Pictured from top left: Coaches Larry Shoemaker, Rob Hall and Craig Ueland (not pictured); 2nd row: Mollie McDonald, Sophia Ricci, Julia Westhoff, Mak Bond, Ciera Crone, Marie Hersberger, Bailey Hall, Cassidy Sinkula; bottom row: Gabby Purdy, Lauren Shoemaker, Tori Matheu, Kelli McCarroll, Valencia Souffront and Jaclyn Seifert (Lindsey Eten - not pictured)

On Saturday (Nov. 5th), Burien’s St. Francis of Assisi 6th grade girls took home the CYO Championship Trophy, defeating 18 greater Seattle CYO schools!

“These girls have played together since 3rd grade and have been undefeated for four years!” reads an email from Debbie Cutler.

Here’s another quote from Coach Craig Ueland:

“It isn’t easy to be successful. First, you need to decide you want to excel. Then it helps if you can set a lofty, but hopefully achievable goal. I know many of you set the goal of winning the CYO soccer championship when you were in 3rd grade. Once the goal is set, you need strive to achieve it, with all of the physical and mental challenges along the way. It is easy to give up, but with the goal in mind, you persevere. Many of the strongest teams slip up along the way, often even at the final hurdle of the championship game. Not this team. Not this group of girls, coaches, and families. Good things can take a long time to achieve, but it is remarkable what can be accomplished when you dream and then set out to achieve that dream with all your heart and skill.”

The fourth annual Andy MacDonald Scholarship Benefit Boys vs. Girls Soccer Game will be held Sunday, Nov. 27th at Noon at Highline Memorial Stadium.

All proceeds will go to the Andy MacDonald Fire Services Scholarship for the Puget Sound Skills Center Firefighting Program.

Admission is by donation, accepted at the stadium and after the game, where the gathering will continue at The Cove in Normandy Park.

Gates open at the stadium at 11:30 a.m.

Andy MacDonald www.andymacislove.org

To donate prizes for the raffle, or for more info, click here, or contact Becky MacDonald at 206-948-1859 or via email at beckym@lynden.com.

Here’s more info on Andy and this cause:

Andy was a friend, son, brother, and volunteer firefighter who at age 19 tragically lost his life in the November 6, 2006 flooding of the Cowlitz River. Andy was on a hunting trip with his family when the river bank at their campsite was washed away. Andy was in his truck at the time which was parked on the bank and he died before he could be rescued.

Out of tragedy something good can be born. In 2008, Andy’s family and close friends set up a scholarship in his name – the Andy MacDonald Fire Services Scholarship. Each November, in honor of Andy’s birthday and untimely passing, we hold a soccer game known affectionately as the ‘Boys vs. Girls’ game.  Fellow teammates and friends of Andy come out to play a charity game. Afterwards the teams hold a dinner auction/raffle which consists of items donated from local businesses and personal items that Andy’s family and friends contribute.  Last year over 200 people attended and we raised over $7,500.

The scholarship is set up at the Puget Sound Skills Center (PSSC) that Andy attended to begin his firefighting training.  The scholarship assists cadets in the PSSC Fire Services program by offering scholarships to colleges or trade schools the cadets wish to attend to continue their Fire service education.

(An interesting back-story is the commitment and effort Andy’s high school friends continue to put into this event.  They are now in their mid-20’s, entering into adult life.  As a middle aged ‘mom’ working on this benefit, it has been much fun to take direction from them.  I’m proud to know this next generation of Burien.)

To contribute to the Andy MacDonald Third Annual Boys vs. Girls Soccer Game please contact: Becky MacDonald 206-948-1859 or via email: beckym@lynden.com.

For more information on Andy MacDonald, here’s a link to a Facebook tribute page, chock full of great photos that will soon make those who didn’t know him feel like they actually did.

If you can’t make it to the game, you can also donate directly to:

Andy MacDonald Fire Services Scholarship Fund
c/o Puget Sound Skills Center
18010 8th Ave South
Burien, WA 98148

For more information, please visit www.andymacislove.org.

Here’s more from member Angel Laycock:

Hello,

My name is Angel Laycock and I play for a local soccer club, HPFC Eagles, and within our club we have a leadership group called the Senior Leadership Committee and our goal is to get our club involved in a lot of activities that we can do as a club for the community. Our group is lead by Maya Mendoza and it is a group of seven players who are in charge of planning events. So the reason for contacting you is that we have an event coming up called “Trick or Can,” and what we will be doing is on Sunday, October 30th between 3pm-5pm small groups of our club will be going around house to house to collect canned food and what we will do is send that canned food to three different food drives which include Highline Area Food Bank, White Center Food Bank, and West Seattle Food Bank. We will be in a couple different areas that include Normandy Park, Three Tree Point, North Admiral and a few other local locations. If you could post this event on your blog and advertise it so people can be prepared when we come around and just to get the word  out. Thank you so much!

Angel Laycock

Burien’s West Highline Soccer Club is now accepting registration for Fall 2011 Soccer, with openings for girls and boys ages 5-18-years old.

Costs range from $75-110 for the season (however, only Mini’s teams include uniforms & other gear) – please see the FAQs section at website for full details.

You can register online here: www.westhighlinesoccer.com, and the deadline is Aug. 1st.

Here’s more info:

Register Now…For Fall 2011 Soccer!

• Credit/Debit Card or Check* Payment
• Email confirmation of registration sent automatically
• We offer girls/boys teams from ages 5-18 years old – see website for information on which age group your child may play in
• Costs range from $75-110 for the season (however, only Mini’s teams include uniforms & other gear) – please see FAQ’s section at website
• Must provide a copy of your child’s government-issued birth certificate to (unless your child has previously played for WHSC)

*For those paying by check, your child will not be assigned to a team until payment has been received – no exceptions.

• No Computer? Please consider the following options:
• Use a computer at a public library
• If your child is a returning player, contact your coach
• If not able to access the above, contact Jennifer Fichamba, WHSC Secretary for more information, ph. 206 419 9515 or HYPERLINK “mailto:jenniferfichamba@yahoo.com” jenniferfichamba@yahoo.com

Make sure to view our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) section. Also read about our club sponsored “UK Soccer Summer Camp”, Referee Clinics, and Coaches Clinics on our website!

On Saturday, Nov. 27th, the third annual Andy MacDonald Scholarship Benefit “Boys vs Girls” Soccer Match was held, with the Girls winning for the first time with a score of 6-5.

Over 200 people attended both the game and the following party, which was held in memory of the late Andy MacDonald, a Highline High School student who was killed in a tragic accident during a storm in November, 2006.

Estimates are that around $6,000 was raised, all of which will go to the Andy MacDonald Fire Services Scholarship at the Puget Sound Skills Center.

Saturday was also Andy’s birthday, so the crowd sang “Happy Birthday” to him at halftime (he would’ve been 24).

For more information on Andy, here’s a link to a Facebook tribute page.

For anyone wanting to donate, you can still do so directly by sending a check to:

Andy MacDonald Fire Services Scholarship Fund
c/o Puget Sound Skills Center
18010 8th Ave South
Burien, WA 98148

For more information, please visit www.andymacislove.org.

Here’s more info from an email from Becky MacDonald, Andy’s sister”

The girls won this year 6 – 5 and it was a really good game.  The boys have won the past 2 years so it was a sweet victory!  There were probably 200 people at the game and party at the Cove.

It was also Andy’s birthday that day so everyone sang Happy Birthday to him at halftime.

We don’t have a final dollar amount, but estimate raising about $6000.00 this year, all of which goes to the scholarship fund.

We had many auction and raffle items at the party – all donated by friends, family and local businesses.  The food was prepared by several of the soccer players dads and it was fun watching them in the kitchen!

Everyone had a great time at the game and Cove and we look forward to next year.

I would like to thank everyone who contributed and came to the event for their support.  It’s so heartwarming to our family to see how many people love Andy and help to keep his memory alive.  He truly will never be forgotten!

Andymacislove.org is the website and we will be posting pictures there from the event.

Here are some photos from the game, courtesy Brittani Jenkins:

We received an email Thursday (Oct. 21) telling us that Evan Richter, a 2008 Highline High School graduate, will appear on the Fox Soccer Channel (channel 401) on Wednesday, Oct. 27th at 8pm in a live soccer match that will feature University of California Santa Barbara vs. California Poly Technical University San Luis Obispo.

According to the email:

Evan (#22, pictured left) plays defensive-mid for Cal Poly. He attended Marvista Elementary School and Sylvester Middle School, and played club soccer for 8 years with Highline Premier Soccer Club and 4 years with Highline High School varsity soccer.

According to the Cal Poly Athletics Website:

The four-year letter winner for Highline High School is a polished prep who has the potential to be an immediate threat for the Mustangs. The four-time first team all-league selection is one of the top-10 all-time career assist leaders for Highline. As a junior, Richter led his team in assists and was named by the Seattle Times as a “Player to Watch.” Richter helped lead his squad to state title games in 2005 and 2007. On the club level, Richter was an eight-year member of the HPFC/Heat ’89 coached by David Hoggan. Richter made the Washington State Olympic Development Program team in 2005 and 2006. His squads reached the Region IV ODP Championships. Also on the club level, Richter played for the WSYSA/ODP 1988 National Select All Star squad in 2007. Also in 2007, Richter was a Super Group Finalist at the Surf College Cup in San Diego, Calif. He also played in the Dallas Cup in 2007 and 2008 and has international experience in tournaments in Germany, Sweden and Ireland.

Coach Holocher on Evan Richter:
“Evan is a young man that we feel will grow into a very strong midfield player here at Cal Poly. What we all liked about Evan was his creativity on the dribble, his passing and his overall confidence on the ball. He has natural ability to change the tempo of the game, combine quickly or play direct. He also has the mentality to get forward from the midfield and score and create goals. He is also a tough kid that is willing to defend with intensity. As Evan adds strength to those skills, he will be able to compete for any of the midfield positions, either inside or outside. We are very excited about Evan joining us here at Cal Poly.”

So be sure to tune in another rising B-Town star Wednesday and cheer Evan on!

Did you know that the Seattle Somali community is hosting a Somali-American Youth Cup Soccer Tournament this week at Burien’s Highline Memorial Field?

Soccer clubs from around Somalia will play all week, and the tournament runs through this Sunday, Aug. 8th.

More info on the event can be found at http://somtv.org.

Here are some video clips from early games:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Our good friend Dan House alerts us to this inside scoop – he’s holding a top secret (yeah right), “soft opening” fundraiser breakfast at his new Tin Theater this Saturday morning, where you’ll be able to eat breakfast and watch the World Cup.

A $10 donation gets you in, where you’ll be among the first to sit in the brand spankin’ new theater and watch two games in high-definition on the big screen:

• 7am: Argentina vs. Nigeria
• 11:30am: England vs. USA (“USA! USA! USA!“)

All proceeds go to the Highline Schools Foundation, but remember…this is a secret, so don’t tell anybody.

The Tin Theater is located just west of the Tin Room Bar at 923 SW 152nd in Olde Burien.

Here’s a sneak peek pic of the inside of the theater during recent construction (don’t worry, it’ll be all shiny and clean for the games):

Tryouts will be at Chief Sealth Stadium on both Saturday, May 1st and Sunday, May 2nd.

Here are the details from an email:

HPFC GU16 & GU17 Soccer Tryouts!

Calling all girls in the U16 and U17 age group.  Highline Premier Football Club is happy to announce that we will be hosting tryouts this weekend.  Please feel free to join us!

• Saturday, May 1st: 
GU16 Chief Sealth Stadium 1:30p to 3p
GU17 Chief Sealth Stadium 3:30p to 5p
• Sunday, May 2nd
: GU16 Highline Stadium 1p to 2:30p
GU17 Highline Stadium 3p to 4:30p

Please download, complete and bring the form with you to tryouts – download here (as PDF file).

Questions?
 Email: hpfc.tryouts@gmail.com

DIRECTIONS/MAPS:

• Chief Sealth Stadium
• Highline Stadium & Moshier Park

HPFC U13-U15 Soccer Tryouts!

Calling all boys and girls in the U13 thru U15 age group.  Highline Premier Football Club is happy to announce that we will be hosting tryouts on the following days and times.  Please feel free to join us!

We are hosting a parent information night on Monday, May 3rd from 7p to 8p at Starfire Sports Complex. This informational meeting is an excellent opportunity to learn about HPFC, its soccer curriculum, as well as meet its coaching staff.

• Saturday, May 8th
BU13 Valley Ridge 4p to 5:30p
BU14 Valley Ridge 4p to 5:30p
  • U15 Valley Ridge 6p to 7:30p
GU13 Chief Sealth Stadium 12:30p to 2p
  • GU14 Chief Sealth Stadium 2:30p to 4p
GU15 Chief Sealth Stadium 4:30p to 6p

• Sunday, May 9th
BU13 Highline Stadium 1p to 2:30p
BU14 Highline Stadium 4p to 4:30p
  • BU15 Highline Stadium 5p to 6:30p
 GU13 Highline Stadium 9a to 10:30a
  • GU14 Highline Stadium 9a to 10:30a
GU15 Highline Stadium 11a to 12:30p

Please download, complete and bring the form with you to tryouts – download here (as PDF file).

Questions?
 Email: hpfc.tryouts@gmail.com

DIRECTIONS/MAPS:

• Chief Sealth Stadium
• Highline Stadium & Moshier Park
• Valley Ridge Park
  

by Ralph Nichols

Just as it is for all soccer teams, the fall season is winding down players in a soccer program conducted by New Futures and the Greater King County Police Athletic League. But this is the first year for the soccer program, which was organized to fill a void for some young people.

The seeds for this program were planted by young people served by New Futures who “expressed an interest in soccer but did not have the means” to participate, said Katie Mason, a youth program coordinator for the agency at Woodbridge in Boulevard Park.

Burien-based New Futures also operates at The Heights at Burien, Windsor Heights in SeaTac, and Arbor Heights in White Center to provide on-site learning programs for low-income children and youth in the Highline School District and their families, directly serving nearly 1,600 people.

Despite their interest in soccer, these students lacked the family time, transportation or financial means to play in an organized program, Mason noted. So the New Future’s youth program coordinators decided they would give the 12-17 year old kids a chance to play soccer by starting their own league.

Still, they couldn’t do it alone, so New Futures turned to the Greater King County Police Athletic League (PAL), a volunteer organization that provides activities for at-risk youth and allow them personal interaction with law enforcement officers.

With a coach from PAL and another who is a parent volunteer, two teams of about 50 Highline youth, both boys and girls, practiced once a week and played once a week at Chelsea Park in Burien and North SeaTac Park.

Their first season, says Mason, has been a “success. I think it’s gone pretty well. There have been a few kinks on our end. We could use more field time and more parents or community volunteers to coach. But the kids really enjoyed themselves.”

Both New Futures and PAL are considering the possibility of winter soccer. And, she adds they would like to use their program “to get these kids started playing, to improve their skills,” and then feed them into other leagues where they can continue playing at a higher level.

PAL hopes to involve these soccer players in the Starfire League’s indoor facility in Tukwila and eventually get a team in La Ligas, a regional Latino soccer league.

For more information, check out New Futures’ website here.