Highland 1
Boys 1B-2B Northwest Christian 3Shoreline Christian 0
Girls 4A Skyline 2Woodinville 0
Girls 3A Everett 3Seattle Prep 0
Girls 2A Fife 0 (4-3)Cedarcrest 0
Girls 1A Seattle Academy 5Seattle Christian 0
Girls 1B-2B La Salle 0 (4-3)Evergreen Lutheran 0
2008 NCAA Div. II Women's Final - Seattle Pacific v West Florida

VIDEO: 2008 NCAA Div. II Women's Final - Seattle Pacific v West Florida

On this Day in History