OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Oly Town Artesians host a huge Leap Day night of indoor soccer on Saturday night when they play the annual Austin Kelley Tribute Game at 4:30 and then host the very first women’s game in Western Indoor Soccer League history when the Oly-Pen Force come to town at 6:35. Tickets are just $8 for adults, $5 for kids 5-12, seniors, military and first responders and gets you into both games at The Pavilion at The Evergreen State College. The Well 80 Beer Garden will be open for fans 21 and up and Delmonico’s Heritage Butcher will be on site with a wood-fired BBQ providing delicious concessions.
The Artesians will play the first women’s game in club and WISL history beginning at 6:35. The inaugural WISL season consists of six regular season games featuring four teams – the Artesians, Oly-Pen Force, Snohomish Skyhawks, and Tacoma Narrows. The Artesians are coached by Kate Green, a native of Kent that played collegiately at Seattle U and Evergreen State and is a highly experienced coach with Washington Premier FC and Pacific Lutheran.
Green’s squad will feature many local players including Timberline alum Leah Magee – a first team all-conference performer last season at Pacific Lutheran, veteran of the area soccer community Niki Covert, North Thurston and Evergreen alum Emily Sorenson, and current Geoduck Sunny Bieber. Forward Angela Celedon led Washington Premier of the outdoor Northwest Premier League with seven goals last season and she is expected to team with Tacoma’s Aubrey Smith up front.
“Our team talks a lot about how grateful we are for this opportunity,” said Green. “We are putting a lot of pride in the legacy we leave. We want people to see that we are hard-working, humble, good players and most importantly people. We want the next generation to be looking forward to their chance to be a lady Artesian.”
Before the women kick off their first ever game, the Artesians men will play their last indoor game of the season with their annual friendly against the Oly Legends all-star team in tribute to Austin Kelley. Austin Kelley, a star player for Olympia High School and Saint Martin’s and an Artesian during the 2015-2016 season, passed away in a tragic accident in 2016 that shocked the entire Olympia area soccer community. Since then, the Artesians have played a game in his honor every year and have made a donation to his family in his memory. This season’s game will kick off at 4:30 before the women’s game.