While broader views of this past year are as mixed as imaginable, there’s no mistaking 2016 as vintage in terms of Washington teams’ feats on the pitch. National championships at the professional and collegiate levels, along with some watershed seasons for certain programs, made this a year to remember for many.
Here are a few teams who will treasure the memories of 2016 because it was a very, very good year.
Western Washington women – If the perfect season is to finish a campaign unbeaten, untied and No. 1 in the nation, then the Vikings were almost perfect. They reeled off 24 consecutive victories after an opening draw to win their first NCAA Division II crown. Western (24-0-1) had been knocking on the door for three seasons before ending Grand Valley State’s three-year reign with three sensational strikes from distance in the title match.
Sounders FC – Left for dead in late July, Seattle made a coaching change and the addition of one very special Uruguayan maestro brought about a reversal of fortune for the ages. Never mind losing their most goal-dangerous player, the Sounders went 12-3-5 down the stretch to reward the land’s largest fan base with the first top-flight championship.
Seattle United B98 Copa – One of the special youth sides in state history, United nearly came all the way back from a national runner-up finish. As it was these U17s easily repeated as state and regional champion before being stopped the semifinals of the US Youth Soccer Association Championships on penalties. It will be interesting to watch how some of these players figure in our state’s soccer future.
More teams of merit:
Bellevue High School girls – First the Wolverines (19-0-2) disposed of nationally-ranked Seattle Prep in the semifinals, then proceeded to claim their first state (3A) championship.
Camas High School girls – This marked the school’s fifth state title (the boys own three 3A trophies) as the Papermakers went 21-0-1 in 4A.
Central Washington women – In their 30th seasons the Wildcats earned their first NCAA D2 berth, thanks to a school-record win total (14-6-1).
Eastern Washington women – The Eagles (13-5-4) were a surprise winner of the Big Sky Conference tournament, making the NCAA tournament in their 20th year.
Eastside FC G98 Red – Eastside dominated the Region IV championships and returned to USYSA nationals for the third time in four summers. Stanford-bound Jojo Harber also starred for Bellevue High.
Pacific Lutheran women – The Lutes returned to a national tournament for first time in 24 years with a conference title and the fewest losses (16-1-4) in the storied program’s history.
Tacoma Stars – In their first full season in MASL, the Stars were a smashing success, earning a playoff berth after going 13-7 and more than doubling attendance at ShoWare Arena.
Washington men – Perhaps the Huskies peaked too soon, sweeping UCLA and beating Stanford away. They took second in the Pac-12 and made it to the NCAA tournament’s third round.