OLYMPIA, WA – As the Artesians prepare for a third USL W League national playoff run we take time to look back at pivotal 2025 moments via a timeline of photos by local photographer Courtney Hickman at C-Sharp Images.
FC Olympia is slated to fly to Sacramento, CA July 3rd to prep for an Independence Day kickoff against Utah United in the West Coast SemiFinal (4PM PST Kick) to start the USL W National Tournament.
Winner Friday clinches the USL W National Quarterfinal which will be played in Stockton, CA Sunday July 6th.
Donations for flights, vans, meals and overall USL women’s franchise needs can be made by visiting our Fundraiser Platform. Please help our grassroots, small market USL Soccer Club today! $10,000 airfare spent already!
timeline below | look back at a fun 2025 season of USL women’s soccer in Olympia, Washington.
Standout USC (Big 10) midfielder Eleanor Morrissey meets local youth player Pearl Brandenburg
January 1, 2025 – FC Olympia Announces New Head Coach | Kellyn Green returns to FC Olympia in a third different capacity, this time as Head Coach. Green played collegiately at SDSU, played for the Sounders Women and Colorado Rush with the likes of Hope Solo, Megan Rapinoe, etc. Green brings experience from being an on-field general and vast USL W experience.
February 8, 2025 — Pro Combine & USL W Trial | Ben Willis was Head Coach in 2024 securing a 9-0-1 record but was offered a pro women’s soccer position at Lexington SC in the Super League. Ben returned to the area with a collegiate head coaching offer and joined back with FC Olympia as a Technical Director. Chris Wells was the USL W head coach in the first year franchise in 2023. Chris Wells was promoted to FC Olympia Sporting Director in 2024 and oversees all USL franchises now as a Board Member in 2025.
April 2025 — Recruiting Boom | With the significant expansion of the USL W League in the Northwest adding (4) teams since FC Olympia’s first year in 2023 the recruiting process has changed much with market saturation. In April 2025 the club announced over 30 NCAA prospects from around the nation that would embark on Olympia, WA and play summer footy in the Pacific Northwest.
May 18, 2025 — USL W Opener | The first match in 2025 saw a home game to visiting Eugene, Oregon’s Lane United. Lane came in having signed multiple DI NCAA athletes and served as the first squad test of the season. Noel Blain (University of Dayton) scores a hat trick and FC Olympia garners a #12 ranking after the first full week of play.
May 30, 2025 — Olympia beats Seattle | What was unknown was how Olympia would match up against the big-city expansion happening in Seattle in the USL W League. FC Olympia would score two goals in 5 minutes against the West Seattle Rhodies and cruise to a win despite the Rhodies hard fought possession battle. Sunny Fontes assists to Chelsea Wagner and Ginny Lacey. Fontes with Team USA soccer experience from youth to U23 play including a National NCAA Cup Title with UCLA.
June 7, 2025 — FC Olympia breaks Attendance Record 500+ | On “Community Night” The Artesians spanked the Tacoma Stars organizations women’s side 6-0. Six different goalscorers found the back of the next including a shutout from the N1 Goalkeepers at FC Olympia. What was new for Oly was the pop-up stadium environment where staff sets up a stadium atmosphere on normally just a practice, turf field at the City of Lacey’s Regional Athletic Complex. The atmosphere is manufactured and the community showed up and showed out!
June 13, 2025 — Lackey Named May USL W League National MVP | One of the highlights of FC Olympia USL Soccer was watching forward phenom Ginny Lackey (a Manchester City youth product). Lackey is playing college ball stateside at James Madison University and came to Olympia, WA to play summer footy before returning to JMU for fall soccer. Lackey had 6 goals alone in May but ended up with 10 for the regular season. Lackey has a wonderful attitude, very funny, sarcastic humor and a joy to be around.
June 18, 2025 — Oly Wins 3-1 in Oregon, Climb to #3 National Ranking | Jada Moorman nets two after a long road trip to Eugene. The team enjoying their first long away game with lots of fun jokes about the teams temporary bus for the season and a visit to the Columbia River enjoying Pacific Northwest coffee on the river front. The team however on the trip would start to experience its first major injuries as players leave the team for their colleges to heal before fall NCAA seasons.
June 27, 2025 – GK Faith Nguyen Stifles Rival Salmon Bay FC Securing NW Title | FC Olympia experienced a couple late season one-goal losses that made for a nerve-wracking season end. A draw or win was needed Friday June 27th so a shutout by Texas Tech keeper Faith Nguyen would successfully place FC Olympia first in the northwest.
The final match featured (9) former FC Olympia players that opted to play for the big-city Sounders & Reign FC backed Salmon Bay (Ballard FC) women’s team. FC Olympia ended the season with a 7-2-1 record and a +26 goal differential to top Salmon Bay and West Seattle to win the Northwest USL W League Title. Postgame celebrations included a community photo, autographs and fun reels.
A Reminder to help our club get the women to California for Nationals!
Thank you for supporting local USL Olympia, Washington soccer!
Donations for flights, vans, meals and overall USL women’s franchise needs can be made by visiting our Fundraiser Platform. Please help our grassroots, small market USL Soccer Club today! $10,000 airfare spent already!
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