OLYMPIA, Wash. — For five years, Brittany kept her relationship with her soccer coach a secret.

Back in 2009, David E. Cross was a well respected coach with the premier level Blackhills Football Club in Olympia. He coached the top teenage female players and was tough on them.

“I just looked up to him immensely,” Brittany said. “I didn’t have someone that was involved in sports that I could look up to. He was a big mentor for me.”

KING 5 agreed not to disclose Brittany’s last name because of the alleged abuse she suffered as a minor.

Brittany said he started singling her out when she was 15.

“He started asking what I had done with other people my age, sexually,” she said. “And he wanted to know details about what happened, and it just started progressing from there.”

Despite the red flags, Brittany said she trusted Cross, and claims he abused that trust.

“I was a virgin until him,” she said. “And he convinced me I shouldn’t go to college that way. So I was afraid to, because I thought I would get taken advantage of there, not knowing he was taking advantage of me then.”

Over a period of a few months, the former soccer player said Cross had sex with her nine times, in his van, at a motel, and at a several parks.

“While we were having sex, he would take pictures, and I don’t know what he would do with them after that,” she said.

The relationship ended when the police caught the two of them in his van one evening. According to a Lacey police report, the two denied anything was going on and no charges were filed.

Brittany went to college and then to nursing school. Struggling with anxiety and depression, she finally realized the relationship had taken its toll.

Earlier this year Brittany went back to the police, who conducted an investigation. But according to her attorney, the statute of limitations had run out, so she’s suing Cross for sexual exploitation and emotional distress. (Read: Complaint for damages)

“Brittany is between that window of time between 16 and 18 where the law doesn’t afford as much protection,” Tacoma attorney Kevin Hasting said.

Cross has not returned our calls.

In an written statement, Blackhills F.C. said, “When the investigation was completed, given the evidence discovered by the investigating agency, Mr.Cross’ employment with Blackhills F.C. was immediately terminated.”

Another Blackhills F.C. soccer coach pleaded guilty to assault after having an inappropriate relationship with a player in 2002.

A Blackhills F.C. spokesperson said after the 2002 incident, the club came up with a “Coach Player Interaction Policy” dictating rules against one-on-one interactions off the field.

Brittany claims Blackhills F.C. didn’t do enough to enforce those rules.

She wants the public to know what happened to her and keep it from happening again.

“I knew I needed to get through this and do something about it because you see stories like the Bill Cosby case, where women come out 20 years later and they’re still affected,” she said. “I don’t want to be that woman.”