Soccer Player of the Year: Josh Bartley

Josh Bartley enjoyed a magical senior season as a member of the Archbishop Murphy boys soccer team.

In fact, his eye-popping footwork and gaudy statistics (17 goals, 20 assists) prompted the Wildcats’ stadium announcer to nickname him the “Magic Man.”

But as good as Bartley’s season was, being voted The Herald’s 2013 Soccer Player of the Year caught him by surprise.

“I was pretty much shocked,” he said. “I always thought of winning the award and how cool it would be to win it, but I never thought it would happen because I go to such a small school and in a conference (the Cascade Conference) that people underestimate a lot and don’t take seriously.”

Bartley credited his teammates for the roles they played in his stellar season, and also noted how much he benefited from playing for his father, Archbishop Murphy coach Mike Bartley.

“My dad has always been my biggest mentor and coach and pretty much my role model,” Josh said. “I’ve looked up to him and he’s always been in love with soccer and that passed down to me.”

Being both a father and coach hasn’t been easy for Mike.

“It’s probably one of the hardest things I’ve had to do,” he said, “be a coach and a dad in a scenario where Josh is excelling and try to say something that didn’t sound like too much of a dad.”

At the prep level, Josh surpassed his dad’s career, but he’s not yet claimed the title of “Best in the Family.”

That honor goes to Josh’s mother, Joan Buratto, who had a storied high school career as a striker at Meadowdale.

“I think she might have been better than me,” Josh said.

Buratto scored a school single-season record 26 goals, Mike said. Added Josh with a laugh: “She may have mentioned that once or twice.”

Josh plans to attend the University of Washington in the fall and has spoken with coach Jamie Clark about walking on with the Huskies. Having a player-of-the-year award on his resume can’t hurt.

“We’re excited for him to get this award,” Mike Bartley said. “It puts him in the spotlight where maybe that will help springboard him into that opportunity to be able to go down there and do that.”

But Josh knows that competing against Division I scholarship players won’t be easy. He plans to spend the summer working on what he sees as his biggest weakness — and he doesn’t mean it ironically.

“My weakness is just my strength,” Josh said. “I think I need to bulk up a little bit, but then if I do that, I feel like I have all the skills I need. … It’s one of the things I’ve always dreamed about — to put on the purple and gold of UW would be amazing to me.”

In the fall, Mike Bartley will hope for the best for his son, while trying to find replacements for Josh and fellow senior captain Jalen Crisler (22 goals).

“They are best friends and I’ve always considered those two a big part of why we are where we are at,” Mike Bartley said. “I’ve been trying to figure that out since we got knocked out of the (state 2A) tournament. … it’s going to be incredibly hard.

“You don’t replace anybody like that. We’ll have to go forward and work as a team and do a lot better overall.”

And hope to find another magician with the ball like Josh Bartley.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Silvertips defenseman wins U20 Ball Hockey World Title with Canada

Rylan Pearce helps Canada win gold at the ISBHF U20 World Championships in Slovakia.

NHL players, owners vote to ratify 4-year CBA

Notable changes include an 84-game season starting in 2026, shorter contract terms.

Paolo Banchero, Orlando agree to max contract extension

The former O’Dea star could earn up to $287 million over five years.

AquaSox outfielder Carson Jones gets settled in the batter's box during Everett's 4-3 loss to the Vancouver Canadians at Funko Field on July 6, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
AquaSox show progress, but drop fifth straight to Canadians

Jones’ go-ahead, 3-run homer is spoiled in 4-3 loss to wrap up homestand.

Bryan Woo of the Seattle Mariners delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on Friday, April 18, 2025, in Toronto. (Vaughn Ridley / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Three Mariners added to MLB All-Star Game

Major League Baseball announced today that Mariners outfielder Julio Rodríguez,… Continue reading

George Kirby (68) of the Seattle Mariners pitches in the third inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at T-Mobile Park on Sunday, July 6, 2025, in Seattle. (Alika Jenne / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Pirates finish historically bad offensive series in Seattle

Similar to the first two games of the series, the… Continue reading

Seattle Storm forward Alysha Clark (32) and Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) guard each other during a free throw in a WNBA basketball game between the Aces and the Seattle Storm at Michelob ULTRA Arena Friday, June 20, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Madeline Carter / Las Vegas Review-Journal / Tribune News Services)
Storm uses third-quarter thunderbolt to down Liberty

Rookie Dominique Malonga scored 11 and took over in the third quarter for Seattle.

AquaSox pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje follows through on a pitch during Everett's 3-0 loss to the Vancouver Canadians at Funko Field on July 5, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
AquaSox blanked by Vancouver as losing skid continues

Everett generates just three hits in 3-0 loss to the Canadians on Saturday.

AquaSox infielder Charlie Pagliarini starts to swing at a pitch that he would launch for a two-run home run in Everett's 9-2 loss to the Vancouver Canadians at Funko Field on July 4, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
AquaSox lack spark in Independence Day loss to Vancouver

Everett draws eight walks, but has just two hits in 9-2 loss to the Canadians.

Kimberly Beard, a rising senior at King's, stands next to the results board after winning the girls hammer throw at the Nike Outdoor National Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon on June 22, 2025. (Photo courtesy Donna Beard)
Beard, Tupua shine at Nike Outdoor Nationals

The rising seniors make their mark on a national stage amidst a busy summer schedule.

The Seattle Mariners' Julio Rodríguez, right, claps after stealing second base during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at T-Mobile Park on Thursday, July 3, 2025, in Seattle. (Alika Jenner / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Witt Jr. and Mariners’ bullpen both slide, KC wins series

The Kansas City Royals found a way against the Seattle Mariners on… Continue reading

Seattle Storm guard Skylar Diggins (4) tries to drive past Dallas Wings guard JJ Quinerly (11) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game at College Park Center on Monday, May 19, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Storm)
Storm survive Dream on Diggins game-winner

Nneka Ogwumike and Erica Wheeler combined for 45 points in the 80-79 win.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.