A Pivot Toward the Light

1988 – Around the World and Close to Home

After eight years and 1.5 million dead, the Iran-Iraq War ends, a Libyan terrorist bomb explodes in a Pan Am 747 jet over Scotland, killing 259 plus 11 more on the ground, and Friendship One, a Boeing 747-SP, completes a flight circling the globe in a record 36 hours, 54 minutes. At home, the Washington State Convention & Trade Center opens in Seattle along with nearby Westlake Center, the Seattle Seahawks win their first division title and are sold by local businessmen to Ken Behring and Ken Hoffman, both of California, and the triumvirate of Dale Ellis, Tom Chambers and Xavier McDaniel leads the Sonics to the playoffs and their best win total in five years.

A Pivot Toward the Light

If there was a month when American soccer – and Washington along with it – pivoted toward the light, it was July 1988. With the professional outdoor game under water and now Major Indoor Soccer League beginning to circle the drain, the soccer community was in dire need of good news. It arrived in the wee hours of Independence Day.

The world’s game had long struggled to gain a firm foothold in America, and FIFA sought to remedy that by awarding the 1994 World Cup to the United States. Washington state residents are particularly anxious because Seattle’s Husky Stadium is among the venues under consideration for matches. Still, word of that decision would be 2-3 years away. If there was anything the soccer community would again have to exercise, it would be patience.

For young players, however, the World Cup represented a goal, finally something to shoot for. Included in the U.S. bid was a promise to re-launch a professional league. The national team, which hadn’t played in a World Cup since 1950, would require added investment, if it was to hold its own amongst the globe’s giants in six years’ time.

By the end of the month, there would be other telltale signs that the highest levels of the sport were on the rebound. More than 10,000 attended the final two FC Seattle home games, combined before that, the club gatherings had numbered around 1,500. Some of it could be attributed to nostalgia (a Seattle Sounders reunion game), rivalry (Portland being the opponent in the doubleheader) and the attraction of playing for a championship (the Storm beating San Jose convincingly). Whatever, there was definitely a buzz again.

In Tacoma, the Stars started July on life-support. Despite drawing record crowds while reaching the league finals in 1987, they had been bleeding millions of dollars during their first five seasons, and now MISL, which had helped push the NASL off the cliff four years before, now wavered on the precipice. Less than a week after the World Cup announcement, Tacoma followed three other teams over the brink. Or so it seems.

Less than a month later, a new ownership group emerges, pumping new life into the Stars. They bring back their iconic star, Preki, and rehire Alan Hinton as coach.

On the collegiate front, the state continues to gain respect. Colleen Hacker’s Pacific Lutheran pushes past intracity rival Puget Sound and wins the first women’s collegiate championship, at the NAIA tournament.

With Division I in-state programs relatively under-funded and women’s programs non-existent (Washington State coming online in 1989), Washington’s top players are leading other programs to success. Shannon Higgins propels North Carolina to another NCAA crown and Kasey Keller is among a cast of locals who help Portland reach the men’s finals. Michelle Akers, whose Central Florida is eliminated by UNC in the quarterfinals, is voted national player of the year.

Brent Goulet is the top scorer for the U.S. Olympic team which reaches the Seoul Summer Games, and Keller is joined on the U20 National Team by Chris Henderson and Clint Carnell.

TACOMA STARS
Season Record
27-29, 4th MISL West Quarterfinals
Coach
Alan Hinton (3rd year), Jimmy McAlister (1st year)
All-League
Preki
Top Scorer
Preki (53 goals)
FC SEATTLE
Record
10-2-0, 1st place Western Soccer Alliance champion
Head Coach
Tommy Jenkins (2nd year)
Best XI
Grant Gibbs, Jeff Stock, Peter Hattrup, Eddie Henderson
Top Scorer
Peter Hattrup (6 goals)
COLLEGIATE
Women's Collegiate Champions
Pacific Lutheran, NAIA
Men's Collegiate Postseason
Seattle Pacific, D2 quarterfinal
Women's Collegiate Postseason
Pacific Lutheran, NAIA champion
Men's Conference Champions
Whitworth, NCIC
Women's Conference Champions
Pacific Lutheran, NCIC
NWAC Men's Champion
Skagit Valley d Edmonds, 1-0
WASHINGTON YOUTH SOCCER
President
Gerald Larson
Member Associations
33
Players
75,097 (b: 56,632 g: 18,465)
Largest Attendance
17,251, Tacoma Dome, MISL All-Star Game
Largest Amateur Attendance
6,427, Memorial Stadium, FC Seattle v FC Portland, WSA regular season

1988: A Pivot Toward the Light

As professional leagues struggled, suddenly news of the World Cup coming to America creates a buzz again.

Goulet Scores, U.S. Exits Olympics
September 22, 1988

Brent Goulet of Tacoma scores, but the United States is eliminated from the Olympic Games by a 4-2 loss to the Soviet Union in Taegu, South Korea. The U.S. (0-1-2) needed a win in the final group stage match but fell behind 4-0 before Goulet's screamer from a Ricky Davis assist in the 65th minute.

Puget Sound Knocked Off at Cal
October 6, 1988

California, ranked No. 3 among Division I women, deals Puget Sound its first loss, 4-0, at Berkeley. The Loggers, ranked No. 1 in NAIA, had entered the match 9-0-0, including wins over Div. I San Francisco (2-0) and Portland (2-1, overtime) in September.

Henry Contributes to U.S. Victory
June 1, 1988

Lori Henry contributes her third international goal and is among four Washingtonians to play in a United States 5-2 win over Japan in Pun-Yu, China. Henry gives the Americans a 4-nil leadin the 39th minute. Shannon Higgins and Michelle Akers each assist on scores by Carin Jennings. Amy Allman gets the win in goal and posts her first shutout of the year June 5's 0-0 draw with Czechoslovakia.

Storm Rallies to Beat Portland in OT
July 9, 1988

Peppering Portland with a league-record 33 shots, FC Seattle rallies to win in overtime, 3-2, before its largest crowd in four years – 6,427. Peter Hattrup’s chip over Todd Strobeck from 15 yard in the 13th minute of extra time seals it and clinches a playoff berth. Dennis Gunnell and Eddie Henderson also find the net for the Storm.

Lutes Defeat Loggers for Regional Title
November 12, 1988

Pacific Lutheran finally is able to push its way past intracity rival Puget Sound and advance to the NAIA semifinals. The No. 3-ranked Lutes defeat the No. 2 Loggers, 3-1, for the regional championship at Forest Grove, Or., to complete a run of six straight must-win games to reach extend their season. PLU never trails after Sue Shroeder's 35-yard strike two minutes into the match. Sonya Brandt makes it 2-nil early in the second half and, after UPS pulls a goal back, seals it with her 29th goal at 80’ on Wendy Johnson's 14th assist. Puget Sound had beaten PLU during the season. PLU beat Willamette, 3-0, in the regional semifinals.

Touring FC Seattle Draws at Hull City
August 16, 1988

Tad Willoughby scores twice as the Storm’s England tour ends with a 2-2 draw at Second Division Hull City. FC Seattle had lost to Oldham (2-0, 2nd), Middlesbrough (3-0, 1st) and Sunderland (3-0, 2nd) and also drawn, 2-2, at Lincoln City (4th).

Big Crowd Welcomes Back Stars
November 4, 1988

A crowd of 12,218 greets the resurrected Tacoma Stars on opening night. The Stars, featuring Schmetzer brothers, Brian, Andy and Walter, lose to Dallas, 6-5, in triple overtime. Peter Ward scores three goals for Tacoma. Walt Schmetzer is stretchered from the field in the fourth quarter with a season-ending knee injury.

England, El Salvador Win Amputee WC
September 5, 1988

England rallies from a 3-0 halftime deficit to beat defending champion El Salvador, 4-3, in the indoor final of the Amputee Soccer International World Cup at the Woodinville Soccer Center. In the outdoor final at Shoreline Stadium, El Salvador defeated Seattle, 3-0. Teams from four nations compete in the third annual event. The English national team features three former pros.

Olson Completes Indiana's NCAA Victory
December 4, 1988

Renton’s Matt Olson makes a pair of routine saves in his 27 minutes in relief of Sommer, enabling Indiana to defeat Howard, 1-0, in the NCAA championship game at Bloomington, In. Olson had missed all of 1987 with a thumb injury and played in only 8 games prior to replacing Hoosiers starting goalkeeper Juergen Sommer, who sustained a broken nose. Three of the four teams reaching the semifinals feature Washington players. Portland has six key contributors, and South Carolina has Kent’s Mike Gosselin starting on defense.

FIFA Reps Tour Husky Stadium
April 17, 1988

FIFA technical group completes a weeklong inspection of Husky Stadium, which is included in U.S. bid for 1994 World Cup. Paul Stiehl, head of U.S. organizing committee, claims natural turf can be successfully laid over existing artificial surface. UW athletic director Mike Lude wants assurances that the sand, gravel and sod won’t damage the football field.

Huskies Sweep Bay Area
October 9, 1988

Jeff Aumell nets a pair of goals in the opening 18 minutes, and Washington beats Stanford, 5-2, for the championship of the Pacific Coast Tournament in Berkeley. Glenn Howell scored in 1-0 win over host California the day prior. The Huskies are now 8-2-0.

James, Megson Earn First U.S. Caps
June 1, 1988

Bernie James and Neil Megson make their U.S. National team debuts in Clasico International opener vs. Chile (1-1) at Stockton, Ca. It is the first competitive outdoor play for either since 1983 and comes five weeks after completing the indoor season with Tacoma. James starts in defensive midfield and is replaced by Megson after 45 minutes. Two days later vs. Chile (1-3) in San Diego, James and Megson start together as center backs.

World Cup Coming to America
July 4, 1988

At 4:21 a.m. Pacific Time, FIFA executive vice president Harry Cavan announces from Zurich that the 1994 World Cup will be coming to the U.S. Morocco and Brazil finish second and third in the balloting. A gathering of soccer community leaders and players gather with local media at Seattle Pacific University, where coach Cliff McCrath predicts soccer will take “center stage” in the nation by 2000. Husky Stadium is among 18 stadia in 16 cities under consideration to host matches.

Preki Clinches Assist Record, Loses Scoring Race
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.

Pacific Lutheran Wins National Title
November 20, 1988

Pacific Lutheran become the state’s first women’s collegiate champions, taking the NAIA title, 2-0, over Hardin-Simmons, in windy Abilene, Texas. Laura Dutt and Sonya Brandt score in the second half for the Lutes – Brandt scoring her record 127th career goal and 32nd of the season. Gail Stenzel earns her 15th shutout and 42nd for her career. Brandt is named the tournament’s most outstanding player, and Colleen Hacker is voted coach of the year.

Portland Clinches First NCSC Title
October 29, 1988

Portland clinches its first Northwest Collegiate Soccer Conference title and stays perfect (18-0-0) with a 1-0 victory over Seattle Pacific. Woodinville's Trent Schultz sets-up Rob Baarts for the Pilots' goal in the fourth minute, and Olympia's Kasey Keller gets the shutout without making a save. Portland is ranked No. 2 in NCAA Division I and SPU is No. 2 in Division II after entering the game on a seven-game win streak.

Americans Draw with Argentina in Olympic Opener
September 18, 1988

Brent Goulet of Tacoma and Ricky Davis of the Tacoma Stars both start for the U.S. in its Olympic Games opener vs. Argentina in Taegu, South Korea. A free kick from Davis leads to the U.S. goal by Mike Windischmann in the 70th minute of the 1-1 draw.

Falcons Can't Beat Northridge Third Time
November 19, 1988

Proof that it's difficult to beat an opponent three times in a season, No. 3 Seattle Pacific falls victim to No. 12 Cal State Northridge, 3-2, in an NCAA Division II quarterfinal at Memorial Stadium. The Matadors, who had forfeited to SPU and been beaten at home, score 7:20 into overtime to snap the Falcons' 28-game home unbeaten streak. Reece Olney scores both SPU goals, and Roberto Reyes has a hat trick for CSUN.

Stars Rise Up Late, Beat Sting
February 19, 1988

Down 4-2, the Tacoma Stars pull their keeper and proceed to score three times in the final 1 minute, 17 seconds to beat Chicago, 5-4, before 9,984. Steve Zungul's 36th goal starts the rally with 77 seconds to go. Eleven ticks later, Peter Ward ties it. Gary Heale completes the comeback victory, scoring with 30 seconds remaining. It snaps a four-game Tacoma (16-18) losing streak.

Tacoma Takes 10th Straight Road Loss
January 15, 1988

Tacoma's road woes continue as the Stars lose their 10th straight away game, 10-3, at league-leading San Diego (18-6). The Sockers' Paul Dougherty scores four times. Tacoma (11-13) has not won since the season's first road game, Nov. 7 at Los Angeles. Four of the 10 losses have been by one goal, two in overtime.

Cruz Azul Crushes Seattle Amateurs
May 11, 1988

Cruz Azul, featuring five Mexican internationals, drubs Seattle Mitre Eagles, 9-0, in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup. The Eagles’ flights are delayed and connections missed. Instead of arriving the night before, their bus arrives at the stadium 20 minutes before kickoff, in 100-degree heat.

Rams' 35th Straight Win is Sweetest
May 28, 1988

Led by Ben Erickson and Todd Haley goals, Mount Rainier runs its unbeaten streak to 35 games by winning the state boys' AA title, 3-0, over Spokane’s West Valley at Memorial Stadium. The Rams (19-0-1) go on top in the third minute through Nathan Calvin. Erickson (20') doubles it and Haley seals the successful repeat with a penalty kick (50'). Mount Rainier, playing with 10, was forced to rally for the tying goal and surviving a shootout in the semifinal with Mark Morris. Previously unbeaten West Valley finishes 18-1-1.

WA Players Push Portland to NCAA Semifinal
November 27, 1988

Woodinville's Trent Schultz and Federal Way's Jim Weber score, and Olympia's Kasey Keller posts his 13th shutout to send Portland to the NCAA semifinals with a 2-0 quarterfinal win over Fresno State at Merlo Field. The Pilots (21-0-0) are ranked No. 2in the nation.

After 5 Seasons, Stars Close Shop
July 8, 1988

Following an unsuccessful, last-minute season ticket drive with an objective of 2,000 new sales, the Tacoma Stars fold. They are joined by Chicago and, since the season ended, St. Louis and Minnesota. “The grass-roots support for this team was tremendous,'' said board chairman Lowry Wyatt. ''But the business marketplace was just not able to support this size of an operation.'' 'It's an incredible loss,'' said Nancy Mendoza, a 13-year resident of Tacoma who organized 100 volunteers in an effort to meet the goal of selling 2,000 season tickets. ''The Stars provided the energy that a community needs to move forward. Now we just have to regroup.''

Finnair Supplants Cozars as State Champion
April 30, 1988

Finnair Mavericks end the four-year reign of Cozars as state women’s champions. Bonnie Broughton, from a Karla Hossfeld assist, scores the only goal in the final. Kristen Weiss posts the shutout as the Mavericks move on to the regional.

Henry Moves Up, Scores Three
October 20, 1988

In North Carolina's penultimate regular season game, Seattle’s Lori Henry responds to a rare start at forward to fire three goals past UNC Greensboro in a 4-0 win at Chapel Hill. Henry, normally a fixture on defense, begins her hat trick with a header from a Shannon Higgins corner kick. Her other two come via a breakaway and a 15-yard shot. The top-ranked Tar Heels extend their unbeaten streak to 64 games.

Lutes Reach First NAIA Final
November 18, 1988

Sonya Brandt's second goal beats defending champion Berry and propels Pacific Lutheran to its first NAIA championships game in Abilene, Tx. Brandt finishes a Karin Gilmer pass for a first-half lead. After Berry ties it in the 62nd minute, Brandt strikes again off a Wendy Johnson assist.

Sounders Beat Timbers in Reunion
July 9, 1988

In the first Sounders reunion game since 1982, the Seattle alums beat their Timbers counterparts, 1-0, behind Roger Davies goal. The game is held prior to the Seattle-Portland Western Soccer Alliance fixture. Among former NASL players returning are Davies, Tommy Hutchison, Jimmy Gabriel, Frank Barton, Steve Buttle, Tony Chursky, Ray Evans, Pepe Fernandez, Dave Gillett, Tommy Jenkins, Jimmy McAlister, Neil Megson, Tommy Ord, Mark Peterson, Roy Sinclair, Mike Ivanow, Adrian Webster, Jack Brand and Peter Ward.

Stars Eliminated by Sockers
April 29, 1988

After an encouraging split in Sand Diego, the Tacoma Stars are eliminated from the MISL playoffs by a second straight home loss to the Sockers, 7-6, to clinch the series 3-1. Tacoma's most turbulent season before 7,297 in the Tacoma Dome.

Early Goals, Koch's 12 Saves Key Storm road Win
July 16, 1988

Seattle strikes early, getting goals from Eddie Henderson and Peter Hattrup in the first seven minutes, and Jeff Koch makes a record 12 saves for a 2-1 win over the California Kickers at Tom Bradley Stadium. Both Henderson and Hattrup have scored in three consecutive games.

Tacoma Taps Ramos in MISL Draft
June 18, 1988

Tacoma selects Tab Ramos of North Carolina State with the No. 1 overall pick in the MISL draft. Instead of signing the Stars, he joins the New Jersey Eagles and two months later is selected to play for the U.S. in the 1988 Olympic Games.

Goulet Brace Leads Oylmpic-Bound USA
May 25, 1988

Tacoma's Brent Goulet scores twice within 16 minutes, lifting the United States to a 4-1 victory over El Salvador in an Olympic soccer Group A qualifying match in Indianapolis. The U.S. had already clinched a berth in the Seoul Games. Goulet leads the team with six goals during qualifying.

Tournaments Are No Time to Rest
September 9, 1988

Early-season collegiate tournaments provide opportunities for teams to play out-of-state teams yet they are also a test of depth and fitness. The Evergreen State College conducts an invitational men's tourney in Olympia with teams playing twice on the first day, then a third match the following day before cost-conscious visitors return home. The Far West Classic, which has rotated between Washington and California since 1973, involves eight teams playing single games over three consecutive days of Labor Day weekend, often in high heat.

Kennedy Completes Unbeaten Season in Girls' AAA
November 19, 1988

Jamie French once again plays the creator role as Kennedy makes a late first-half goal stand up for a 1-0 victory over Issaquah for the state girl's title at Renton. French, who assisted on the Lancers' two semifinal goals, sees her shot saved but Dee Dee Robertson slams home the rebound in the 36th minute. Kennedy finishes undefeated (20-0-1) while allowing just three goals and posting 18 shutouts.

Stars Are Born Again
August 4, 1988

Tacoma is officially readmitted to MISL. Jim Manza, Fife restauranteur, heads a new group of 28 investors who contribute $10,000 each plus a $10,000 line of credit. They negotiate with the City of Tacoma for $400,000 in concession revenue, flexible Tacoma Dome scheduling and a waiver of dome rental fees and staffing charges. The administrative budget projected at $250,000, or about 33 percent of last year's costs. The reinstatement comes four weeks after the original ownership ceased operations.

Terrace Girls First to Repeat
November 19, 1988

Mountlake Terrace becomes the state’s first repeat WIAA girls' champion at any level, beating Olympia, 6-0, at Renton Stadium. Janelle King caps her 12-goal postseason with a hat trick in the AA final. Angie Fluery, Julie Wheeler and Mandy Johnson round out the scoring.

Sixty Acres Expansion Rejected
July 21, 1988

King County Parks rejects the Lake Washington Youth Soccer Association’s request to construct another 12 fields on county-owned land in Redmond’s undeveloped Sixty Acres Park. LWYSA already has 19 fields for 13,000 youth players.

Promotion/Relegation Comes to NCSC
January 29, 1988

The Northwest Collegiate Soccer Conference votes to adopt a two-division men’s format, with the Olympic Division comprised of the top six teams from 1987 and the Cascade consisting of the remaining six. Following the 1988 season and from thereafter will be promotion and relegation.

Raiders Reclaim State Title
May 28, 1988

Thomas Jefferson reclaims the AAA boys' title, beating defending champ Cascade on penalties (4-3) after drawing, 3-3, at Memorial Stadium. The Bruins score three times – Clint Carnell twice and Bryan Larson – in the final 13 minutes to lead, 3-2, before the Raiders' Lawrence Buckley ties it in the final minute. Erik Kenyon and Jason Bowers score TJ's first two goals.

Pilots' Run Ends in Indiana
December 3, 1988

Indiana parlays the home-field advantage into a 1-0 NCAA semifinal win over a University of Portland team laden with Washington state players in Bloomington. Minus suspended captain Wade Webber of Federal Way, the Pilots (21-1-0) defense gives up a late first-half goal, only the seventh allowed all year. Freshman keeper Kasey Keller makes two point-blank saves in the final 25 minutes. Keller and Webber are among seven Washington players who start or play key roles. Indiana proceeds to win its third championship of the decade.

FC Seattle Blasts Quakes for Championship
July 30, 1988

After not scoring during the regular season, Bob Bruch scores twice in first eight minutes of the WSA championship match as FC Seattle smashes San Jose, 5-0, before 4,321 at Memorial Stadium. Bruch nods home Tad Willoughby's cross at 55 seconds, then adds a goal from outside the box in the 8th minute. The rout continues with John Hamel, Peter Hattrup and Chance Fry scoring. It’s the fifth straight win for the Storm, who leave the following day for a five-match tour of England and Scotland.

Preki MVP as West All-Stars Win
February 17, 1988

A Tacoma Dome crowd of 17,251 sees West, behind Preki’s hat trick, beat East, 9-3. Preki scored twice in the first quarter, after which West lead, 4-0. Preki is voted MVP over teammate Steve Zungul, who scored twice. Another Stars representative, Mike Dowler, makes 15 saves. It’s the second-largest crowd in MISL All-Star history.

Storm Clinches First Place
July 17, 1988

John Hamel scores twice in the final 20 minutes in oppressive heat at San Jose win to clinch the WSA regular season title for FC Seattle (10-2), 3-1, and home-field advantage in the championship game. Grant Gibbs heads in a Tad Willoughby corner kick to give the Storm a 1-0 first-half lead. After the Earthquakes’ Chris Dangerfield ties it, Hamel tallies from short range in the 71st minute and converts a rebound at 88:53. The game is played in 105-degree heat.

Reborn Stars Secure Preki's Return
September 20, 1988

Preki, 24, returns to Tacoma, taking a pay cut from his $75,000 salary. Portugal’s Estra De Amdadora had signed him to a three-year contact during the summer, but the Stars negotiate his release.

Hinton Returns to Coach Tacoma
August 9, 1988

Alan Hinton returns to coach born-again Stars, six months after being dismissed by former owners. His contract of $72,000 is nearly $50,000 less than what he was paid the first time around.

Loggers Leave It Late vs. Lutes
October 12, 1988

Top-ranked Puget Sound gets strong goalkeeping from Tresa McIlnay and hands previously undefeated and No. 4 Pacific Lutheran, 2-1, in overtime. After being out-shot 22-9, the Loggers' Beth Nacrelli scores with only 15 seconds remaining in the second extra period.

Pilots Dim Huskies' Postseason Hopes
October 23, 1988

Washington becomes only the third opponent to pierce Portland's defense, but the host Pilots (17-0-0) deal the Huskies a defeat that dims their postseason hopes, 2-1. Trent Schultz's goal in canceled out by Eddie Henderson's UW reply 10 minutes later, but Joey Leonetti finds the winner with 25 minutes to go. Washington falls to 11-3-1 with the remaining four games away.

Stars Staring at the Brink
June 15, 1988

Tacoma Stars seek $500,000 from new investors by June 30 or they will either fold or suspend operations. The Stars lost $1 million the past season and nearly $9 million since starting in 1983. Despite cost-cutting in operations, there is a projected $561,000 loss in 1988-89.

WA's Higgins Leads UNC to Threepeat
November 20, 1988

Kent’s Shannon Higgins scores three goals to lead North Carolina to its third straight NCAA title, 4-1 over North Carolina State in Chapel Hill. Higgins, the Tar Heels’ leading scorer with 13 goals and 17 assists, is named the most valuable offensive player. After a goal and two assists in a semifinal win over Wisconsin, Higgins opens the scoring in the 30th minute, then adds two penalty kicks. Meanwhile, defender Lori Henry, another Washingtonian, stifles ACC top scorer Charmaine Hooper to give the Tar Heels their third title in a row.

Goulet Powers U.S. to Seoul
May 25, 1988

Brent Goulet scores two goals in the first 24 minutes as the United States fifth successive Olympic Qualifying game, 4-1, over nine-man El Salvador in Indianapolis. It brings Goulet’s qualifying tally to six, and the U.S. is bound for the Summer Games in Seoul. Ricky Davis of the Tacoma Stars hits a 30-yard shot for the Americans’ final goal.

Seattle Pacific Caps 8-Game Trip with Win
September 17, 1988

Capping an eight-game road trip with style, No. 13 Seattle Pacific beats No. 18 Cal State Northridge, 2-0, and snaps the Matadors' 41-game home win streak. Jeff Storrs blanks CSUN while Bob McLaughlin and Brent Sytsma score second-half-goals. SPU goes 5-3-0 during the 17-day trip through California.

Hinton Out, McAlister In for Stars
February 23, 1988

Just six days after being the winning coach in the MISL All-Star Game in Tacoma, Alan Hinton is fired as coach of the Stars. He is replaced him with Jimmy McAlister, 31. Tacoma, reportedly rife with dissension in the locker room, is just 17-18 following a runner-up finish last season. The Stars are coming off two wins in three days, including just their third road win at Wichita. Hinton was 117-79, including playoffs. The next night the Stars beat L.A. in McAlister's coaching debut, 5-3.

Waters Breaks James's Blocks Record
April 4, 1988

Joey Waters of the Tacoma Stars breaks the MISL season record for blocks during a 5-4, double-overtime loss to San Diego before 11,374 partisan fans. Waters surpasses the mark of 138 blocks, set by teammate Bernie James while with Cleveland the prior season. Waters finishes the year with 153.

Eagles Draw, Go Out on Aggregate
June 2, 1988

In the second leg of their Champions Cup series, Seattle Mitre Eagles hold Mexico’s Cruz Azul to a scoreless draw in a steady rain at Memorial Stadium. The Eagles finish with a 15-5 advantage in shots, 8-1 in corner kicks. Attempts by Paul Retchless and Peter Hattrup hit the post and crossbar, respectively. Most of the estimated 500 fans root for Cruz Azul.

Storm Off to Best Start Ever
June 5, 1988

Two goals apiece from Grant Gibbs and Peter Hattrup lead FC Seattle Storm to a 5-0 win over L.A. Heat at Memorial Stadium. At 4-0 the Storm are off to their best start. They break open the game with three goals in seven minutes of the first half, beginning with Gibbs in the 34th minute. Hattrup follows with a 38' penalty kick and Eddie Henderson scores four minutes before halftime. Fifty-five fouls are called, tying the WSA record.

Rare Forfeit Win for SPU
September 3, 1988

Seattle Pacific's Far West Classic consolation final in Chico, Ca., is ruled a forfeit in the No. 2-ranked Falcons' favor after No. 11 Cal State Northridge fails to arrive for kickoff. It's only the third on-site forfeit in SPU program history and first since 1972.

Hellenkamp Stars Indoors
April 1, 1988

Tacoma's Chris Hellenkamp scores to pull Fort Wayne within a goal of Canton in the American Indoor Soccer Association final, but the Invaders hold on to win, 5-4. It's first-team all-league Hellenkamp's third straight year playing in an AISA final, having won with Louisville in 1987 and a runner-up finish the year prior.

Akers Named Collegiate Player of the Year
January 20, 1988

Michelle Akers, who prepped at Shorecrest and now plays for Central Florida, is named the college player of the year by the NCAA and the National Collegiate Soccer Coaches Association of America. Akers scores 11 goals to help UCF reach the 1987 NCAA semifinals. Adidas names Federal Way's Amy Allmann, Akers's UCF teammate, as Goalkeeper of the Year.

Storm Beats Boro, Former Coach
June 11, 1988

Former Sounders star and FC Seattle coach Bruce Rioch brings recently-promoted Middlesbrough of the English first division to Memorial Stadium to play the Storm as part of a four-match U.S. tour. Seattle wins, 2-1, on goals four minutes apart by Chance Fry and Eddie Henderson.

We want to win this thing, even without the luxury of fans. I don't miss all the pressure the coaches exerted on us. I find amateur soccer really refreshing playing for the joy of the game, not the money.
Eddie Krueger, former pro now electrical engineer playing for Seattle Mitre Eagles
None of us expected to make money, but we didn't expect to lose this much. There's no way I can go to the present guys and say we've lost almost $9 million, how about another one? They'd be out of their minds. They are too smart for that.
Tacoma Stars chairman Lowry Wyatt on the prospect of losing more money or seeking new investors to keep the club afloat
I think we gained a lot of respect from (Cruz Azul). They came in laughing at us, and by the end of the game they were worried about losing.
Tony Crudo, Mitre Eagles defender, following second-leg draw vs. Cruz Azul
Eddie (Henderson)'s been a revelation to us. Everybody expects something exciting to happen when he gets the ball.
Tommy Jenkins, FC Seattle coach, on the Storm’s celebrated new catalyst
There’s a great need for quality soccer fields. So many of the fields are simply dirt and gravel.
Washington Youth Soccer manager Mike Snodgrass
I'm shocked beyond belief. There was not the slightest bit of indication. This is a bolt out of left field. I was told that they were going to relieve me of my duties because they felt there were some problems on the team with harmony...We just won on the road and the guys were singing in the locker room. If that's not harmony, what is?
Alan Hinton reacting to his sudden firing as Tacoma Stars coach
It was a combination of us playing well and them not playing well at the back. They had lost to us twice before, and after we scored in the first 55 seconds, I think mentally they packed it in.
Peter Hattrup on how FC Seattle blew out San Jose in WSA title match
(Alan Hinton) getting fired had nothing to do with me that was the wishes of the club. I'm professional, but I don't like anybody to be hurt, even if it's Alan Hinton. Still, maybe it wasn't the right time for him to be changed. If they want to do it, they should do it at the beginning of the season or the end of the season. We miss his presence here, but we are professionals and we have to think about the franchise, this community and about ourselves.
Tacoma forward Steve Zungul, whose perceived feud with Alan Hinton contributed to the coach's midseason firing
We asked for water and they just laughed at us. It seemed they were trying everything they could to kill us.
Mike Mikacenic, Mitre Eagles coach, on Cruz Azul's refusal to delay kickoff or supply pregame water for his travel-delayed team
We've spent our money on tours instead of salaries.
Bill Sage, FC Seattle president
This will help the Storm. They need to play this type of soccer when we come in and when they come out to England. They are the best in the Northwest by quite a ways.
Bruce Rioch, Middlesbrough manager and former FC Seattle coach
The trickery of Preki, the strength of Zungul, the cunning of (Erik) Rasmussen. They put on a super show.
Alan Hinton, Tacoma Stars and MISL West All-Star coach
It's hard not getting paid, but at least we're going to be around next year.
Chance Fry, former pro now playing for FC Seattle
We just want to win. I always scream and yell, but my bitching is because I want us to play our best...I'm always going to bitch. I'm always going to scream and yell, but I'm always going to be good with my teammates. My bitching, my yelling, it's coming for their best, to be better players, to be better professionals, to make more in their lives, to be somebody. That's all it's about, my yelling and bitching. It's nothing personal.
Stars forward Steve Zungul on whether his demanding nature is wearing thin on his teammates
I'm sad for the sport, I'm sad for the players and I'm sad for the community.
Jimmy McAlister, Tacoma Stars coach after the original ownership group folds the club
We played Cruz Azul to a standstill and dominated the game. If not for some unlucky breaks it could have easily been 4-0, Seattle.
Mike Mikacenic, Seattle Mitre Eagles manager
(Peter) Hattrup adds another dimension up front. He is a player who loves a one vs. one situation. I think he could become one of the stars of the league.
FC Seattle coach Tommy Jenkins
We don't have the deep pockets. We've got to run the team like a business and stay within our budget.
New Stars part-owner Jim Manza after signing Alan Hinton to coach for far smaller figure than his former salary
It might just be the indoor game, but the crowds weren’t as knowledgeable about the game. We don’t draw the biggest turnouts with the Storm but we have a core of real soccer people. It’s nice to get out of the carnival atmosphere of indoor soccer. I guess I’m a purist.
Peter Hattrup on the differences between playing for the Tacoma Stars and FC Seattle Storm
We'd do anything it takes to keep the team here. We'd park cars if we had to. Of course, we're not saying if you'd get your keys back.
Tacoma Stars forward Gary Heale's remarks after the team is saved by new ownership and players taking pay cuts
I don’t really coach her anymore. I consult with her because that’s the kind of respect I have for her mind. So now, when we discuss her game, we don’t discuss it as player/coach. We discuss it basically as equals.
North Carolina coach Anson Dorrance on Shannon Higgins
We don't draw the biggest turnouts with the Storm, but we have a core of real soccer people. It's nice to get out of the carnival atmosphere of indoor soccer. I guess I'm a purist.
Jeff Stock, who leaves the Tacoma Stars to play with FC Seattle
That was the most amazing comeback in my 30 years of being associated with soccer. With 3:02 left, I said, `Dallas did it. Why can't we?'
Alan Hinton, Stars coach, referring to the Dallas comeback in Game 7 of the 1987 MISL Finals when Stars rally in final 1:17 to beat Chicago, 5-4
I haven't done any outdoor training at all. I coach a junior team, and I'll run around with them a little. But basically, this is my first serious outdoor game in five or six years.
Bernie James on earning his first U.S. National Team cap after playing exclusively indoor since 1983
In the history of high school state championships, this game has to be put down in every book.
Thomas Jefferson coach Jim Judson after the Raiders prevail over Cascade in a seesaw second half and shootout.
College & High School All-America (USC)
Player (Hometown) School (Div/Team/Pos)
Michelle Akers (Shoreline) Central Florida (D1/1st/F)
Lori Henry (Shoreline) North Carolina (D1/1st/D)
Shannon Higgins (Kent) North Carolina (D1/1st/M)
Shelley Separovich (Seattle) Colorado College (D1/1st/D)
Kasey Keller (Olympia) Portland (D1/3rd/G)
Chris McDonald (Port Moody, B.C.) Seattle Pacific (D2/2nd/D)
Brenda Bock (Des Moines) Western Washington (NAIA/2nd/D)
Sonya Brandt (Gresham, Or.) Pacific Lutheran (NAIA/1st/F)
John Gould (Spokane) Whitworth (NAIA/3rd/F)
Katia Lewis (Fairfax, Va.) Puget Sound (NAIA/1st/M)
Christi Offutt (Stanley, Ks.) Puget Sound (NAIA/2nd/D)
Jenny Schurmann (Bothell) Western Washington (NAIA/2nd/F)
Shelley Simmons (Des Moines) Puget Sound (NAIA2nd/F)
Gail Stenzel (Anchorage, Ak.) Pacific Lutheran (NAIA/2nd/G)
Clint Carnell (Everett) Cascade (F)
Chris Henderson (Everett) Cascade (M)
Kasey Keller (Olympia) North Thurston (G)
Shelly Robinson (Seattle) Blanchet
Collegiate Men's Records
Central Washington 6-4-1
Evergreen 8-6-6
Gonzaga 2-9-0
Pacific Lutheran 11-9-2
Puget Sound 5-11-2
Seattle University 3-11-0
Seattle Pacific 16-6-0
Washington 14-4-1
Western Washington 5-9-0
Whitman 10-9-2
Whitworth 17-3-2
Collegiate Women's Records
Central Washington 3-5-2
Evergreen 3-13-4
Pacific Lutheran 21-2-0
Puget Sound 15-5-0
Seattle University 1-8-4
Seattle Pacific (club) 1-5-1
Washington (club) 6-2-3
Western Washington 9-7-2
Whitman 11-4-2
Professional All-League
Player (Pos) Team (Lg-Tm)
Preki (F) Stars (MISL-1st)
Grant Gibbs (D) Storm (WSA-1st)
Jeff Stock (D) Storm (WSA-1st)
Daryl Green (D) Storm (WSA-2nd)
Peter Hattrup (F) Storm (WSA-1st)
Eddie Henderson (F) Storm (WSA-1st)
State Youth Recreational Cup Winners
Age BoysGirls
U11 Scorpios (CYSF)Star Shooters (CYSF)
U12 Skyhawks (CYSF)Scorpions (GRJSA)
U13 Team United (CYSF)Blazers (GRJSA)
U14 Timbers (CYSF)Strikers II (CYSF)
U15 Scorpions (CYSF)Lady Blues (CYSA)
U16 Killerhawks (CYSF)United (NYSA)
U17 not awardedLynnwood Flames (NCYSA)
U19 Raindogs (SSCJSA)Pride (TPCJSA)
Washington State Youth Champions
Age BoysGirls
U11 Hotshots (FWSA)
U12 Whalers (FWSA)Bicentennial Stars (HAS)
U13 Force (SYSA)Storm (FWSA)
U14 United (KYSA)Alliance (EYSA)
U15 Royals (SSCJSA)Nitro (EYSA)
U16 Aviation West (HAS)FC Royals 72 (TPCJSA)
U17 Sounders (TCYSA)none
U19 Sting (LWYSA)FC Royals 69 (TPCJSA)
WIAA Championship Games
Boys 4A Thomas Jefferson 3 4-3)Mead 3
Boys 3A Mount Rainier 1 (5-4)Lakeside 1
Boys1A (non WIAA) Charles Wright 3Bush 0
Girls 4A Kennedy 1Issaquah 0
Girls 3A Mountlake Terrace 6Olympia 0
On this Day in History
April 26, 1953
Buchan closes out the campaign by winning 10th annual five-a-side tournament, beating Vancouver juniors Norburn Legion, 3-1. Joe Lane scores four goals in five games and the Bakers finish with a goal-difference of 14-4.
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November 21, 2014
Brianna Smallidge and the Seattle University defenders keep 18th-ranked South Carolina off the scoreboard for 110 minutes yet the Gamecocks go on to the NCAA Round of 16, 0-0 (2-1) at Chapel Hill, N.C. Smallidge makes six saves, plus another in the fourth round of the shootout. But USC freshman Abbey Crider, who in making her first start stopped SU star Stephanie Verdoia the second overtime, makes another save in the fifth round before Chelsea Drennan converts the winner. It is the Redhawks' fifth shutout in the final six games.
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April 16, 1972
Bob Shoemaker's lone goal seals the second-half state league championship for Rainier Brewers. Mike Kuczi threads a through ball for Shoemaker to finish for a 1-0 victory over Auburn Sorensen's at Lower Woodland. The Brewers (7-1-0), upset by Triumph Continentals a week earlier, win the Puget Sound Navigation trophy and will face Olympia Brewing for the overall state title.
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November 3, 2001
Tafara Pulse and Jamie Nicolopolus score in the first eight minutes and Seattle University pounces on the opportunity to claim the first GNAC championship, 5-1, over Northwest Nazarene at Championship Field. A spurt of three more goals in a 10-minute span makes it a 5-nil runaway by halftime. The Redhawks win three of four down the stretch, scoring 14 goals.
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