Seattle Wolves players shine in local collegiate soccer

October 3, 10:34 AMSeattle Soccer ExaminerDavid Falk

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Casey Cunningham is back at school with the Washington Huskies. (Seattle Wolves photo)

Sent to us by Alex Caulfield, Seattle Wolves FC

(SEATTLE, WA) – In early 2009 the technical staff of the Seattle Wolves Football Club began recruiting some of the top collegiate soccer players in the United States to join the club for its inaugural season in the United Soccer Leagues.

If the Wolves were to compete in the USL Premier Development League, it was vital for the club’s staff to uncover technically gifted players that could mount a challenge against the skilled sides in the PDL Northwest Division.

After an incredibly successful 2009 campaign in which the Wolves posted an 11-4-3 record and reached the Northwest Division Final, it was clear that the club’s success was bolstered by a large number of prominent local products.

Since the Wolves post-season exit many of these local stars have rejoined their collegiate sides and have picked up where they left off in the summer.

The 2009 Seattle Wolves featured three current Seattle University players and six players from the University of Washington. Ironically, the two sides faced one another in their opening match of season on September 1st, and several Seattle Wolves had an impact on the fixture.

Ty Klein was a defensive stalwart for the Wolves in the Premier Development League, and he secured Washington’s 1-0 victory over their local rivals by making a match-saving tackle in injury time.

University of Washington forward Casey Cunningham was the Wolves’ leading scorer in 2009, and he was nearly on target against Seattle University, pushing a volley just wide of goal.

The best scoring chance of the match for Seattle U came in the 87th minute when Wolves defender Demaci Roussos hit a low driven shot that was narrowly parried by Washington goalkeeper Rylan Hawkins.

#26 Seattle University defender Demaci Roussos. (courtesy of Seattle University).

Following this contest, Seattle University headed to Notre Dame University to participate in the Hilton Garden Inn Mike Berticelli Memorial Tournament. Taking on the likes of nationally ranked Indiana University and New Mexico, the Redhawks were sternly tested in South Bend against strong competition.

Seattle Wolves winger Sean Morris set the PDL Northwest Division alight in 2009, and his skill on the flanks earned him a spot on the All-Tournament Team in Indiana. Morris was joined by Roussos, who nearly equalized for the Redhawks against twelfth-ranked Indiana in a highly contested 2-0 loss.

Roussos continued his excellent form against Oregon State by scoring the lone goal to give Seattle University its first win as a Division I institution over a Pac-10 opponent since the school’s reclassification process began. For his efforts the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation named Roussos player of the week.

Back on Montlake University of Washington fullback Jamie Finch has been exploiting the opposition with his pace. Finch routinely skinned opposing defense for the Seattle Wolves, and on September 27th against Cal Poly the tenacious defender contributed two assists in a 3-1 route.

Wolves striker Nick James has also featured prominently for the Huskies, while midfielder Taylor Hoss has played in every match to date and has bossed the midfield in the same manner that he did for the Wolves in the summer months.

With the diverse player pool that the Wolves fielded in 2009 it is encouraging to see so many of the local players excelling at their respective institutions.

SeattleWolvesFC.com will continue to follow the progress of these individuals in their collegiate seasons, along with the success of other players scattered around the United States.

Please continue to follow the website as we track current Wolves players at Stanford, UCLA, Santa Clara, Indiana, Michigan, and Wake Forest. 

Pumas keep three more

Bremerton, Wash. – The 2009 defending Northwest Division Champion Kitsap Pumas today announced that it has exercised the club option on midfielders Matt Friesen and Aziz Dieng and forward Zack Sampson. 

“We’re solidifying the nucleus of what was a very good team last season,” said owner Robin Waite. “This has been our top priority since the season ended.” 
2009 Individual Statistics

POS  PLAYER NAME  GP  Pts  Min   G  A  S  F

M  Friesen, Matt   15  8  1039   4    19  11

F  Sampson, Zack   8  1  177     1  2  4

M  Dieng, Aziz   6    202       2  6

***
2010 Season Tickets Now On Sale! Full season ticket packages for adults and teens are also now on sale and, while supplies last, each purchaser will receive either a 10-percent discount or an official Kitsap Pumas team scarf. 
The Pumas are also proud to announce the first season ticket for kids only  - and for only $25 kids 4-12 years of age will receive a pass to attend a minimum of 11 home exhibition and regular-season matches for the 2010 season. 
Packages may be purchased by visiting brownpapertickets.com or by visiting or calling club headquarters (360-377-6008; 4020 Wheaton Way in Bremerton.)
For further information, please contact Ben Pecora at 360-377-6008.