Cashmere, Stevenson rock on as EPLWA Players of Week

BELLINGHAM, WA— The Evergreen Premier League announces that Nick Cashmere (Offense, Bellingham United) and Dennis Stevenson (Defense, Yakima United) are the first EPLWA Rock’em Socks Players of the Week for the 2016 season. Both will receive a pair of EPLWA Rock’em socks to commemorate their accomplishment.

Nick Cashmere (who wore the Captain’s Armband) scored two goals and added an assist in Bellingham United’s 4-2 home victory over Wenatchee FC on Sunday at Bellingham’s Civic Stadium. Cashmere assisted on the second Hammers goal (scored by Kurtis Pederson) and then scored what would prove to be the winner to make it 3-0 Hammers. Later Cashmere added a second goal for the brace.

Nick Cashmere reacts to scoring his first goal on Sunday in Bellingham. (David Willoughby)

“Nick was very dangerous Sunday as every time he had the ball he was creating opportunities from his movement off the ball,” says BUFC head coach Lance Calloway. “When he received the ball he was in good position to go at and isolate defenders. His hard work off the ball from the weak side allowed him to receive a great ball played in by Uche Ugwoaba to score his first goal. Nick was also setting his teammates up with good opportunities as he drew players to him. Overall great match played by Nick.”

Cashmere continues to shine in Black and White. He won EPLWA weekly honors last July and has two WISL (indoor) weekly awards as well.

David Willoughby caught Cashmere’s great match in this Hammers gallery.

Dennis Stevenson: Team captain, defensive rock for the Hoppers. (Tracie Fowler)

Dennis Stevenson (who also wore the Captain’s Armband) is this week’s Defensive Player of the Week. He’s a familiar presence for Yakima United and Yakima soccer in general. On Sunday he organized a back line that shut out the two-time defending EPLWA Champion Spokane Shadow in what turned into an eventual 0-0 draw.

“He’s our captain and he sets the whole tone for how we play,” says YUFC General Manager Josh Vega. Stevenson paired with longtime teammate Jacob Rhoads in goal to clamp down on the high-scoring Shadow.

“The rest of the team listens to him and he keeps us organized. He’s got a great mind—it’s like having another coach out on the pitch.”

The life of a dedicated elite amateur player can be a busy one. Stevenson showed up mere minutes before the Hoppers took the pitch against the Shadow.

“He’s a battler,” says Vega. “He spent the whole weekend coaching his girls team at the Washington Cup and came home just in time to play, and he was brilliant.”

Tracie Fowler has shot Yakima United matches over their 2+ seasons in the EPLWA.

About the Players of the Week honors

The Evergreen Premier League  will be selecting an offensive and defensive Player of the Week each week during the 2016 season. The Players of the Week will be acknowledged with a pair of custom, unique socks featuring the EPLWA logo. The socks are from Rock’Em Apparel, the Official Provider of the weekly reward. The league worked with Rock’Em Apparel to finalize the look of the socks. The league logo is complemented by a rendering of George Washington in the State seal.

The phrase “Rock ‘Em” represents the willingness to achieve greatness; to go above and beyond limits,” says www.RockEmApparel.com.

Evergreen Premier League players will work to do just that for their clubs this season. The best of the best will have cool custom socks to show off around town for their efforts.