Home grown Pilot in bloom

Blooming as a soccer player in Washougal, Ellie Boon will be honored during Home Grown Player Day when the University of Portland women’s soccer team hosts the University of Washington Sunday, Sept. 28, at 1 p.m.

“For more than two decades, the development of our local players through our Portland area youth clubs has been invaluable to our success,” University of Portland associate director and head women’s soccer coach Garrett Smith stated in a press release. “This local reach has proven to be the basis for our success with two National Championships, eight NCAA Final Four appearances and numerous appearances in the playoffs during the last 20-plus years.”

As part of this home grown celebration, the Pilots are offering limited discounted tickets and special seating arrangements to the event by calling Jon Brooks, manager of marketing and promotions, at (503) 943-7431.

Boon just started her sophomore soccer season at UP. She appeared in 19 games as a freshman.

“I’d like to invite my friends and soccer fans in the Washougal community to come out to UP for this and other games,” Boon said. “I would be honored to have my hometown come out and watch me play.”

To commemorate Boon’s achievements, Washougal Mayor Sean Guard declared Sunday, Sept. 28, as “Ellie Boon Home Grown Player Day,” in Washougal.

“Ellie loves this community and is so proud to say she is from Washougal,” said Nancy Boon, Ellie’s mother. “We are blessed to have the University of Portland so close that she can still feel connected to her hometown and have such great support as she plays for the Pilots.”

According to Washington Timbers Football Club Director of Coaching Sunny Dulai, Boon started playing advanced level competition at the age of 10 and has continued to show improvements in her game every year since.

“Ellie trained very hard, often doing extra training with other teams as well as individual training, never tiring of working on her game,” Dulai said. “Her dedication for improvement, mixed with joy to play and work hard made her a true leader with her teams.”