Former Beavers Crowned Champions in Women's Pro Soccer League
July 30, 2012 OTTAWA, Ontario – Former Oregon State women’s soccer players Ashley Seal (2008-11) and Courtney Wetzel (2007-10) celebrated their team’s first ever USL W-League Championship over the weekend as the pair of defenders played a pivotal role in bringing a title to their home fans. Both former Beavers suited up for the Ottawa Fury during the 2012 campaign and starred in the championship match Sunday, versus the Pali Blues at the Algonquin College Soccer Complex in Ottawa. The Blues finished the regular season undefeated and were just about to close out the Fury, but Seal knocked in the tying goal with just minutes remaining to make it 1-1 at the end of regulation. The championship match would have to be decided by penalty kicks and first up for the home standing Fury was Wetzel, who fired a shot past Pali goalie Anna Maria Picarelli. Following her teammate’s successful PK was Seal, who made it back-to-back goals en route to a 4-3 Fury victory after penalty shots. “It means a lot that I was able to play with ‘Wetz’ (Wetzel) and win the whole thing,” Seal said following the match. “I think that this is a good thing for them (current OSU women’s soccer players) to see us play at the next level and know that it is possible.” OSU head coach Linus Rhode coached both players and is proud to see his former student-athletes star on such a big stage. “This shows that our players still want to play the game at a high level,” Rohde explained. “So it is exciting for us and also shows that we are doing the right things here.” Seal and Wetzel were teammates for three seasons (2008-10), under Rhode and both had standout careers while in Corvallis. The W-League is part of the United Soccer League and plays a 14-game season from May until July. Sunday’s championship was Ottawa’s first in four tries during the 13-year history of the league. Championship Game Recap: http://wleague.uslsoccer.com/home/649424.html Support Oregon State University Athletics by making your tax deductible donation to the Beaver Athletic Student Fund. For more information follow this Varsity O Facebook Page for upcoming Alumni events. Follow Oregon State Athletics On YouTube.
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