Submitted by FC Olympia
The USL W League announced Tuesday the national rankings which has the Artesians at #4 in the country after beating #2 Northwest Conference rival United PDX 4-2. The women are set to play their final match of 2024 in Olympia, Washington, this Friday night, June 28, 2024, at South Sound Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. meanwhile doors open at 6:30 with a Steel Drum Band playing for the community including a special night planned for the national playoff clinching match. The game will feature special Pink “Afterglow” jerseys and will be available to the community.
The Artesians find themselves undefeated at 8-0-0 and ready to take on the Tacoma Stars women’s team for a third time this year. They have been able to stave off the league newcomers twice already this season but look to close the home chapter with a win Friday. The community is being asked to come out for a photograph at postgame to celebrate the USL W League clinching match. C-Sharp Images will be on hand providing an array of public photos of folks attending the match.
FC Olympia goalscoring is currently led with 8 goals by McKenna Martinez (Oregon State University) meanwhile three players share the second most goals at 4, Sadie Sider-Echenberg (University of South Florida), Ameera Hussen (University of Washington Graduate) and Hannah Boughton (Baylor University).
Friday’s ticketing is free for kid’s 13 and under and $13 general admission. Enjoy food trucks including Mi Pueblo (Burritos, Tacos, Quesadillas), Oly Dog House (Bratwurst, Hot Dogs, Burgers), Kona Ice (Hawaiian Shaved Iced) and Dancing Goats Coffee (Iced Coffee, Cocoa). There is a kid’s zone with several activities, autograph sheets and special jerseys for sale for the all-pink Afterglow Series Themed Night on Friday June 28. Tickets are available at fcoly.com.
The USL W League announced last week that the National Playoff Structure will have matches on July 5th and 7th that will feature one team from the Mountain Conference (Colorado), one team from Pacific Northwest (Oregon, Washington) and two from Northern California division. The team had to travel to Davis, California in 2023 to kickoff the West Coast Semifinals against California Storm and lost a tough back and forth battle 1-0. Head USL W Coach Raphael Cox looks to change that in 2024 with this next playoff trip to California next week.
Mariah Lee who is a professional soccer player with multiple clubs over the years will be on hand signing autographs at halftime. Mariah Lee was the leading goal scorer for the Artesians in 2023 before signing a pro contract with first division Australian club Adelaide United.
The team features over 40 NCAA division one female athletes from around the world. There are several players are from the Seattle, Olympia area originally but go to colleges around the United States. The USL W League is considered a summer path to professional league for college athletes to prepare for the next level of competition. Multiple players including Katherine Asman (USA, NWSL), Abby Jacobs (Portugal), Emma Eddy (Greece) and Emily Bunnell (Portugal) signed pro contracts after playing for the Artesians in 2023.
See the stars before they’re stars. The concept of the league is the community gets to witness the top college soccer all-Americans before they go pro. Follow FC Olympia for live updates and more on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter (X).
