The University of Puget Sound has a long and proud history of excellence and dominance in soccer, especially its women’s team. The 1980s saw two Loggers — Denise Boyer Merdich ’84 and Lori Bylin Sweeney ’88 — named to the very first U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (USWNT) when it kicked off in 1985. The 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s, under the leadership of Logger Hall of Famer coach Randy Hanson, saw 19 consecutive winning seasons and 15 conference titles (14 of them consecutively). The 2020s have continued that tradition of excellence, with a team now led by head coach Stephanie Cox, a former pro and USWNT player who played in two World Cups and won an Olympic gold medal in 2008.
“A core memory of mine was from the 2011 World Cup,” recalls Cox, who was named one of 20 players on the final ballot for the National Soccer Hall of Fame this fall. “We were playing Brazil in the quarters and one of our players got a red card. So we were playing down a player. But all of us were just cheering and just believing that we could win. And in the 121st minute, Megan Rapinoe sent this huge cross from so far away to the far post over the goalkeeper’s outstretched arm and Abby Wamback headed it in the back post. I’m getting emotional just thinking about it.
“It wasn't the finals, but you walk away with just so much pride at never giving up and always believing and pride in being a part of that team,” she adds. “I think that that's something that I want to pass on to our Loggers. Coming together and achieving something that's greater than just your individual self could accomplish and always believing and having hope and pushing each other to bring out the best in each other, is a worthy goal.”
The Arches team reached out to current and former Logger soccer players, coaches, and alumni to hear their favorite memories of the game and to help fire readers up for FIFA World Cup 2026, coming to Seattle and 15 other host cities across North America this year. Even if you’re not a soccer fan, you can find joy in the game if you immerse yourself in the experience.
As Mendoza-Exstrom explains: “There is nothing more joyful than being together and watching soccer."
Name: Leila Hausia-Haugen ’26
Hometown: Beaverton, Oregon
Logger position: Forward
College soccer stats: (first team all-conference honors in 2024 and 2025; NWC Offensive Player of the Year in 2025; second team NCAA DIII All-Region honors in 2025. In addition, she represented Tonga in the 2025 OFC Nations Cup and in the 2024 Oceania Olympic qualifiers)
Great Logger memories?
One of my most favorite celebrations was when we won in overtime in the first round of the NCAA tournament this year. It was one of the greatest and most fun games I’ve ever played in. There was a rainbow over the field, they played our team song at halftime, and a freshman scored a banger header to win the game. Then we dogpiled on the field just like in the movies, all crying and screaming together.
What’s it like to represent your national team?
It's absolutely incredible and something I always dreamt about doing, but it felt like it would be so impossible for me. I knew I wanted to go to a D3 school because I wanted to focus on academics and have opportunities that were tied to going to a D3 rather than a D2 or D1 school. But I knew that was also limiting my other plans in terms of playing soccer overseas or more advanced options. [But] my grandpa still lives in Tonga, and my mom and I have citizenship, and when I realized that I had this opportunity in front of me, it’s like I still have to pinch myself. Growing up in the U.S. and being separated from my Tongan family and culture has made this really impactful in terms of my identity and my connection with my family and ethnicity. To be able to wear the jersey and be a part of the culture and family there — I have no words for how special it has been for me to do that not just once, but twice.
Do you have a favorite World Cup memory?
I remember watching the 2011 Women’s World Cup on my porch outside with my whole family. I grew up playing soccer, and I remember thinking Megan Rapinoe is so cool, and Abby Wambach is so cool. To be able to play at such a high level as a female soccer player and have this number of people watching and to be a soccer player myself was so empowering. And then in 2023, I got to go watch the Women’s World Cup in New Zealand, which was absolutely incredible. — Leila Hausia-Haugen ’26
Name: Maya Mendoza-Exstrom ’03
Hometown: Normandy Park, Washington
Logger position: Center back and midfielder (All-American in 2002)
How has soccer fit into your life since graduation?
In addition to working for the Sounders and Reign, after graduation I became a USSF B Licensed coach and coached at Puget Sound for 13 years. I was also director of coaching at my childhood club, coached within the ODP, and coach my daughters’ teams.
Great Logger memories?
My freshman year, we finished second in the conference and found out we got in (to the championship tournament) with an at-large bid. I remember my teammates knocking on my basement window in A/L [Anderson-Langdon] and saying, “we made it in!” and we went running across campus and all congregated at one of the seniors’ off-campus houses. That was a Sunday, and we had to play Willamette — who was No. 4 in the country — in a play-in game on Wednesday. Well, we ended up playing four overtimes — a full hour — and it went to a shootout. Randy [Hanson] was like, “Will you shoot fifth?” Normally I shoot third, that was my preferred shot, but I was a freshman, so I said yeah, of course. And that was the kick that won it. And that sort of set off everything for the next couple decades of dominance for women’s soccer at Puget Sound.
Do you have a favorite World Cup memory?
For me, it’s always going to be the women in ’91. Four of the players were from here [Washington state] and my coach had a massive satellite dish in his backyard, and he was able to get the games. I remember watching with my club team and realizing it was just this moment in history.
What are you looking forward to most about this year's World Cup in Seattle?
My dad will be 80 when the World Cup comes. He was part of the reason why the referendum passed for Lumen Field to be built. He was the soccer voice on the original public stadium authority when we didn’t get the World Cup in ’94 because we didn’t have a venue. And he was like “that’s never going to happen again on my watch.” So I’m going to be really happy to have a beer with my dad at a game.
Name: Bridget Stolee McCormick ’05
Hometown: Palo Alto, California
Logger position: Sweeper (inducted into the Logger Hall of Fame in 2021)
How has soccer fit into your life since graduation?
I played in co-ed and women’s soccer adult leagues after college until I had two knee surgeries and retired from playing for 15 years. When my daughters started playing soccer, I started coaching their AYSO (American Youth Soccer Organization) teams and after being back around soccer, I realized how much I missed it and started back playing in a women’s league in my hometown.
Great Logger memories?
I have two. The first is from my very first game. Growing up I had always played striker, but when I got to Puget Sound, Randy put me at center back alongside Maya Mendoza-Exstrom ’03, a senior when I was a freshman. I was terrified to be starting that first game of the season, but Maya told me to just follow her lead. That’s exactly what I did all year. Her direction, support, and leadership shaped the way I played in the back for the rest of my time at Puget Sound. Fast forward to my senior year. We were on the bus heading to the national tournament final in North Carolina when “Footloose” by Kenny Loggins came on over the speakers. First, a few people started tapping their cleats, and then suddenly the whole bus was dancing in the aisles. We were buzzing with both excitement and nerves, but in that silly, connected moment, I realized how much joy and willingness to lean into each other had fueled our success that year.
Do you have a favorite World Cup memory?
I remember watching the United States women play in the 1991 World Cup final. It was so exciting seeing the U.S. win the first time. I remember everyone talking about women's soccer players like they did men's soccer players.
Name: Cortney Kjar Butterfield ’06
Hometown: Riverton, Wyoming
Logger position: Forward (All-American in 2004, 2005; DIII National MVP in 2005; inducted into Logger Hall of Fame in 2018)
How has soccer fit into your life since graduation?
I played on a few teams after I graduated. When I moved home and was in pharmacy school and after, I played on multiple indoor and outdoor soccer teams. I have helped coach the local high school boys soccer team officially for a season and have been a mentor to some local players here. Today, I help coach my young kids’ recreational soccer teams and am often asked to be a motivational speaker for our local high school teams.
Great Logger memory?
One of my favorites was singing “Ain't No Mountain High Enough” in the locker room or bus before each game. I remember every season’s last games and the devastation that came with the loss and also the pride that our team had fought hard to the end and we accomplished a lot. I remember standing on the field before each game listening to the national anthem being played, taking in the last moment of calm before the game and reflecting on the gratitude I had to play the game that I loved.
Do you have a favorite World Cup memory?
My competitive soccer team went to San Francisco to watch the 1999 Women's World Cup. We watched the quarterfinal game, and it was so much fun to be in the atmosphere. It was amazing to watch the players who I had admired for so long. I also remember having a watch party at a teammate’s house and watching the USA women win. The memory of Brandi Chastain ripping her shirt off in pure emotional celebration will be something I never forget.
Name: Laura Grinstead Peterson ’02
Hometown: San Diego, California
Logger position: Right fullback (All-American in 2001; inducted into the Logger Hall of Fame in 2013)
How has soccer fit into your life since graduation?
I took a year or so off after I graduated to finish my internships. When I moved to San Francisco in 2003, I picked it back up and played in the women’s premier league and on a co-ed team. Eventually I felt perpetually sore and under-performing with just once-a-week play and games, plus I had chronic neck issues, so at 30, I was ready for the next chapter. I got pregnant and hung up my cleats.
Great Logger memory?
Going to Hawai`i practically the first week of freshman year after making the team. I packed a big ol’ suitcase of clothes, but the joke was on me. We only played soccer minus going to the beach for a few hours one day! It was a wake-up call! I also remember all the fun van rides with Michelle Moore (one of my best buddies) driving, going to breakfast at Denny’s where we had $5 each (yep, $5) to eat breakfast, and the never-ending van rides to eastern Washington. I also remember taking two weeks off of conditioning the August before my freshman year and then almost dying my first week of tryouts. It didn’t help that we had three-a-days and it was pouring rain. I left 85-degree weather in Wyoming and truly thought I had landed in hell (with wet swampy soccer clothes in a tiny dorm room)!
Do you have a favorite World Cup memory?
The obvious answer for me is when Brandi Chastain scored the winning penalty kick in the 1999 World Cup and ripped her shirt off. I felt like that was the beginning of the awareness of women’s soccer in America.
Name: Randy Hanson
Hometown: Puyallup, Washington
Logger position: Women’s soccer assistant coach (also served as the assistant women’s soccer coach in 2022; as the head women’s soccer coach from 1995 to 2004 and 2006 to 2015; and was inducted into the Logger Hall of Fame in 2016)
Great Logger memory?
Competing in the National Championship Game in 2004 and being able to give back to the Logger community today.
Where will you be watching this year’s cup?
I am on various lottery and waiting lists for tickets and the prices are rising so I may end up watching the games at home. We have a tradition of purchasing a new TV every World Cup at my house, so I always look forward to that. I also love being immersed in the tournament for a month.
What did it feel like to be a part of a national team?
I was fortunate enough to be involved in three U-20 Women’s World Cups in Canada, Papua New Guinea, and France as an assistant and opponent scout, and with the full Women’s National Team as an opponent scout in 2019. There is a feeling you can’t describe when the national anthem plays before the game you are about to play in another country. It is a mix of awe and pride, a feeling that you are part of something bigger than yourself.
Name: Stephanie Lopez Cox
Hometown: Gig Harbor, Washington
Current Logger position: Women’s head soccer coach since 2023 (also a volunteer coach in 2012 and interim head coach in 2022).
Great Logger memory?
My first year as interim head coach, we earned an at-large bid to the [championship] tournament. I remember watching the tournament placements being announced with the rest of the team, as we waited in anticipation to see if we had gotten in. We were the very last pick and announcement, and the players were ecstatic to have gotten a berth to the national tournament and then we were headed off to play in Virginia!
What did it feel like to represent your country on the women’s national team?
I was honored to represent my country in two Women's World Cups in 2007 and 2011, and on the Olympic team that won the gold medal in 2008. There is an incredible amount of pride representing your country and hearing your national anthem play before the game. With lots of years being removed from that platform and stage, I can reflect and realize how truly remarkable that accomplishment was.
