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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Gonzaga Finally Beats Portland Women
November 3, 2018

Gonzaga claims its first-ever women's victory over Portland to complete their second straight 10-win season. On a cold, rainy night at Luger Field, the Zags break through in the 54th minute. India Jencks scores from a feed from Jodi Ulkekul. Drew Williams gets the shutout. The Bulldogs were picked eighth in the WCC preseason poll and ended the season going 5-1-2 over the final eight. They had been 0-25-1 vs. the Pilots since the program's inception.

Seattle U Men Pull NCAA Shocker
November 2, 2006

Pat Thomas scores the winning goal 26 seconds into overtime, as fourth-seeded Seattle University advances to the NCAA II West Regional men's soccer final by stunning top-seeded Cal State-Dominguez Hills, 2-1, at Carson, Calif. Thomas’s 10th goal of the year is a sitter after the Toros' keeper collides with a defender. Earlier, Hans Esterhuizen puts the Redhawks in front after 49 minutes, hitting the rebound after John Fishbaugher is saved. Seattle U, considered a surprise tournament selection with seven losses, proceeds to win the regional title two nights later, via penalties, over Cal State L.A., 3-3 (4-2). Esterhuizen, who scores again, is voted the regional defensive MVP. The Golden Eagles dispatch SPU, 2-1, in the other semifinal.

Seattle U Wins First Intracity Matchup
November 18, 1967

Dale Lenz scores the first goal, his 13th of the year, and Seattle University goes on to beat Washington, 3-0, in the first competitive intracity meeting between intercollegiate teams at Lower Woodland. Mike Carney doubles the lead and Tom Yagle completes the scoring. The two teams met Oct. 6 in a non-counting game after the Chieftains had just four practice sessions. The Huskies won that, 3-0, at Lower Woodland.

De Rosario Earns MLS Next Pro Award
October 16, 2025

Osaze De Rosario presented the first MLS NEXT Pro Pathway Player of the Year award. De Rosario scored 10 goals with Tacoma Defiance, earning a first team signing in May. He totaled five goals for the Sounders.

Huskies Work Overtime to Earn NCAA Berth
November 18, 1968

Washington earns the state's first NCAA postseason berth but by the narrowest of margins. The Huskies need overtime to defeat Seattle University, 1-0, under the lights of a cold, soggy Lower Woodland Park. John Goldingay latches on to Joe Siebu's through ball and advances 30 yards before beating SU keeper Bob Burkhart for the golden goal. In the first overtime period, UW's Mike Jones turns Mike Carney's penalty kick around the post. The result is recorded as a 0-0 tie because NCAA rules did not permit overtime during non-tournament play. However, both teams agreed to use an overtime golden goal to determine the NCAA postseason representative.

Seattle Christian Girls Win Seventh Straight
November 20, 1999

Melissa Bennett's hat trick powers Seattle Christian to a seventh consecutive state girls' 1A/B championship, 4-1, over Bellevue Christian at Auburn. Bennett finishes as the state career scoring leader across all divisions with 166 goals, including 50 as a senior. Her older sister Tami had held the previous mark. Seattle Christian's only on-field loss (they had five forfeits) was to 3A runner-up Mount Rainier.

At 23, Nouhou came into his own during the Sounders' 2020 season, starting 23 matches overall. (Mike Fiechtner/Sounders FC)
2020
1965 CYO All-Stars, coached by Mike Ryan (l) and Eddie Craggs. (Courtesy George Craggs family)
1965
Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels visits with Celtic manager Martin O'Neill (l) and Sir Alex Ferguson. (Courtesy Seattle City archives)
2003
After playing nine seasons for three other MLS clubs, Federal Way native Kelyn Rowe returned home to join his hometown Sounders in 2021. (Courtesy Sounders FC)
2021
Ballard FC players, coaches and staff celebrate their first USL League Two championship before a capacity crowd at Starfire Stadium on Oct. 6, 2023. Ballard defeated Lionsbridge, 2-1, in the final. (Courtesy Ballard FC/Blake Dahlin)
2023
Seattle University went 9-1-1 at Championship Field in 2017. (Courtesy Seattle University Athletics)
2017
Melanie Jackson is one of the original Washington women's varsity members.
1991
1955
(Courtesy The Seattle Times)
1971
Paul Mendes (with trophy) guided Newport to an unbeaten season and the Knights' second state title (first in 4A) in 2003. (Courtesy Paul Mendes)
2003