Annual college scholarships were recently awarded by the Northshore Youth Soccer Association (NYSA) to four local students. Class of 2016 graduates, Kristan Lund and Bryan (BJ) O’Donnell received $1,000 awards and Joshua Hoogerwerf and Mollie Lie each received $500.
Applications were accepted from graduating high school seniors who planned to enter an accredited institution of higher learning during the 2016/17 academic year. The winners were selected based on their positive involvement and commitment to the NYSA program and the community, as well as their participation in the NYSA coaching, referee and other programs.
Lund, a Woodinville High School (WHS) senior, played ten years with her NYSA recreational league team and is currently assistant coach for a younger girls teams. She’s played year-round indoor soccer for years and is the Committee Chairperson for Soccer for Everyone, an organization that collects gently used soccer equipment for players in need. Lund will be attending the University of Washington pursuing a major in mathematics.
O’Donnell, a Bothell High School (BHS) senior, has played soccer with NYSA since he was six years old. He’s a member of the BHS soccer team and has acted as a coach for younger teams. Since 2011 he has refereed over 300 games, including championship games, and has been nominated for the Washington State Young Referee of the Year Award for several years. O’Donnell will be attending Arizona State University this fall.
Hoogerwerf, a Woodinville High School (WHS) senior, has been involved with NYSA for fourteen years playing club, select and premier soccer. He’s been an assistant coach, played on school teams, and has volunteered with the younger kids, following in his dad’s footsteps. After experiencing the loss of his coach, Gio Barone, Hoogerwerf learned that he wasn’t just playing for himself, but for the passion of the team and the sport. This fall Hoogerwerf will be attending California Polytechnic University’s College of Engineering for Aerospace Engineering.
Lie, an Inglemoor High School (IHS) senior, has played recreational soccer with NYSA for twelve years. She’s served as team captain, played indoor soccer, mentored younger players and has volunteered at many of the organization’s events. Lie hopes to continue playing soccer on the club level as a student at Tufts University, where she will be studying aeronautic engineering.
The Northshore Youth Soccer Association awards scholarships annually and supports teams in Bothell, Woodinville and Kenmore. Since it’s founding, the NYSA has grown to include several programs at different skill levels, representing thousands of athletes ages six to nineteen. Visit northshoresoccer.org for more information.
