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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Strong Seasons For Gonzaga Women, Whitman Men
November 9, 2019

Gonzaga women's soccer team ties the program record for most season wins with a thrilling 3-2 victory at Pacific. Madeline Gotta scores a goal and an assist in the win. The 12 victories is the most since 2007. A week before, Joe Wall scored in the 84th minute to cap Whitman’s comeback versus Linfield, 2-1, tying the program record for season wins at 13. It's the Blues' eighth straight win and 10th in 11.

Hibbitt Goal Sends Sounders to Soccer Bowl
September 10, 1982

Meeting for the third time in seven days with 5,400 air miles traveled in between, the Sounders and Strikers settle their NASL semifinal series but only after going into extra time. Kenny Hibbitt collects a loose ball, juggles it twice and his 19-yard shot somehow finds the corner for the sudden-death winner, 1-0, off the hand of Fort Lauderdale keeper Jan van Beveren. A Kingdome throng of nearly 29,000 erupts and continues roaring for several minutes as the weary winners take a lap of honor.

Eastlake Goes Undefeated, Repeats
May 31, 1997

Third-ranked nationally, Eastlake boys complete a second straight season undefeated (17-0-0) by beating Ferris, 1-0, for the Class AAA championship in Selah. Mike Casale's cross caroms off a defender in the 56th minute. The Wolves outscored opponents 83-4, including a 7-1 trouncing of North Thurston in the semifinals. They feature three youth national team players: Nick Downing, Mike Casale and Matt Flynn.

Seattle Ends Second Season on Upswing
September 29, 1996

John Olu Molomo completes his second hat trick of season as the SeaDogs wrap-up their second season by drubbing playoff-bound Detroit, 11-5 before a record crowd of 6,592 at KeyArena. Olu Molomo, a midseason acquisition from San Diego, finishes with 17 goals and eight assists in 12 games. During those 12 games, Seattle is 6-6. The SeaDogs score six straight goals beginning late in the second quarter and extending into the fourth. Local products Tim Bartro, Ben Erickson and Shannon Murray score two goals apiece, and Erickson has team-high 22 goals altogether.

Sweden Frustrates Solo, U.S. at Olympics
August 12, 2016

Defensively postured, Sweden extends the U.S. to penalty kick before prevailing, 1-1 (4-3) in a quarterfinal Olympic match at Brasilia. “I thought we played a courageous game,” Solo says afterward. “I also think we played a bunch of cowards. The best team did not win today. I strongly and firmly believe that.”

Pirates Prevail on Penalties
November 9, 2001

Whitworth upsets top-seeded regional host Macalester College, 1-1 (4-2), in a penalty-kick shootout in St. Paul, Minn., to advance to the third round of the NCAA Division III soccer tournament. Matt Knoll's goal at the 28:36 mark gives the Pirates an early lead, but Macalester answers with 3:01 left in regulation to force the first of two scoreless overtimes. Goalkeeper Ben Oakley makes consecutive saves in the shootout to send Whitworth to the next round.

Spokane skipper Luis Gil continued scoring big goals in 2025, including the opener in the Velocity's USL 1 semifinal vs. Portland (Maine). (Brandon Campea/USL Spokane)
2025
The NWSL was the first U.S. professional team sport to return amidst the pandemic. All players wore Black Lives Matter shirts prior to the kickoff at Herriman, Utah.
2020
Whitman College (white jerseys) battle Western Washington. (Whitman archives)
1978
Marcus Hahnemann of Seattle Pacific covers a loose ball before a Florida Tech player during a 1990 NCAA Division II semifinal. The Falcons' Brian Meier looks on. (Courtesy Seattle Pacific archives)
1990
Laura Harvey won NWSL Coach of the Year honors after Seattle Reign tripled its 2013 point total and finished first in the regular season. (Courtesy Seattle Reign)
2014
A jamboree commenced the CYO fall season at Catholic Memorial Stadium. Corner kicks were used to break ties. (Courtesy Seattle Times)
1955
Nate Jaqua is bloodied early but scores the late equalizer in the U.S. Open Cup semifinal win over Houston.
2009
Play between Oregon State and Puget Sound in Corvallis. (Courtesy Oregon State University archives)
1979
State U16 champion Cheney Studs Hustlers about to embark on a six-game tour of England.
1971
Jennifer Tissue became All-American for the Whitworth women's program in 1995. Tissue set the Pirates' single season record with 19 goals and was voted as NCIC Player of the Year.  (Courtesy Whitworth Athletics)
1995