Puyallup’s Zack Robertson is TNT’s 2025 All-Area soccer player of the year

Zack Robertson of Puyallup pounded nets for 30 goals this spring, breaking the old school record of 28 set 15 boys soccer seasons ago.

When he wasn’t scoring prolifically, he was passing the ball off to others for 22 more Viking goals to snap another 15 year old school record set by a different player.

The combined efforts netted the senior forward The News Tribune’s all-area boys soccer Player of the Year honors as well as another big distinction as a member of longtime Puyallup head coach Matt White’s all-time starting 11 of all players he has coached anywhere.

That goes all the way back to 2001 for White’s tenure at Puyallup and beyond, to his 1988 coaching start at Kentwood.

“He would make my personal starting team of every kid I’ve ever coached,” said White in an interview Thursday afternoon at sun-drenched Carl Sparks Stadium. “A starter on my top 11, that’s a hard list to make after all this time coaching.”

Robertson’s performances in his four seasons as a Viking also landed him a scholarship to play for the Western Washington University men’s soccer team in Bellingham.

“I think that there will be a lot of competition there,” Robertson said. “We’ll have to work for a spot there. I’ll just have to turn it on to a new gear and work harder.”

Robertson is no stranger to hard work, according to White.

“He does work hard and he’s grown every year,” he said. “He started as a freshman. He has all of the skill sets. He’s strong, tall and fast and he wants to lead. He makes mistakes and he owns up to them. How often do you get that from a high school student?”

Robertson follows his mother Nathalie in his choice to attend Western Washington.

“My mom went there and told me I would enjoy it,” Robertson said. “The recruitment process is stressful, but when I made a visit to Western I practiced with the team. When I saw it I knew I wanted to go there. Bellingham is a nice place. There’s definitely some cool things to do there.”

Robertson’s road to Bellingham started early.

“My parents taught me everything,” said Robertson, whose father’s name is Brett. “I started young. I had good coaches all the way through, and when I got to high school the coaches helped me and transformed me into the striker that I am.”

Robertson previously played youth soccer for Washington Premier and for the Seattle Sounders program before they started their academy.

“I learned to play at a high level for the club I was at,” he said. “This summer I’ll play for the Tacoma Stars second team and do private training on my own. I’ll set my own pace for getting in shape.”

Robertson reports to Western on August 14 and plays his first college match one week later.

He is recovering from a calf injury that limited his playing time greatly in the Vikings’ state Class 4A quarterfinal loss to Hazen.

“The game before someone kicked me in my calf and it was hard to play through,” said Robertson, who still scored one goal against Hazen. “I’ve had time off to heal it and it’s gotten better.”

Once at Western, Robertson plans on majoring in kinesiology.

“Did I mention that I like him,” asked White. “I’ve had some really good players. He’s a good player and I like him.”

The feeling is mutual.

“White helped out a lot,” Robertson said. “And my club coaches and my family. Everyone was supportive and it really helped.”