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.

What are you looking for?
Donate Now!
Explore our history. Click on any of the panels below to learn what happened that year.
Grandma Guides Tahoma to Title
November 22, 1986

Betty Ellis, a grandmother and first female to officiate a U.S. professional game in 1980, coaches Tahoma girls to state AA title, 2-0 over Edmonds after upsetting undefeated Mountlake Terrace, 5-1, in the semifinal. Stephanie Johnson scores both Bears goals in the final.

Snohomish Sends Fowler Out a Champion
November 22, 1997

Mary Etter makes two saves in the tiebreaker, enabling Snohomish to claim the state 4A crown over Mead, 1-1 (5-4) in Federal Way. In a battle of Panthers, Snohomish's Amy Auckland ties with three minutes remaining in regulation, just three minutes after Stacey Drollinger gave Mead the lead from 22 yards. George Fowler's three-decade run as Snohomish coach ends with the win. His 1984-85 team also won a title.

WSU Edges Western, Creates NCSC Tie
November 12, 1978

On the final day of the season, Washington State pulls level with Western Washington atop the NCSC women's table, winning 1-0 at Martin Stadium. Lorene Pearson chips the onrushing WWU keeper for the lone goal, and Cougs keeper Nancy Vetter, playing with a cast on her right hand, posts the shutout. Both sides finish 7-2-1.

Huskies' Tournament Debut is Victorious
November 9, 1994

Washington makes a smashing NCAA women's tournament debut by blanking No. 15 Oregon State, 3-0, in rainy Corvallis. The No. 18 Huskies get Emily Thompson's record 10th goal just before halftime. Thompson had missed a 1-0 loss to the Beavers three weeks earlier. Melanie Brennan scores in the 58th minute, then Jeanie Rain tacks on another in the 74th.

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.

Federal Way Girls Win State AAA
November 22, 1986

A scoreless stalemate is finally settled by penalty kicks, with Federal Way taking the girls' AAA championship over Issaquah, 0-0 (4-3), at Renton Stadium. Kerri Coplin and Michelle Dines convert the final two penalties for the Eagles while the Indians see two of their first four attempts sail high and wide. Coplin and Dines had also scored the previous night in a 3-2 comeback semifinal win over Cascade.

The Tacoma Stars defeated eventual MASL co-champion Monterrey, 7-6, during a pandemic-shortened 2019-20 season. (Courtesy MASL)
2020
Brian Ching, the former Gonzaga star on loan from LA Galaxy, scored 16 goals to earn first team all-A-League in 2002. (Frank MacDonald Collection)
2002
Kasey Keller, still 19, was voted Western Soccer League MVP in 1989 while playing for the Portland Timbers. (Courtesy Joanie Komura/Frank MacDonald Collection)
1989
1975
1977
1974
(Courtesy Seattle Times archives)
1973
(Courtesy Seattle Times archives)
1954
1950
In February 2021, after 11 months on the sidelines, Washington Youth Soccer permitted league play to resume in many counties. All players, coaches and spectators were required to wear masks, socially distance themselves off the field. (Courtesy Washington Youth Soccer)
2021