One of the aspects, however, that will likely forever remain in the WPSL Northwest is the role youth players have. A number of teenage players had an impact this season and showed promise for the future.
To that end, INWsoccernews has put together a list of not only the WPSL Northwest's top players for the 2013 regular season, but also a list of the some of the younger prospects for the future.
Not surprisingly, the regular season champion Tualatin Hills United SC Diamonds and the three greater-Seattle clubs dominated the Best XI for the season as they finished as the top four teams in the Northwest, suffering only six combined losses between them. A reserve group of players rounds out the Best XI, recognizing some of the other top players, including at least one from each club.
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| Jen Stoltenberg |
Jen Stoltenberg - THUSC Diamonds
The California native has made a name for herself in Oregon, a difficult task given the history of women's soccer in the greater Portland area. She finished the season well ahead of the rest of the division in points, proving to be a double threat with a Northwest-leading 11 goals and nine assists. She finished the year with six multi-goal games in the team's nine matches. She was an INWsoccernews Three Stars selection three times in six weeks.
She finished her career at the University of Oregon in 2010 as the program's all-time leading scorer and went on to be drafted by the Philadelphia Independence of Women's Professional Soccer before ultimately signing with and playing for the USL W-League Vancouver Whitecaps, where she tallied a goal and assist in 14 appearances.
INWsoccernews BEST XI
Forward - Marina Galaz - Emerald City
The striker from Madrid proved to be an excellent addition from little-known Iowa Western, tallying six goals and two assists this season to finish fifth in points and third in goals in the Northwest.
Forward - Romina Pinna - AC Seattle
The 20-year-old striker made a late push to finish atop the goals table with six goals in the final five games, finishing with nine on the year. She was the only player other than Stoltenberg to be selected as an INWsoccernews Three Star multiple times, earning the honor twice.
Forward - Jen Stoltenberg - THUSC Diamonds
See above
Midfielder - Brandi Dawson - THUSC Diamonds
The 2012-13 Oregon State junior tied for third in the Northwest in points after providing four goals and seven assists (second in Northwest) for the regular season champions.
Midfielder - Hannah Kimsey - THUSC Diamonds
The 2012-13 Concordia sophomore tied for third in the Northwest in points after providing four goals and seven assists (second in Northwest) for the regular season champions.
Midfielder - Arica Slawson - AC Seattle
The veteran American player, who previously played for Issaquah last season and the W-League Sounders Women before that, helped guide the predominantly-Italian squad through their first season, finishing the campaign with four goals and an assist.
Midfielder - Erin Vaughan - SRR Issaquah
The Welsh international brought in from Aston Villa was the club's leading offensive contributor with four goals and three assists this season as they finished second in the Northwest at 7-1-2.
Defender - Molly Boyd - SRR Issaquah
The 2012-13 Washington junior helped lead the club to the Northwest's best defensive performance, allowing just eight goals in nine games played while also personally contributing two goals at the other end.
Defender - Cricket Harber - Emerald City
The 2012-13 Gonzaga sophomore helped lead the club to the second-best defensive performance of the year, allowing just nine goals in 10 games as the club tied for the most shutouts in the Northwest with four.
Defender - Viviana Schiavi - AC Seattle
An Italian international since 2001, the Italian centerback helped guide the team to the Evergreen Cup derby title as the best side in Washington. She also contributed a goal and assist at the close of the season as they finished 7-2-1.
Goalkeeper - Liz Ruiz - Emerald City
The 2011-12 graduate of Boise State led the Northwest with the lowest goals-against average at 0.96, playing for all but 54 minutes. Currently an assistant coach at Hastings while she pursues a masters degree, Ruiz posted two shutouts as the team went 6-2-2.
BEST XI in reserve…
Forward - Kennya Cordner - SRR Issaquah
The T&T international was a key contributor for the team with three goals before signing midseason with the professional NWSL Seattle Reign.
Forward - Gaia Mastrovincenzo - Eugene Metro Azul
The Italian import was the team's most potent offensive contributor, tallying four goals and one assist while leading the team to the postseason.
Forward - Madison Misi - Westside Timbers
Arguably the team's overall standout, the 17-year-old from Southridge HS tallied three goals for the club. She was the youngest player (by two years) with three or more goals in the Northwest.
Midfielder - Caroline Brawner - Emerald City
The 2012 Colgate sophomore helped lead the team to a 6-2-2 record on the year, contributing a goal and assist.
Midfielder - Macy Jo Harrison - SRR Issaquah
The 2012-13 UNLV graduate was a consistent contributor in the club's potent attack, providing four assists in addition to a pair of goals as they went 7-1-2 for the campaign.
Midfielder/Defender - Jami Hegg - Spokane Shine
The recent Whitworth graduate was one of the core veteran contributors for the young squad, being called upon to play numerous positions throughout the season.
Defender - Jen Tuttle - THUSC Diamonds
The veteran defender, a 2006-07 University of Portland graduate, helped lead the club to the regular season title as they allowed just 11 goals in nine games for a 7-1-1 record.
Goalkeeper - Rachel Estopare - Bend Timbers
The 2012 Summit High School junior showed plenty of courage despite her age, finishing with the sixth-best goals-against average in the Northwest at 2.29 (315 minutes) despite the club allowing 25 goals in eight games played and picking up their only win via a forfeit.
Goalkeeper - Alexis Thode - SRR Issaquah
The 2012-13 redshirt freshman from Washington State showed no rust from not playing as she finished a close second in goals-against average in the Northwest at 1.00 over the course of 630 minutes, playing in all but two matches. She did, however lead the Northwest in shutouts with three.
INWsoccernews PROSPECTS BEST XI (U19 / 2012 college freshman)
This list, intended to provide a glimpse at some of the top up-and-coming players in the Northwest, has quite a range of players. AC Seattle's star striker Romina Pinna narrowly missed the cut at 20, but the team still had a young imports that contributed while several other teams had squads featuring elite high school talent on the verge of beginning their collegiate careers.
Young goalkeepers seemed to be the theme of the year around the Northwest. Only three post-collegiate-aged players were among the group of nine players to play at least three games this season with the rest being no older than a 2012 college sophomore.
Forward - Valentina Giacinti - AC Seattle
The 19-year-old finished the season with four goals for the Italian side.
Forward - ShayLee Miner - Eugene Metro Azul
The Junction City High School graduate headed to Oregon this fall finished the season with two goals and one assist for the playoff club.
Forward - Madison Misi - Westside Timbers
Arguably the team's overall standout, the 17-year-old from Southridge HS tallied three goals for the club. She was the youngest player (by two years) with three or more goals in the Northwest.
Midfielder - Giulia Ambrosetti - AC Seattle
The 19-year-old Italian helped lead the club to the Evergreen Cup derby title in Washington, scoring one goal for the team this season.
Midfielder - Cori Bianchini - Westside Timbers
The 19-year-old at Portland State scored twice this season for the Timbers.
Midfielder - Nikia Evans - THUSC Diamonds
The South Salem High School graduate headed to Portland State this fall helped lead the club to the regular season title chipping in with one goal.
Midfielder - Shanna Lechelt - THUSC Diamonds
The Jesuit High School graduate headed to Northern Arizona this fall helped lead the club to the regular season title, scoring twice during the campaign.
Defender - Kerri Cook - THUSC Diamonds
The 2013-14 Barlow High School senior helped lead the club to the regular season title, and even contributed with a goal from the penalty spot.
Defender - Taylor Coon - THUSC Diamonds
The 2013-14 Sunset High School senior who intends to attend Arizona State helped lead the club to the regular season title.
Defender - Laci Rennaker - Spokane Shine
The Central Valley High School graduate headed to Eastern Washington this fall was among the standout youth players on a young Shine squad.
Goalkeeper - Alexis Thode - SRR Issaquah
The 2012-13 redshirt freshman from Washington State showed no rust from not playing as she finished a close second in goals-against average in the Northwest at 1.00 over the course of 630 minutes, playing in all but two matches. She did, however lead the Northwest in shutouts with three.
Reserve Goalkeeper - Rachel Estopare - Bend Timbers
The 2012 Summit High School junior showed plenty of courage despite her age, finishing with the sixth-best goals-against average in the Northwest at 2.29 (315 minutes) despite the club allowing 25 goals in eight games played and picking up their only win via a forfeit.
*** NOTE: All players are listed alphabetically within their position
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