After starting in his first-ever MLS match last Saturday, Husky alum Brent Richards was selected to the MLS Team of the Week Honorable Mention list. 

The Washington women's soccer team was previewed by Chris Henderson of All White Kit. The piece features a recap of last year and a breakdown of each position for the upcoming 2012 season. 

Former Husky stars Kate Deines and Veronica Perez recently signed with Stjarnan FC in Iceland. They will play for the 2011 champions in Iceland's top division. 

The Sounders FC U-23 ended its playoff run and season in the PDL semifinals, falling to FC London 3-2. After being up by two goals at halftime, the Sounders couldn't hold on to the lead, as the game-winner by FC London was scored in the 83rd minute.

The goalWA.net 2012 College Previews segment continued with the Washington Husky Men's soccer team. The article features a Q&A session with head coach Jamie Clark on the upcoming class, the 2012 season, and the players they will rely on as leaders. 

USSSA Pride Release:

Former Husky star Veronica Perez was named to the W-League All-League and All-Conference Team. She is one of two Seattle Sounders Women players to be named to both teams, the other being Stephanie Cox. The teams are selected through a vote of team management. 

Former Husky and three-time All-American Ashley Charters was featured on USSSAPride.com. The article talks about Charter's job off the field as a co-CEO of Glitterbandz, a small business that designs and sells sparkly headgear. 

Here are the recent up-to-date stats and game recap of the four former UW softball players currently playing for the USSSA Florida Pride in the NPF league:

Incoming sophomore transfer Darwin Jones was recently named to TopDrawerSoccer.com's Ten Sophomore Men's Players to Watch list. Here is an excerpt of the article on Jones:

Former Husky standout Jamie Finch made his professional debut with the Carolina RailHawks on Saturday evening. The RailHawks, of the North American Soccer League (NASL), defeated last year's NASL champions the Minnesota Stars 1-0. 

The Sounders FC U-23 stormed back with two unanswered goals for a 2-1 win over FC Tucson in the Western Conference Semi-finals on Saturday night in Ventura, California. 

Husky alum and current Sounders Women defender/midfielder Kate Deines posted her third video blog (courtesy of Prost Amerika). 

Four former Huskies, Jenn Salling, Danielle Lawrie, Niki Williams, and Ashley Charters, are currently playing for the Florida USSSA Pride in the National Pro Fastpitch league. Here are how they did in their games last week and up-to-date season stats (courtesy of Jessica Ives at NPF):

News release from USSSAPride.com:

Former Husky All-American goalkeeper Hope Solo spoke with Andrew Romano of The Daily Beast about her past, including losing her dad, getting benched, shoulder surgery, the recent news of "testing positive for a banned substance", and overcoming all those situations. She also talked about how she got started in goal at UW and the upcoming London Olympics.

The Sounders U-23 and Timbers U-23s are off to the Premier Development League (PDL) Western Conference semifinals after their victories this weekend.

The Sounders continued their success after winning the regular season NW Division championship title with a 3-1 victory over the Washington Crossfire in the 1st round of the PDL playoffs.

Husky sophomore transfer Darwin Jones recorded an assist and red-shirt junior Michael Uyehara played the full 90. The Sounders U-23 also added an old Sounder, Nate Jaqua, to their ranks as the entire squad was relied on to send them to the Western Conference Final Four.

The Crossfire ended their 2012 season with the loss. However, several Huskies (Ben Fisk, Andy Thoma, Alex Klein, and Nate Sackeyfio) were a key part of the team's success this year, helping the club bounce back after a seventh-place finish last season and qualify for the playoffs with the 4th seed.

Click here for match stats.

In the second divisional playoff match in Oregon, the Portland Timbers U-23s defeated the defending champions the Kitsap Pumas 2-1 on Sunday evening.

Goalkeeper Spencer Richey turned in a solid performance on what was a busy night for him despite making just one save.

Click here for match stats.

WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFFS

The Western Conference will be hosted by the Southwest Division champion Ventura County Fusion at Ventura College (Calif.), where they will be joined by Southwest Division runner-up FC Tucson and the Northwest Division's Sounders FC U23 and Portland Timbers U-23s.

The Timbers will face the Timbers U-23s on Saturday (7/21) night in the opening semifinal at 5 p.m. PT, while the Sounders U23 will face FC Tucson at 7:30 p.m. PT. The championship game will be played on Sunday (7/22) evening at 5 p.m. PT.

The Conference Champions will meet in the national semifinals on the weekend of July 27-29 at two host locations to be determined. The PDL Championship will be played on Saturday, August 4 at the home of one of the semifinal winners.

Click here to read more about the Conference playoffs.

Former Husky standout Brent Richards made his MLS debut for the Portland Timbers against the LA Galaxy in front of a sold-out home crowd Saturday night. Richards subbed on at the start of the second half and found himself marking Galaxy and U.S. star Landon Donovan on a corner kick almost immediately after he stepped on the pitch. 

Washington junior Allie Beahan scored her first goals for the Sounders Women in a 5-2 win over the LA Strikers on Friday. (Photo: SoundersWomen.com)

The Sounders U-23 and North Sound SeaWolves FC played in their final regular-season league match Wednesday at Franklin Pierce Stadium, with the Sounders winning 5-1 and ending the season with 36 points and first place in the PDL Northwest Division.

US Soccer Newsletter

The Washington Crossfire will host the Timbers U-23s at Redmond High School on Wednesday in their Premier Development League regular-season finale; kickoff is set for 7 p.m. PT. Wednesday's match will determine the two teams' final positioning in the Northwest Division heading into the preseason.

Four former Washington softball players are currently playing in the National Pro Fastpitch league with the USSSA Florida Pride. Here are up-to-date season stats and updates from the past few games they have played in. 

Graduation Strawberries

 

My sister recently graduated from police auxiliary training in Canada after much hard work and determination.  I made these cupcakes for her as she has multiple allergies that significantly limit her ability to enjoy many foods.  Thus, these cupcakes are dairy, egg, and wheat/gluten free.  That may not sound delicious, but they are and actually have the consistency, texture and taste of an authentic cupcake.  And when you throw a bunch of frosting and strawberries on something, it's hard NOT to make it delicious.

Let's face it.  Strawberries are different.  They rebel against all other fruit by carrying their seeds on the outside and are not actually classified as a true berry.  Strawberries are in the rose family and come packed with Vitamin C, fiber, folic acid and potassium.  Like apples, strawberries come in many different varieties, but we have grown accustomed to the typical kind from California that we see in the stores.  Their strawberries are generally bigger and bred to withstand transportation.  Local Washington strawberries are smaller and sweeter, but much more delicate with a shorter shelf life.  Interestingly, eating nitrate rich foods like strawberries before exercise can cause you to burn more calories during your workout.   Strawberries are also reported to prevent muscle fatigue by increasing blood flow to muscles by 7%.  Throw them into your pre-workout smoothie and your body will thank you.

 

 

Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake Cupcakes

Adapted from vancouversun.com

 

Ingredients

·         1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (Or, for gluten-free, 1 ½ cups of the following mixture:  1 cup brown rice flour, 1 cup potato or tapioca starch, 1/2 cup almond meal and 1 tsp xanthan gum)

·         1 cup sugar

·         1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

·         1 tsp baking soda

·         ½ tsp salt

·         1 cup cold coffee, water or coconut milk

·         ½ cup canola oil

·         2 tbsp white or apple cider vinegar

·         2 tsp vanilla extract

Frosting (You may want to substitute Cool Whip or another healthier option)

·         1 cup non-hydrogenated vegetable shortening

·         3 cups powdered sugar

·         1 tsp vanilla extract

·         2-5 tbsp soy, almond or rice milk

Garnish

·         1 ½ cups hulled and sliced fresh strawberries

 

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350F.  Line cupcake pans with cupcake liners (makes 14 cupcakes).  In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together coffee, oil, vinegar, and vanilla. Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture and whisk until just combined. Do not over mix.

Fill the cupcake liners about three-quarters full with batter. Bake for 16 to 18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cupcake comes out clean with a few crumbs clinging to it. Cool the cupcakes completely before frosting.

To make the frosting: Using a handheld or stand mixer, beat the shortening until smooth. With the mixer running on low, add powdered sugar, vanilla, and 1 tablespoon nondairy milk at a time, as needed, until frosting reaches a spreadable consistency. You may not need to use all of the nondairy milk. Beat on high for 2 more minutes until light and fluffy.

Once the cupcakes are completely cooled, slice off the top 1/3 of each cupcake and slather with frosting and sliced strawberries. Place the top of the cupcake back on top and add an additional bit of frosting and sliced strawberries. Dust with powdered sugar.

The Sounders U-23 earned another three points on Sunday in a 1-0 victory against Fraser Valley Mariners FC that saw them win the PDL Northwest Division's regular season Championship.

The Sounders U-23 and Timbers U-23s have both clinched a playoff berth in the Premier Development League's Northwest Division with their wins Friday.

Friday (6/29) games:

Portland Timbers U-23s at Fraser Valley Mariners FC, 2-0

ABBOTSFORD, B.C. - Washington junior goalkeeper Spencer Richey became the first Timbers U-23s goalkeeper to record an offensive point with his assist that set up the second goal in the 2-0 Portland victory against Fraser Valley.

In the final minutes of the contest, a long ball played over the top by Richey set up the insurance goal. Richey recorded his second shutout of the season and was credited with an assist to help lead the Timbers U-23s (8-3-1, 25pts) to their third win in the last four matches.

Washington Crossfire at Kitsap Pumas, 1-2

BREMERTON, WASH. - Washington transfer Nathan Sackeyfio recorded an assist for the Washington Crossfire in a 1-2 loss against current first-place Kitsap Pumas. Kitsap claimed the first ever Ruffneck Cup. Along with Sackeyfio, Huskies Ben Fisk and Andy Thoma played all 90 minutes for Crossfire.

Sounders FC U-23 at North Sound SeaWolves FC, 5-0

EDMONDS, WASH. - The Sounders U-23 defeated the North Sound SeaWolves FC Friday night 5-0 in an impressive performance. Goals by five different Sounders U-23s, paired with solid play at the back, helped earn the victory.

Incoming Husky forward Darwin Jones scored for the Sounders in the 84th minute while junior defender Michael Uyehara helped with the shutout. For the SeaWolves, Quinton Beasley and Abdul Aman played some quality minutes, where Aman had two shots in the game.


Saturday (6/30) games:

Portland Timbers U-23s at Victoria Highlanders FC, 1-1

VICTORIA, B.C. - The Portland Timbers U-23s extended their unbeaten streak to three games after drawing against Victoria Highlanders FC 1-1. Completing a stretch of three road games in eight days with a record of 2-0-1, the team is unbeaten since a 4-3 loss to Seattle on June 22.

North Sound SeaWolves FC at Kitsap Pumas, 1-2

BREMERTON, WASH. - The Kitsap pumas battled from behind to take over first place in the PDL Northwest Division and clinch a playoff spot. After the SeaWolves scored in the fourth minute, Kitsap came back with two goals before half time.


Sunday (7/1) games:

Sounders FC U-23 at Washington Crossfire, 1-0

REDMOND, WASH. - The Sounders U-23 got a late game winner from Aodhan Quinn to take a 1-0 victory over the Washington Crossfire to secure the Sounders a spot in the playoffs.

Darwin Jones took a shot for the Sounders. Ben Fisk, Andy Thoma, and Nathan Sackeyfio played 90 minutes for the Crossfire; Sackeyfio had one shot.


About the PDL Playoffs:

This year, the PDL Northwest will do its own playoff series of 1 v. 4 and 2 v. 3 to see who is sent on to the Conference Finals. The Pumas and Sounders have secured a spot in the playoffs, as they are guaranteed no worse than 4th place in the standings. Crossfire can clinch a spot with one win or one Whitecaps loss (goalwa.com).


Here are the full standings (up until July 1):
Kitsap Pumas, 29pts, 9-3-2
Sounders U-23, 27pts, 8-2-3
Timbers U-23s, 26pts, 8-3-2
Wash. Crossfire, 25pts, 8-5-1
Whitecaps U-23, 18pts, 5-5-3
Highlanders FC, 13pts, 3-6-4
N.S. SeaWolves, 12pts, 4-9-0
F.V. Mariners FC, 1pt, 0-12-1