Nugent hired as WSU soccer coach

Women’s soccer: Washington State athletic director Bill Moos on Thursday named Steve Nugent as the Cougars’ new head coach.

Nugent becomes the sixth coach in program history after spending the last three seasons at UNC Greensboro. His 2012 UNCG squad captured the Southern Conference regular-season title.

The Cougars advanced to the NCAA championship in five of the last six seasons, including a second-round appearance in 2009 and 2011. Last season, WSU (14-3-4) set or tied 28 school records while finishing runner-up in the Pac-12 Conference under coach Keidane McAlpine.

Holland returns to Olympics

Olympics: Sandpoint native Nate Holland, a standout on the snowboard cross circuit, has been named to the U.S. Olympic team.

It will be the third Olympic Games for Holland, who competed in 2006, finishing 14th in snowboard cross, and 2010, when he finished fourth.

Last week he won his seventh Winter X Games gold medal, wrapping up his spot on the Olympic team.

He and his wife, Christen, live in Truckee, Calif.

The Sochi Olympics begin Thursday and conclude on Feb. 23.

Sounders sell Montero to Lisbon

MLS: The Seattle Sounders sold career leading scorer Fredy Montero to Sporting Lisbon of Portugal, the club announced.

Sporting exercised its option to buy Montero on permanent transfer. The Sounders will receive a transfer fee.

Montero, 26, is Seattle’s career goals leader with 47 in MLS. He holds club records with 23 winning goals and 12 winning assists across all competitions. He joined Seattle before its 2009 expansion season, was named MLS newcomer of the year, and became a three-time All-Star.

Associated Press