Submitted by FC Olympia
The Artesians announced Tuesday that two international goalkeepers from New Zealand and Japan would be rostering in a USL W League match at South Sound Stadium on Wednesday June 5, 2024. Shu Ohba is a Japanese National Team goalkeeper who earned her first cap on the Japan Senior Team last Friday in Spain. Ohba is a second year Artesian goalkeeper who attends Ole Miss University and plays collegiate soccer there.
Murphy Sheaff is listed as the other goalkeeper on the roster for FC Olympia tomorrow who hails originally from Australia but is on the New Zealand national team. Sheaff is in her first year with the Artesians and had a shutout in week one of USL W League play against the Tacoma Stars women’s team in a 4-0 rout at South Sound Stadium. Sheaff is a goalkeeper for division one Kansas State University and is also traveling from Spain to kickoff the fourth match for the Artesians in this years USL W campaign.
“It’s incredible to see the stars coming to our small town to play USL women’s soccer this year” said FC Olympia Owner Ryan Perkins. “I’m a bit biased because they’re goalkeepers but it’s awesome to see their commitment to playing summer ball here in Thurston County by getting on airplanes right after their international matches in Spain yesterday to play here tomorrow night.”
The Artesians hosted Reign FC II last Sunday in an event that featured pro women’s soccer legend Stephanie Cox. Fans and youth soccer players got to meet Cox and get her autograph. The match was a friendly between the to clubs to get both players pools more field time in a short 7-week season.
Tomorrow night the Artesians are also hosting two groups, the City of Lacey and North Thurston High School Unified Soccer Players who will be honored at halftime. Ticket specials are available at the door as well as autograph sheets for the players that roster for FC Olympia. For online ticketing click here.
The USL League Two Men return home Friday to faceoff against Crossfire Premier in an exhibition. It is also “Oly Town Artesian Alumni Night” and will feature former players at halftime and retro gear at surplus, clearance pricing. There will also be special retro decals and stickers to hand out to all the children that come to the match on Friday.
The club will also feature it’s Evergreen Premier League (EPLWA) men’s team at halftime as EPLWA Head Coach Nick Boatright will share a word with the crowd on how to support his men’s side who are currently in the middle of their summer 2024 season.
Kickoff is set for 7PM on Friday night for the USL men who are currently 0-3-1 in the Northwest Division having lost to Midlakes FC in Bellevue, Washington last Sunday.
Nico Wiskel scored in the 72nd minute however Midlakes would respond with a scramble in the penalty box. Goalkeeper Avary Olson got the starting nod from Head Coach Jason Dunn after Santa Clara University keeper Jackson Ozburn had played three full matches in goal to open the season for the Artesians in USL League Two play.
The dagger for Midlakes would end up being an Artesian own goal header from Beckham Uderitz sailing accidentally beyond Olson’s reach in the closing minutes for the Artesians to lose 2-1. The USL men look to their exhibition Friday to gain their first overall win of the year. Tickets are available by clicking here.
Follow FC Olympia on their website or on their Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Tickets are available online as well as replica jerseys and scarves.
