PORT ANGELES — The Sequim boys soccer players and coaches both said they’ve been working hard this season to improve the team’s set pieces.

On Thursday night, that work paid off.

The Wolves scored two goals on headers off corner kicks, and those two scores held up in a 2-0 win at Wally Sigmar Field over Bremerton as Sequim moved on to a winner-to-state match in the District 3 tournament.

Sequim (8-9-0) will next play Fife (14-3-1) at Harry Lang Stadium in Lakewood at 11 a.m. today, with the Port Angeles-Franklin Pierce game immediately following at the same venue. That is also a winner-to-state game. Those games will be broadcast on the NFHS Network.

Coach Dave Breckenridge said his team kept its composure in the face of Bremerton’s physical style of play. One Bremerton player was given a red card out of the game late in the second half.

“We didn’t play their game, and we kept our composure. We didn’t stoop to their level,” Breckenridge said. He said the team has been working hard in
practice on corner kicks and set pieces.

“We’ve been working on that for weeks,” Breckenridge said.

“We’ve struggled all year with it,” said Nico Musso, who had Sequim’s second goal. “All the work we’ve done finally paid off.”

Bremerton (5-14) was the surprise team of the tournament, making it to the third round despite its poor record by beating Clover Park (10-5-2). The Knights also narrowly lost to a good Franklin Pierce team 2-1 and for the most part gave the Wolves all they could handle despite being shorthanded.

Evan Cisneros had a couple of good chances early against the Knights. He had a shot in the 16th minute that actually got through the Bremerton goalkeeper, but the ball stayed out. In the 21st minute, Cisneros had a high shot that forced the keeper to make a leaping save.

That shot helped create a corner kick, however. Sebastian Buhrer took the corner and Cisneros was rewarded when he headed the cross in for the Wolves’ first goal.

Sequim’s second goal in the 49th minute was nearly identical to the first, just at the other end of the field. Josh Alcaraz took the corner kick and this time Musso headed the ball in to give the Wolves an insurance goal. That score held up for the next 30-plus minutes as Bremerton put some pressure on but never got a shot past Sequim keeper Nolan Valenzuela.

It was the second postseason win for the Wolves, who also beat Steilacoom 2-1 in overtime in the district opener on the same field.

“This feels good,” Musso said. “The last two years, we haven’t even come close to making state. We’ve been building our chemistry and we’re getting there. I think we can get it.”

________

Sports Editor Pierre LaBossiere can be contacted at 360-417-3525 or
sports@peninsuladailynews.com.

Yale Athletics

The eight members of the Yale men’s soccer class of 2025 started their collegiate careers with a bang and reached heights that no prior Bulldog class had seen before.

In October 2021, a young Yale squad earned a 1-1 tie against the No. 3 ranked University of New Hampshire Wildcats, putting the college soccer world on notice. That year, TJ Presthus ’25, a first-year Yale defender, already earned an All-Ivy honorable mention. The following season, Yale once again came to play, securing a 2-1 road victory over No. 10 ranked University of West Virginia.

The next fall, in 2023, the team hit double digit wins and won the first-ever Ivy League Tournament Championship. The Bulldogs then defeated Bryant University in the opening game of their first NCAA Tournament. Presthus was named Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year in 2023, and Chris Edwards ’25 earned All-Ivy status both that year and in 2024.

“These seniors were inspirational both on and off the field,” midfielder Andrew Seidman ’26 said. “On the field, they were a key component for one of the most successful periods in Yale men’s soccer history, and off the field they were role models for all of us to follow.”

After the 2024 campaign, the senior class was honored with multiple awards. Jamie Orson ’25 took home the Jack Marshall Award for the member of the team who demonstrated the qualities of team spirit, loyalty and dedication. Quanah Brayboy ’25 and Edwards won the Walter Leeman Trophy for “sportsmanship and team play.” Presthus was recognized as the team’s most valuable player.

Chris Lawrence | Millsaps College Director of Sports Information
JACKSON, Miss.(NWCC Athletics)– A proven, talented coaching mind and leader on the field in Luke Schwarz has been named the Millsaps College head women’s soccer coach, the Millsaps College Department of Athletics announced on Thursday.

Schwarz takes over the program after leading and assisting at NCAA Division II, Club, high school and middle school levels. He also was a team captain and MVP at a DIII college and played several seasons professionally.

He most recently was the assistant women’s soccer coach at Spring Hill College, a DII program in Mobile, Ala., the previous three seasons.

Schwarz helped SHC earn its first-ever conference tournament appearance during the team’s NCAA era. He helped greatly improve the team (0-17) prior to his arrival and saw the Badgers finish 7-8-3 last season.

He helped recruit and retain several domestic and international student-athletes – many of which earned individual awards and honors.

During this time, Schwarz also helmed the local Union 10 FC as head girl’s soccer coach (2008 and 2013/2014 teams). His U-17 team were State Cup Champions in 2024, while his U-16 squad were State Cup Finalists in 2023.

Schwarz also made two stints in the prep ranks to begin his coaching rise. From 2018 through 2022, he was the assistant varsity soccer coach for both the boy’s and girl’s teams at the Out-of-Door Academy in Sarasota, Fla. There he helped lead the boy’s team to the district finals. Before taking his first assistant coach role at Out-of-Door with the girl’s program, Schwarz was also the head coach of the middle school girl’s soccer team at the academy.

He also assisted the boy’s varsity team at Lakewood Ranch High School from Oct. 2020 to Feb. 2021.

In addition to his coaching experience, Schwarz made several stops as a professional and collegiate soccer player. He played four seasons at the University of Dallas (2014-17) where he was team captain for three years and team MVP for two. He was also named All-SCAC three times and made the All-SCAC Tournament Team twice.

He played one season professionally for Bollstanas SK in Sweden (2016), another for FC Cleburne in Texas (USL2 – 2018) and a third for the Orlando SeaWolves indoor team (MASL – 2019). He made others stops along the way, including from Nov. 2019 through July 2021 with Sarasota Metropolis (USL2 and UPSL). He captained Metropolis to a Division Championship and the UPSL Round of 32 in 2021.

Schwarz earned his Bachelor of Arts in business administration from the University of Dallas in 2018. Additionally, he holds a United States Soccer Federation (USSF) D License.

LUKE SCHWARZ COACHING FILE

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Each academic year, the Benedictine Men’s Soccer program names a recipient of the Dr. Richard Wittmann Award. This year’s recipient is senior Benjamin Houlihan.

The award is named after one of the founding fathers of Benedictine Soccer. Dr. Wittmann. Wittmann served as the first men’s soccer club coach from 1959-1962 before the program became an intercollegiate sport in 1963.

Houlihan, a defender and Mechanical Engineering major, will graduate on Saturday and plans to attend the Seminary after graduation. He has earned this year’s Wittmann Award based on criteria established by the men’s soccer program, encompassing the program’s and Benedictine’s core values.

“Ben has showcased tremendous growth with his time on the Men’s Soccer program,” said head coach John Sosa. “Ben joined as a walk-on player in his junior year after focusing on his academics his first two years at Benedictine. 

Through hard work and perseverance, Ben worked his way up the roster. He managed to become an important defender on the field for the program, starting a total of 14 games. 

“Whenever Ben steps on the field, he gives his utmost best effort and always puts the team first,” Coach Sosa said. “Ben has been a great example for his teammates, showing that hard work, dedication, and a positive attitude can lead to huge growth and results.” 

Houlihan has maintained above a 3.0 GPA while balancing engineering, soccer, a strong faith life, and an active social life on campus. Ben always has a smile on his face and is brings others up with his positivity and humor. Each person on the team will tell you that Ben is a wonderful person to be around and has had a positive impact on everyone he meets. Ben exemplifies what it means to be a Benedictine College Men’s Soccer player.

www.ravenathletics.com | #UnleashGreatness | www.benedictine.edu

Photo courtesy Pittsburgh Riveters SC

USL W-League – Great Forest Division

Riveters (0-0-0) vs. Cleveland Force SC (0-0-0)

Friday, May 16 | 7 p.m. | Highmark Stadium
TV: SportsNet Pittsburgh+  |   Streaming: SportsEngine Play

Pittsburgh Soccer Now Coverage Team:  Rachael Palmer (reporting / social media updates), Ed Thompson (photography)

Match Day Updates

After much hype and a strong marketing blitz rarely ever seen for a pre-professional club across the United States soccer landscape, the Pittsburgh Riveters SC finally get to take the field when they face Cleveland Force on Friday night at Highmark Stadium (7 p.m. kickoff).  Pittsburgh Soccer Now’s Rachael Palmer and Ed Thompson will be there to cover the match and all the festivities surrounding it.  Look for updates and more to come here on this thread.

6:05 p.m. — STARTING LINEUPS

The wait is finally over! It’s GAME DAY!

@ClevForceUSL
7 pm
@HighmarkStadium
@SNPittsburgh +
Broadcast presented by @84LumberNews
Match presented by @CoenMarkets

https://t.co/c0Kjwnm4i1#PITvCLE #RivetersRise pic.twitter.com/uHp1aos94a

— Pittsburgh Riveters SC (@RivetersSC) May 16, 2025

This place is going to be electric! We’re excited by your excitement- THANK YOU!

Standing room is currently available in limited quantities, and check back for any verified resale tickets that may become available.

https://t.co/18ZW6EJzl0
#RivetersRise pic.twitter.com/OSP7Kq1TBT

— Pittsburgh Riveters SC (@RivetersSC) May 15, 2025

Big night on the Mon! Good Luck @RivetersSC !!! pic.twitter.com/TZN32UhXjm

— Kaitlyn Moe Rosensteel Scholarship Foundation (@MoeRosensteel) May 16, 2025

Preview / Getting to know the Riveters SC

Riveters are led by Head Coach Scott Gibson — who’s been part of the Hounds Academy for nearly two decades.

The team will face a 10-game slate in the league’s new Great Forest Division.

For Gibson, one of the toughest tasks will be squad selection. The Riveters have depth at every position, both homegrown and nationally recruited, which will be a benefit over the course of a condensed schedule. But for this one-off opening night, Gibson has only a handful of training sessions from which to glean his ideal starting 11.

Tessa Dellarose, the former U.S. U-20 international and 2024 NCAA champion with North Carolina, is one of the few locks for the 11 and will wear the captain’s armband for the team’s historic debut. As the first player announced for the team last fall, the midfielder will be crucial in a pivot role for the Riveters.

“We want to improve and we want to mesh together each game,” the Tar Heels midfielder said. “Most importantly, inaugural season or not, we want to compete and we want to win.”

Coffield stated that coach Scott Gibson has set a priority for the team to build its chemistry quickly. It’s a tough task, with players encompassing more than 20 different colleges.

“I think we’re looking to make an impact,” Former Mars standout and current Indiana University midfielder Piper Coffield explained.

“It’s our first year and Scott mentioned about us gelling and getting to know each other with a quick turnaround. We started training on Monday and have our first game on Friday, but I’m optimistic about this group. We’re looking to win some games and score some goals. I think it’s going to be an exciting season.”

Scouting Cleveland Force

The Riveters’ first opponent is a somewhat familiar one, as the Force is a longtime opponent of teams from the Riverhounds Academy at the youth level.  

Much like Gibson, the Force are led by a Head Coach who has been an instrumental part of the club’s Youth Programs and Girls ECNL Director, Rob Miller.

Now, each club has a proper women’s First Team, and it makes for a fitting start to begin their history with an installment of the classic Pittsburgh/Cleveland rivalry.

The Force could have an advantage of having a core group of players that have been playing together longer.  Last year, they posted 5W-6L-1D record in W-League’s Central Conference Great Lakes Division.

One player to look out for with Cleveland is McKenzie Muir, who has been a key player at Duquesne the past three seasons.  The rising senior scored eight goals total on the Bluff and was among Cleveland’s leading scorers last season, scoring six goals in 10 matches.

A little bit more history…   

Cleveland Force SC were formed in 2018 after a merger of three of Cleveland’s most prestigious Youth Soccer Clubs: CSA Impact, Cleveland United, and Internationals SC, and the club joined W-League in 2023.    More than a dozen youth and senior national team players, more than 40 professional players, and more than 500 collegiate players have come through the Force organization. 

The “Cleveland Force” name has been associated with both a men’s indoor soccer team and a women’s soccer team. The original Cleveland Force was a men’s team in the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) from 1978-1988. 

Unlike Pittsburgh — Cleveland does have a clear path toward having a women’s professional soccer team, as one of the signature franchise in the Women’s Professional Soccer League (WPSL) as one of the founding markets, according to Spectrum News. 

PSN’s Pittsburgh Riveters SC Coverage

‘It’s incredible:’ Pittsburgh Riveters looking toward home opener, debut

Pulse of Pittsburgh Soccer: Kicking off this week, Riveters announce ground-breaking broadcast deal while Steel City men debut in USL League Two

Pulse of Pittsburgh Soccer: Riveters SC, Steel City FC to compete in USL W-League’s Great Forest Division

Riveters Roster / Coaches

No.   Name               Pos.    Height  Age        Hometown (Previous team)

1    Bailey Herfurth GK 6’0” 21 Northport, N.Y. (West Virginia Univ./Tampa Bay United)

2   Kennedy Neighbors M 5’7” 20 Newburgh, Ind. (Indiana University)

3   Sydney Lindeman D 5’8” 21 Murrysville, Pa. (Towson University)

4   Kelsey Salopek D 5’4” 20 Munhall, Pa. (Kent State University)

5   Kate Friday M 5’7” 19 Fox Chapel, Pa. (Xavier University)

6   Emily Kirkpatrick D 5’5” 22 Pittsburgh, Pa. (Towson University)

7   Sabrina Bryan F 5’3” 26 Cecil, Pa. (Hofstra University)

8   Carolina Lucci F 5’4” 26 Monaca, Pa. (Chowan Univ./Swan City SC)

9    Abi Hugh M 5’4” 22 Huntington, W.Va. (N.C. State University)

10  Carola Fontán M 5’2” 20 Les Franqueses del Vallés, Spain (Univ. of Cumberlands)

11   Lucia Wells F 5’4” 20 Pittsburgh, Pa. (University of Pittsburgh)

12   Bella Vozar D 5’1” 19 Pittsburgh, Pa. (American University)

13   Holly Pascoe F     5’4” 26 Christchurch, New Zealand (Point Park University)

14   Tanum Nelson M 5’8” 20 Duxbury, Vt. (Cornell University)

16   Pauline Nelles GK 5’10” 23 Bonn, Germany (Arizona State University)

17   Gina Proviano M 5’6” 22 Pittsburgh, Pa. (Long Island University)

18   Robin Reilly F 5’6” 18 Latrobe, Pa. (West Virginia University)

20    Annamarie Williams M 5’9” 19 Natrona Heights, Pa. (University of Virginia)

21   Ella Bulava D 19 Latrobe, Pa. (University of Maryland)

22   Piper Coffield D 5’8” 19 Mars, Pa. (Indiana University)

23   Gill Stewardson D 5’6” 21 Campbell River, B.C. (Point Park Univ./Harbourside FC)

24   Chloe Kuminkoski D 5’11” 23 Pittsburgh, Pa. (Loyola University, Md.)

25   Ashlyn Basinger  F 5’3” 20 Waynesburg, Pa. (University of Cincinnati)

26   Aris Lamanna GK 5’11” 19 Murrysville, Pa. (Coastal Carolina University)

28    Reagan Casper D 5’5” 20 N. Huntingdon, Pa. (Univ. of Maryland-Baltimore Co.)

29    Jayden Sharpless M 5’7” 21 Pittsburgh, Pa. (Duquesne University)

31    Ava Boyd F 5’7” 19 Pittsburgh, Pa. (University of Pittsburgh)

32  Aleena Ulke D 5’4” 21 Pittsburgh, Pa. (Syracuse University)

33   Lilly Bane F 5’9” 18 Canonsburg, Pa. (Canon-McMillan HS)

34 Tessa Dellarose M 5’5” 21 Grindstone, Pa. (University of North Carolina)

35  Olivia Damico M 5’4” 23 Victor, N.Y. (Penn State University)

37 Ishpreen Marwah F 19 Tampa, Fla. (University of Southern Mississippi)

38 Mackenzie Dupre M 5’8” 21 Upper St. Clair, Pa. (Syracuse University)

39 Sydney Ritter F 5’7” 20 Berlin, N.J. (West Virginia University)

43 Minah Syam M 5’3” 19 Pittsburgh, Pa. (Bowling Green University)