BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Western Washington University head men's soccer coach Greg Brisbon has announced the addition of midfielder Maksim Yurichko to the recruiting class that will debut for the Vikings this fall.
 
Yurichko is a midfielder out of Columbia River High School in Vancouver, Washington and a product of the Washington Timbers FC club program. He was coached at Columbia River by former Viking men's soccer player Filly Afenegus.
 
Born in the Ukraine, Yurichko (yur-itch-co) moved to the United States when he was five years old.
 
He was a four-year varsity letterwinner at Columbia River and helped lead the Rapids to the 2018 state championship as a freshman. Yurichko was selected to The Columbians All-Region team in 2018 and was a two-time Greater St. Helens League selection in 2018 and 2019. As a member of Washington Timbers FC he made the All-State Cup Starting 11 in 2018.
 
"I am excited about getting the opportunity to play at a high level with very good teammates in a competitive environment," said Yurichko. "I love the culture that runs in the program at WWU and the feeling to be around your teammates and continue to play soccer at a high level."
 
Yurichko is the third player in Western's recruiting class that will take the field this fall, joining midfielder Lucas Hakamada (Bothell, WA/Inglemoor) and forward Hatcher Manning (Anchorage, AK/Service).
 
WWU is scheduled to open the fall season Sept. 2-4 with a Northern California road trip playing at Chico State (9/2) and Sonoma State (9/4).