Q&A: Mariah Lee signs Pro Soccer Contract in Australia

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA — Pacific Northwest soccer player Mariah Lee who graced the USL W League pitch in Olympia, WA with Oly Town FC in 2023 has signed with professional Australian club Adelaide United for the upcoming 2023-24 Liberty A-League season. The news comes after a successful year for the decorated forward in the USL W as Oly Town won the Northwest Division title with an undefeated regular season record and #1 seed into the USL national playoff.

USL W League Oly Town FC (Mariah Lee, Bottom Row, Far Right)

Mariah Lee scored 7 goals and tallied 4 assists in her single USL W League season with Oly Town and captained the squad in every match she played in.

Q&A with Mariah Lee

Mariah Lee chatted with Oly Town to discuss her pro signing and journey from kid in the PNW to pro soccer player in Australia in 2023.

Mariah Lee (Photo: Adelaide United)

Q – How did the opportunity come about to sign a pro contract with Adelaide United?

Well, my friend who also signed with Adelaide, Jenna (Holtz), it’s funny because when Chris asked me to play for Oly Town I told him to reach out to Jenna as well — she’s from Tacoma and we played together at WPFC. Anyway, she was in contact with AUFC and they said they were looking for a forward, so she told me to send my profile. That was coming off of my season with Oly Town so I had a lot of fresh highlights which added to my catalogue, so it was pretty much a done deal after that. 

Q – What are you most looking forward to playing in Australia?

Right now is a really exciting time for women’s football in Australia coming off of the World Cup. Clubs have recorded historic attendance and investment and membership numbers for their women’s side, including United, so I’m just super excited to be playing and engaging with fans in a country with so much momentum surrounding the women’s game.   

Adelaide United (Lee on left, Holtz on right)

Q – Sounds like your friend Jenna will be with you, what is your history playing together and knowing each other?

My friend Jenna and I played together at WPFC and then against each other in college. I was at Stanford and she was at Santa Clara so we’d play them multiple times a year. It’s actually funny because my junior year I red-shirt because I had an injury and she scored the game-winner against us in the NCAA Sweet 16 knocking us out. But I’m really looking forward to playing with her because we had a lot of goal/assist combinations together growing up.  

Q – Is your family going to be able to make some games in Australia?

Yeah, my mom is already looking at flights. They’re all trying to make it out for a game or two!

Mariah Lee at Oly Town FC (C-Sharp Images)

Q – What was your experience like playing in the USL W League in 2023?

The USL W was great because I hadn’t played in an actual game since the previous October (I had only been in training games with OL Reign), so it was nice to get back playing, get back into stride of scoring goals. I think a big part of United’s willingness to sign me so quickly was that I was coming off a big season with Oly Town, so there was no question of “Does she still got it?” 

Q – Would you recommend others play in the USL W League and Oly Town?

Definitely! There are so many positives that come of it. On-field, obviously, playing, staying fit, staying sharp. For me, my family and friends could come see me play. They hadn’t seen me live in a long time because I’d been overseas. Then off the field, the friendships, the memories, the traveling. Just connecting with girls from different parts of the country, it’s really special. 

Q – What are some memorable moments of playing in Olympia and Oly Town in the USL W?

I don’t know if I have just one. But the hat-trick I scored in my Oly Town debut (4-0 win in Eugene, OR) and my birthday goal in front of my family and friends probably take the cake. 

Photo Gallery: Mariah Lee Hat Trick against Lane United in Eugene, OR

Q – How can Oly Town and your PNW fans watch your games in Australia?

All of our games are streamed on Youtube through KEEPUP football, so you all can tune in and watch. The times might be a little crazy but they’ll be there starting with our season-opener next week. 

Mariah Lee was a 2023 all conference pick for the USL W League as well as a USL W all-national team selection.

DIVISIONAL MVP’S – 2023 USL W LEAGUE

TEAM OF THE YEAR – USL W LEAGUE 2023

Helpful links to follow Mariah Lee’s Soccer Journey:

Adelaide United Website click here

Mariah Lee Instagram click here

USL W League click here

Oly Town returns to the USL W League in 2024 as reigning champs of the Northwest. To learn more about Oly Town visit olytownfc.com.

Email playnow@olytownfc.com for information on recruitment and the 2024 season.

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Artesians Welcome Familiar Faces to Front Office

Olympia WA – The Oly Town Football Club announced Saturday September 30, 2023 the addition of four new members to the management staff for Arena and USL soccer franchises.

The announcement comes 4 weeks before the Artesians are set to kickoff arena soccer with the men traveling to the Tacoma Stars on October 28th in WISL (Western Indoor Soccer League) play.

Eden Comstock | Social Media Manager

“Eden comes to the crew with a ton of local soccer experience including the clubs first ever cup win” said Principal Owner Ryan Perkins. “Eden has run social media platforms for collegiate athletic departments and we’re excited to see her take on our path to pro soccer social programming.”

Manny Nicasio | Youth Club Coordinator

Nicasio is one of the player highlights of the club having been a member since 2019 and being a USL League Two Team MVP in 2022 for Oly Town. Manny was a camp counselor for Oly Town in 2022 and returns to help coordinate youth clinics and leagues to provide high level playing exposure to local youth.

“Learning from a player that has played collegiately, won pro-am tournaments and played two years of USL is an incredible opportunity for kids in our communities” said Perkins.

Click here for camps!

Jesse Garramone | Fan & Player Experience Manager

“It is important for the club to not only serve the soccer community but also the players and it’s faithful supporters” said part owner Jason Smith. “Jesse is 100% invested in the clubs future and is always thinking of ways to enhance the experience for both fans and players.”

Kyle Wiese | Business Development

“Oly Town only survives through unique ways to progress its offering which includes facilities, marketing sponsorships and local municipal partners” said Perkins. “Kyle Wiese has not only served local economic organizations but also actively works for opportunity investments and returns to the club with a plethora of experience to help Oly Town financially advance into its 10th year.”

Catch these amazing individuals this year at the Evergreen State College Pavilion as arena kicks off in November for both the men and the women of arena soccer.

Arena Tryouts have been scheduled and fees and player interest forms are online at olytownfc.com

Season Tickets are on-sale at the olytownfc.com shop page and there is a Well 80 Brewhouse promotional event October 25, 2023 at 630PM with player autographs for kids, season ticket swag bag, Bingo, dinner specials and more!

CLICK FOR INFO

Follow Oly Town on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter to be up to date on all the happenings.

Oly Town Announces New Arena Coaching Staff

OLYMPIA, WA – The OIy Town Artesians Thursday announced a new 2023-24 Arena Soccer staff. The Artesians men’s program had a record setting season in 2022-23 that included an undefeated homestand with multiple individual club records achieved as well as 107 team goals scored (record).

The women’s arena side returns this winter after a year long hiatus and a 3rd place finish in 2022. In 2023 Kailey Utley was inducted into the Oly Hall of Legends having scored 25 goals in a single season for the Oly Town Women’s Arena program.

“Really excited about this years indoor staff” said Soccer Director and Part Owner Jason Smith. “We were able to bring back Nick Boatright after a very successful first season at the helm. Then on the women’s side we brought in two experienced coaches with many ties to the club.

“Brad Hanson will be a great addition as goalkeeper coach with years of coaching under his belt and having played several seasons with Oly Town.”

Nick Boatright returns to the fold as a second year head coach for the Artesians. Boatright is in his 4th year coaching inside the club having assisted Jason Gjertsen in EPLWA in 2021 and assisting the Arena team in 2021-22. Nick has been busy taking on larger roles within Black Hills Football Club, The Evergreen State College Soccer Program and continues his Varsity Head Coaching position at Timberline High School. Nick also had a successful year placing first in Cascadia divisional play with the Lights before a close finals loss ended their postseason.

Matt Herrera who was inducted into the Oly Hall of Legends in 2021 comes with a plethora of arena experience. Herrera not only played 5 years of arena soccer in the PASL and WISL but also was skipper of the men’s arena team for 2 years. Matt helped launch the EPLWA outdoor program for the Artesians in 2017 and also spearheaded the Austin Kelley Classic each year. Most notably Matt Herrera was the first coach in club history to bring a league title to Oly Town with an NWPL Championship win in 2022.

Vanessa Crisp is an arena goalkeeping alum and current USL W League GM joining Matt Herrera in the women’s arena coaching staff. Crisp has years of playing experience and has also coached local soccer. Vanessa helped manage the 2023 USL W Leagues undefeated season and #1 seed launch into the USL National Playoffs.

Brad Hanson joins the coaching staff for the first time as the keeper coach for both the NWPL and WISL sides of the club. Brad played multiple Arena Seasons in the WISL and also competed in EPLWA. Hanson wrapped up his playing career with the Lights in the Cascadia League. Brad has roots in youth soccer out of Mason County and frequents West Coast Goalkeeping clinics and competitions.

Schedules are set for a September release. Make sure and follow Oly Town on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for live updates. There are some select season tickets available by visiting www.olytownfc.com.

Catch some Oly Town Artesians this weekend as the WISL All-Stars take on the MASL Tacoma Stars at the Tacoma Soccer Center, 4PM, Saturday August 19. Alex Vogt, Kasey Sidor and Matt Stalnik were nominated to roster in the match. For tickets click here.

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