Sounders FC launches a USL Pro team for 2015. Sounders 2 will play home games at Starfire Sports and Sounders Community Trust will hold a 20 percent interest in the team.

Charlie Lanphier makes six saves to keep it close, but Seattle University succumbs to Oregon State in overtime, 2-1, in the first-round NCAA game at Corvallis. The Beavers who lost at Seattle U Sept. 7 despite a commanding advantage in shots, are aggressive again, finishing 23-3 in shots. Although Mo Mohamed forces extra time, Fran Cortijo quickly gets OSU the winner in 1:43.

Matti Niemela busts loose for six goals in Loyal Realty's 10-1 sinking of winless Holland America at Lower Woodland. The Finnish-born Niemela gets support from Reidar Olsen's brace as the Vikings stay within a point of Buchan.

It's not easy beating your rival three times, let alone four, in the same season, but No. 4 Seattle Pacific does just that in the NCAA West Region championship game in Dallas. Sophie Beadle earns a first-half penalty kick and scores shortly after intermission to inspire a 2-1 win over 13th-ranked Western Washington. Beadle is fouled in the box by WWU goalkeeper Natalie Dierickx in the 12th minute. Claire Neder converts the ensuing penalty kick. Beadle makes it 2-nil with a shot off the left post in the 52nd minute. It's the fourth regional title SPU but first since 2008.

Richland's Hope Solo and U.S. National teammate Sydney Leroux commit to playing for Seattle Sounders Women in 2012. Solo spent the past four seasons in Women's Professional Soccer, but on Jan. 12 the WPS suspended operations for the 2012 season. Coming off a five-Leroux grew up just north of the Washington-British Columbia border, in Surrey. She's coming off a five-goal game in January during Olympic qualifying. On Feb. 26, Alex Morgan is added to the roster. Morgan's boyfriend, Servando Carrasco, plays for Sounders FC.

Bellevue's Bernie James moves to Edmonton and starts on defense for the Drillers in their first NASL playoff game in six seasons, 2-0 win over Houston. James, 21, spent the previous two seasons with the Sounders reserves. Elsewhere, Washington residents Tony Crudo (California) and Danny Vaughn (Memphis) are also regular starters.