Washington State
Legends of Soccer

Curated by the Washington State Legends of Soccer, providing information and history of the Beautiful Game in Washington State. Just as the game evolves, so will this site. We continuously add new content, so be sure to return often.

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Explore our history. Click on any of the panels below to learn what happened that year.
Shoreline Reinstates Men's Program
February 7, 2022

Following a two-year hiatus, Shoreline Community College reinstates the men's program, with competition to resume in the fall. A decline in enrollment and $2.3 million shortfall prompted the decision to suspend the program in 2020. Current SCC women's coach Shaun Warner will take the reins, leading both soccer programs. Shoreline, which formed a team in 1967, was one of the founding NWAC members of varsity play in 1974. The Dolphins go 1-15-2 in their return season.

Preki Voted MISL MVP
June 1, 1989

As expected, Tacoma Stars midfielder Preki is voted the MISL Most Valuable Player after becoming only the third player to win the triple crown. Preki, 25, led the league in goals (51), points (104) and tied for first in assists (53). The gap of 17 points was the largest in four years. He collected 60 out of a possible 70 points in the voting by media members.

Bellevue Takes Prep Title in Overtime
May 26, 1977

Scott Willsie’s curler nearly three minutes into overtime earns Bellevue the state championship, 3-2 over Edmonds at a rain-soaked Memorial Stadium. Bill Smith scores goals in each half for the Wolverines. Edmonds ties it by halftime through Alex McAdam, then takes a brief lead on Ron Patton’s penalty. Willsie brings down a Smith cross to score the winner. Both teams had advanced to the final with shootout wins in the semifinals.

State Women's Association Forms
February 13, 1974

Mike Ryan organizes a meeting at Seattle's Sherwood Inn for those women interested in forming a league. Over the next month, the Washington State Women's Soccer Association is formed, and Ryan, the Washington Huskies head coach, is elected the first president. The 10-team league features players ranging from teens to over 40, with clubs named Capitol Hill Streakers, University District Geoducks and West Seattle Ladybugs.

WIAA Imposes Team Reed-Card Rule
September 25, 2010

The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association Executive Board approves a new rule that disqualifies teams who accumulate three red cards for violent conduct or abusive language. On-field behavior of boys’ players has been an issue for years, says WIAA executive director Mike Colbrese. Coaches, however, are frustrated there’s no way to appeal a referee’s decision to eject a player.

Issaquah Earns Another 4A Girls' Trophy
November 18, 2017

Mariah Van Halm scores the game-winner as Issaquah rallies from a goal down to send-off the retiring Tom Bunnell a winner with a 2-1 triumph over Central Valley of Spokane in the girls' 4A state championship at Sparks Stadium. Central Valley takes a 1-0 lead on Kaelyn Barnes's strike in the 24th minute. Within a three-minutes pan the Eagles go in front. In the 27th minute Catey Nelson sends a twisting header at the right post on a pass from Van Halm. In the 30th minute, Van Halm cooly slots in her 22nd goal of the season. It's Bunnell’s final game as coach after 14 years. Issaquah, which dethroned Camas in the semifinal, gets its second 4A title in three years. The Eagles also own three 3A crowns.

Washington's state select team awaiting their SeaTac departure. (Courtesy Shannon Higgins Cirovski)
1982
Manchester United and Celtic await the opening kick before 66,722 fans.
2003
Former Pacific Lutheran head coach Colleen Hacker (far left) was a member of the U.S. National Team's coaching staff for the 1999 World Cup. Assistant coach Lauren Gregg and head coach Tony DiCicco are to the right. (Courtesy Pam Whitesell/ISI Photos)
1999
Tacoma's Jeff Durgan left the Cosmos for Team America and debuted for the USMNT in 1983.
1983
Whitman College at play in Walla Walla. (Whitman digital archives)
1976
Marcus Hahnemann returns to the USMNT for his first start in over two years, a 1-0 win at Switzerland In October.
2007
Michelle Akers, winner of FIFA's Silver Ball and Golden Shoe at the Women's World Cup, plus 1991 U.S. Soccer Female Athlete of the Year.
1991
A broad smile and an insatiable appetite for goals fast made Roger Davies a crowd favorite in 1980. (Frank MacDonald Collection)
1980
Denise Bender, a forward for the Washington women's club program, became the state's first female collegiate All-American in 1980. (Courtesy Denise Bender)
1980
Michelle French guided the U.S. to the 2016 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Papa New Guinea, where they finished third. (Courtesy Michael Janosz / ISI Photos)
2016