Seattle Wins WPSL Title Over Pensacola

Two second-half goals propelled the Seattle Sounders Women to a 3-1 win over Pensacola FC in the Women’s Premier Soccer League‘s title match on Sunday. The national championship is the first for Seattle, and the win makes them the 16th different club to win the WPSL title since the league was founded in 1998.

Seattle finished the season unbeaten (10-0-1) en route to the title. Kirsten Pavlisko, Celia Jimenez Delgato, and Pascale Dumesnil scored for the Sounders, which had beaten reigning national champions Fire & Ice SC on Saturday to advance to the final.

“It’s an incredible feeling, a long journey but a journey I don’t want to end.” Sounders coach Scott Ford said on the WPSL’s official website. “It’s a special feeling.”

Pensacola – which has made at least the national semifinal in four of the past six seasons – beat the Chicago Red Stars Reserves 5-1 on Friday night to reach the final. Anele Komani scored for Pensacola in the 11th minute to equalize after Pavlisko’s ninth-minute opener for Seattle. Pensacola finishes the 2018 WPSL season with a record of 10-1-1. 

The national semifinals were set after each of the four regional tournaments came to an end July 15. Eagles’ division foes Cleveland Ambassadors won the East regional, but pulled out of the national semifinals due to internal reasons. The Eagles were the only team to take points from Cleveland in 2018, after a wild 3-3 draw in May. 

The Eagles have improved in the WPSL’s division standings each season, and the club is optimistic about earning its first-ever playoff appearance in 2019 when the WPSL season kicks off again. Stay tuned to the club’s website and social media platforms for information about how you can support central Ohio’s women’s soccer club!