It’s time to give Lower Soccer Field a real name

Team brings in high volume of fans, time for name to reflect it

Adrianna Keeney | DAILY EVERGREEN FILE

WSU fans overlook the Cougar soccer game against Seattle University on Aug. 17 at the WSU Lower Soccer Field.

RYAN MOSHER, Evergreen reporter

Martin Stadium, Beasley Coliseum, Lower Soccer Field? What happened there, WSU? The No. 21 team in the country deserves a better name for their home field, especially because the team holds a 63 percent winning statistic at home.

The WSU Athletics website states that the Lower Soccer Field has been home to Coug soccer since the program started in 1989. Yet unlike other teams, soccer’s home field’s name does not invoke a donor or past Cougar great.

Beasley Coliseum was not always called such. Upon its inception it was named “Washington State University Performing Arts Coliseum,” but that name only lasted the first eight years before it was renamed to honor Wallis Beasley, a long-time professor.

So why not rename the Lower Soccer Field? It could be named after a corporate sponsor or private donor like many stadiums are. Or better yet, it could be named after someone who made history at WSU.

Here are some Cougar greats who the field could be named after.

I would like to see the Lower Soccer Field renamed to honor Kiersten Dallstream. The WSU graduate was a member of the team from 2006-09. Dallstream is still on many of the school records lists, including fourth all-time in goals with 30, assists with 16, points with 76, fifth in shots with 278 and game-winning goals with seven.

Dallstream turned soccer into a career after graduation and was selected ninth overall in the Women’s Professional Soccer draft by the Los Angeles Sol. After the WPS folded, Dallstream joined Seattle Reign for the inaugural season of the National Women’s Soccer League, where she still plays.

Another Cougar who would be great to honor by renaming the Lower Soccer Field is Kym Lynass, who was a member of the team from 1990-93. She is first all-time in goals with 83, points with 177, game-winning goals with 23 and multiple goal matches with 22.

Or we could always wait a few years and name if after Ella Dederick, because the redshirt senior is already inside a few top-10 records list for wins, winning percentage and shutouts.

I think we should rename the soccer field because the No. 21 team in the country deserves to play somewhere that matches its status.