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OLYMPIA, WA — The United Soccer League announced September 29th, 2022 the expansion of the USL W League to Pacific Northwest States to include CFC Atletica of Salem, OR, OVF Alliance of Albany, OR, Lane United FC of Eugene, OR and Olympia’s own Oly Town FC. The news comes just months after the Artesian Women posted the clubs first ever League Title defeating CFC Atletica in the Northwest Premier League Championship.

USL W League

“Expanding into the northwest part of the country was really important for us as a league,” USL VP of Youth and Pre-Professional Properties, Joel Nash, said. “We are so excited to be adding these four wonderful clubs to the W League for the 2023 season. It creates so many opportunities for the talented women already playing soccer out in the western side of the country.”

Oly Town FC was founded in 2014 as a men’s indoor team but has expanded exponentially since the early years adding women’s and men’s outdoor competing in semi-pro leagues and now both programs signing franchises with USL Soccer. The Artesian Men competed in their first USL League Two Season this last summer posting middle of the pack results but also taking the 1st Place Prize in the Washington State Super Cup.

Delaney Smith, Oly Town 2022 NWPL Captain

The Women’s side which is newer since their 2021 formation found early success winning a road NWPL Championship match against CFC Atletica in Salem, OR, tying the match in the 89th minute and winning in a Penalty Shootout. 2022 Oly Town NWPL Captain Delaney Smith thinks the USL Promotion is positive, “entering the W League is huge step for women in Washington. It gives women and college players the opportunity to grow and strive towards the next level of their soccer careers.”

USL soccer is the governing body of professional, path to professional and youth academy soccer in the United States. Oly Town FC will be the first Washington State team to be featured in this USL national soccer market franchise for Women’s Soccer. Teams are primarily comprised of college players and women seeking continuing path to professional opportunities.

“Best thing about playing for Oly Town is the community support” said Kailey Utley, Oly Town indoor single season record holder (25 goals) and Big-12 All American at West Virginia University. “The local community really rallied around the Oly Town teams and as a player you could feel all that love and support for the organization.”

Kailey Utley Scoring in 2021 for Oly Town FC

The move to USL W League will see it’s first kickoff in Spring and Summer of 2023. Those that are interested in working, supporting or becoming a Oly Town Supporter are encouraged to visit http://www.olytownfc.com and follow the club on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for daily updates.

The Artesians are about to embark on their 8th season of Arena Men’s Soccer in just over a month so make sure and get your season tickets and fan gear ready. Tickets are $15 single games, $60 Season Tickets and Free 12 & Under Youth Ticketing thanks to the Oly Soccer Foundation. Proceeds go towards field rentals, coaching and player apparel.

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A resounding 4-0 Oly Town win against Nido Aguilar, Club America of Seattle was the icing on the cake for the Artesians this last Friday at Starfire Stadium in South Seattle.

“We knew what we came here to do and that was bring home some hardware” said Head Men’s Coach Jason Smith. “The men played sharp and there were some fantastic goals. Proud of these guys.”

Scoring started out with a thumper free kick from Saint Martin’s University Graduate Sebastian Navarro in the first 25 minutes to put the Artesians on board. The line would change with a solid corner kick headed goal by Barry Habib in the 43rd minute.

Super Cup Final: Full Oly Town Squad Photo

Goals against Oly would never happen as goalkeeper David Silva and staunch defense captained by Jose Marquez kept Nido at bay.

Oly Town wouldn’t stop though as they added goals in the 52nd minute by Jose Marquez and Jesus Flores in the 67th minute to close the door on Nido.

“Great, just great” said General Manager and Part Owner Matt Herrera. “We applied for this tournament to understand where Oly Town sits in the semi professional level in this state and the outcomes were in line with our move to USL2 this year. Hats off to Coach Jason Smith.”

Oly Town entered the Super Cup having been SemiFinalists in 2021. The men played every single 2022 Super Cup game on the road and were undefeated first beating Washington Athletic Club to make the SemiFinals against Bellevue Athletic FC. The Artesians won 4-1 in the Semis in a late night game in Bellevue to advance to the finals.

USL2 Sebastian Navarro and Jose Marquez. Both scoring in the Super Cup Final.

“Well done boys and congratulations to Oly Town to beat a spirited Nido” said tournament director Timothy Busch following the match.

Head Coach Jason Smith post game announced an MVP “Jose Marquez held down the shutout and also added a goal. He is our man of the match, well done Jose.”

Oly Town winning the Super Cup Tournament adds the second Trophy to their case in 2022. 2022 also marks the first year since the club formed in 2014 to ever win a championship of a competitive series. The first Trophy was won in June of this year when the Oly Town women beat Capital Atletica in Salem, OR in the Northwest Premier League Championship as a #2 seed.

Oly Town Celebrates Super Cup Victory

“The results mark a turn in the club. These Championship Trophies are solely thanks to the players and coaches for winning and making 2022 an unforgettable outdoor year” said Principal Owner and former Goalkeeper Ryan Perkins.

Oly Town now gets ready for fall & winter arena league with Western Indoor Soccer League and Northwest Premier League Indoor Player for both men’s and women’s programs.

To support the Artesians which operates 90% through community donations and sponsorships, visit olytownfc.com and find ways to contribute. You can also sport Oly Town scarves, replica jerseys and fan shirts by buying online. Information on indoor, arena league will be released by October 1st.

The Oly Town Artesians can be followed on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and their YouTube Channel “Oly Town Artesians” for weekly updates.

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The Artesians on Friday wrapped up their inaugural USL League Two season with a road loss in Portland, Oregon 2-0 in the Northwest Division. The season saw a 3-0 win for OVF Alliance over Lane United and an 8-1 Ballard over PDX FC result.

Alec; July 7, 2022 against Ballard
Photo Credit: Cortni Herrera

The wins and losses solidified the final standings with the Artesians still sitting in 4th place, 4 points behind 3rd Place Lane United. USL2 National Playoffs were announced July 18th and #1 Seed Capital FC Atletico and #2 Seeded Ballard FC will be representing the Northwest in the tournament which starts July 22nd at Interbay Stadium in Seattle.

The Artesians finish their USL2 and EPLWA Reserve Team seasons with an undefeated 4-game exhibition match series in 2022 defeating Snohomish 2-0, Wenatchee 6-2, St Martins University 2-0 and the Lacey Lights 2-0. Wenatchee ended up taking 1st Place in the Cascadia Premier League while Lacey took second.

Final 2022 USL2 Northwest Division Standings

“We know we could’ve finished higher, especially with that last minute Lane United draw at home and the goals left on the field in the Ballard tie back in June” General Manager Matt Herrera said. “We competed well in many matches that ended up in 1-goal losses that were close to ties and two ties that we felt were going to be wins. But that’s soccer. Couple different outcomes and we’re sitting closer to 2nd place.”

Isidro; July 7, 2022 against Ballard
Photo Credit: Cortni Herrera

Goal scoring in the first year USL2 Oly Town was led by Gil De La Luz followed by assist leader Jason Fairhurst. The goalkeeping most minutes played was Sawyer Price with over 40 saves. The Artesians saw 22 players from this region touch the field in USL2 play captained by local talent Alec Zimmerman with an end of year change to St Martin’s graduate Jose Marquez.

The Artesians now prepare for the Regions Super Cup which is host to every level of pre-professional and semi professional squads from around Washington State. The Artesians have managed to win every game in their hunt for their first ever Super Cup Trophy. Oly Town plays the winner of the SemiFinal match between the Everett Jets and Nido Aguilar Tuesday July 19th.

Manny; July 7, 2022 against Ballard
Photo Credit: Cortni Herrera

To find out more information on Super Cup follow the Artesians on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter and support Oly Town Soccer by heading to www.olytownfc.com and check out the partner page and storefront! Replica Jerseys, Summer & Winter Scarves and Fan Shirts are available, shipping options too.