Women's Soccer Announces Spring Schedule
February 25, 2013 | Women's Soccer
Feb. 25, 2013
SEATTLE -- Washington head coach Lesle Gallimore released the spring schedule for the Husky women's soccer team on Monday. The schedule includes a stretch of six games against local teams that will help the Dawgs prepare for its foreign tour in Italy this coming June.
"We are excited to get our non-traditional training segment and games underway," said Gallimore." We are starting our games a little earlier this year as we have a fairly large returning squad, their fitness base is good, and we'd like to get as much full match soccer in as soon as we can."
"There will be ample opportunity for our younger players to gain much needed game experience. Amanda Perez and Isabel Farrell may miss some game opportunities due to National Team duty, but that is to be determined. Kate Bennett is still spending her mandatory "year in residence" before competition is allowed based on the Pac-12 Intra-conference Transfer rule, but she will be allowed to compete in Italy in June."
Washington opens up the spring season by hosting Seattle U. on March 14 at 7 p.m. The Dawgs beat the Redhawks in the season opener this past fall, 2-0.
Next up, the Huskies travel down I-5 to face the University of Portland at the Pilots Merlo Field. The game between traditional rivals and two of the top teams in the West will take place on Sunday April 7, at 3 p.m.
"It will be good to play Portland again, as for the first time in a long time they were not on our fall schedule and they are always a fun team to play," said Gallimore. "The Pilots challenge you in every aspect of the game and our team always benefits from competing against them."
Washington will then host Western Washington and Seattle Pacific for a double-header on April 17, beginning at 5 p.m. The Dawgs return a large number of players from last year's NCAA Tournament squad and playing two games on the same night will allow for everyone to get some playing time.
On April 21, the Huskies will host Pac-12 rival Oregon at the Husky Soccer Field at 11 a.m. The Dawgs defeated Oregon 2-0 during the regular season, but the Ducks have made significant changes since that meeting.
"We were able to recently add the Oregon Ducks to our schedule," said Gallimore "They are being led by a new coaching staff so it will be interesting to see what different looks we get from them."
Finally, the Huskies finish up the spring schedule with a matchup against the Seattle Sounders Women on May 10 at the Starfire Sports Complex. It will be the second-straight year the Dawgs and Sounders play in the spring. Last year, several of the U.S. National Team's top players were with the Sounders as they tuned up for the Olympics.
"The Sounders Women will field a strong side," said Gallimore. "Many of our players will be joining the team when our spring concludes. The Sounders Women will be made of high level domestic players, current and former collegians, as well as some top notch internationals."
The spring schedule ramps up to Washington's foreign tour to Italy this June. It will give the Dawgs plenty of opportunity to play with each other in preparation for the 2013 season where the Huskies are expected to challenge for the Pac-12 title.
