5/31/2025

FEDERAL WAY, WASH

Championships do not come often. The dream of a title came three years ago for University Prep, facing The Bush School in the state title game. For University Prep, hopes of a championship were dashed to the tune of a 4-0 defeat in the hands of their inter league rivals. Although the 2022 season ended unfulfilled. The story for the class of 2025 had just begun.

University Prep elevated assistant coach Nate Whitney to the head coaching role in 2023. After two straight seasons at the helm, UP’s seasons ended each time with 1-0 losses to eventual state finalist Overlake. Year three under Whitney with the senior class with wealth of experience seemed as if this was the make or break season for them.

What built University Prep for success was their strong two keeper system of junior August Reed and senior Nicholas Cox-Hulquist. Their backline also saw the steady of Max Cook, deemed by one coach as one of the best defenders in the state.

Playing in the difficult Emerald Sound Conference, it was important for UP to be playing at pace with tough competition to prepare for a postseason run.

Their infancy stages of their season included a 2-2 draw against last year’s semifinalist Vashon Island. The regular season included a scoreless draw against defending state champion Overlake in April. Later that month, University Prep snuck out a victory against league rival Bush. After the game Bush Head Coach Marcelino Dumpit told Coach Whitney, “wouldn’t it be funny if we met again.” A footnote that still had a chapter to be written.

The postseason ensued for University Prep with the Pumas surpassing Cascade Christian and Vashon Island for the number 1 spot in RPI. University Prep booked their spot in state with a postseason over King’s. In the district championship, University Prep at last finished on the winning side of a playoff tilt with Overlake. UP leapfrogged to the number 1 seed in the State tournament coming off the momentum of their District 2 Championship. For the Pumas, the state berth marked their first trip to the tournament since they played for the title back in 2022.

The journey of redemption began in the opening round against Connell. In a tight match UP snuck out a 2-1 win to advance to face Wahluke in the quarterfinals. This time the offense shined scoring half a dozen goals in a 6-1 victory. In the semifinals against King’s Way Christian, senior Roan Leslie’s two goals in five minutes put UP on the verge of completing their redemption story. The team waiting for them…the same team that ended their dreams three years ago.

The Bush School caught fire on their postseason run. As the 15th seed in the State tournament, Bush ousted the 2nd seed Cascade Christian and defeated undefeated Columbia en route to the championship game. For University Prep, this championship game marked one day short of 1100 days since their encounter three years ago. Three seniors remained on the roster of the 2022 runners up. Kaiden Lo-Birdsall, Roan Leslie, and Gavin Davis.

University Prep jumped in front early in the championship with a goal from Max Cook six minutes in. Moments later Jack Hyde gave UP added insurance off a loose ball in the heart of the penalty area in the 19th minute. Bush responded with a goal of their own six minutes later. University Prep led 2-1 heading into the break. In the second half University Prep turned to senior Nicholas Cox-Hulquist. The senior keeper made key save after save in the second half. With Bush awarded a free kick in the closing seconds, University Prep turned to Nicholas Cox-Hulquist to make another save. The keeper punched the Bush chance out of play to secure the state championship for University Prep. The redemption story was complete.

The State Championship was sweet redemption for the three seniors who had fallen short for University Prep against the same Bush School. Few teams realize redemption quite like University Prep. But it took a special group of seniors and one clutch save to turn a dream into a reality.

ESN Interviews University Prep Head Coach Nate Whitney

Nicholas Cox-Hulquist Wins State With Incredible Save

www.elisportsnetwork.com