
Husky Womenβs Soccer Kicks Off 2025 Season At Home Thursday Versus Oregon State
August 13, 2025 | Women's Soccer
SEATTLE βΒ Looking the build on the momentum of a more than successful first season in the Big Ten, the Washington women's soccer team will take its first step forward in 2025 Thursday night at Husky Soccer Stadium, hosting Oregon State for a 7:00 p.m. PT kickoff.
Β
The Dawgs' season opener will be available for streaming on B1G+. Links to tickets and full match coverage options are available on the schedule page at GoHuskies.com.
Β
SCOUTING OREGON STATE
After guiding the Beavers as interim head coach a season ago, Caroline Kelly had her interim tag removed ahead of the 2025 season and enters her second campaign guiding the Oregon State program.
Β
The Beavers posted a 7-9-2 record a season ago, including 5-3-2 in their first season as a member of the West Coast Conference. OSU returns to WCC play this season before joining the revamped Pac-12 Conference.
Β
While Oregon State was forced to replace over half of its roster through either graduation or the transfer portal, several key contributors nonetheless return to the Beaver lineup.
Β
Among that group is starting goalkeeper Mya Sanchez, who played ever minutes between the posts for OSU last season. Leading the WCC in saves (92) and ranking third in save percentage (.780), Sanchez was bestowed with Preseason All-WCC honors. Graduate transfer forward Carly Carraher is the Beavers' leading returning scorer with three goals last season. The Honorable Mention All-WCC honoree is also OSU's leading returner in shots (36) and shots on goal (17). Senior defender Paola Figueroa, who led Oregon State with four assists last season, is also back in the Beaver squad.
Β
Oregon State bolstered its lineup with myriad new additions, including several from outside the Division I ranks. Emily Ibsen (Adams State), Sammy Martinez (Hartnell College), Kassidy Michael (Southern New Hampshire), Alexi Morgan (Chemeketa Community College) and Evee Stoddard (Peninsula College) will all be making their first foray into college soccer's top level.
Β
SERIES HISTORY
Longtime foes in the Pac-12 Conference, Washington and Oregon State have a robust history against one another. The Huskies own a 20-7-6 advantage across the 33 all-time meetings, including an 8-4-3 mark in Seattle. After four-straight UW victories from 2018-21, the two sides have drawn the last two matchups in 2022 in Seattle and in 2023 in Corvallis.
LAST MEETING (10/29/23)
CORVALLIS, ORE. - The Huskies dominated possession and had nearly all of the scoring chances versus Oregon State but thanks in part to a heroic effort from Beaver keeper Hailey Coll, Washington was forced to settle for a scoreless draw at Paul Lorenz Field.
Β
While a glance at the stat sheet may suggest an even affair, the Dawgs dictated play throughout the day in Corvallis. UW outshot the Beavers 20-17, putting half of their shots on goal.
Β
Kelsey Branson very nearly gave the Huskies a lead less than four minutes in, taking down a ball over the top, but was denied in her 1-on-1 by Coll.
Shortly before half, the Dawgs turned defense into offense as Kolo Suliafu connected with Enora Matté, who bent a delightful through ball into Jace Holmes path. The junior ran onto it and hit the ball well with her left, striking the crossbar to deny the opener.
Β
Branson again got in behind in the 62nd minute and fired a driven shot near post, but once again Coll was there to make the save. Tatum Thomason, Thursday's hero, then had a pair of good looks in rapid succession in the 70th and 71st minute, but couldn't beat Coll.
Β
As the seconds continued to tick down, the Huskies were nearly dealt a devastating blow near the final whistle when the Beavers put the ball in the back of the net. However, the goal was chalked off on a foul on Juarez, wiping the slate clean as things finished nil-nil.
MIA KICKS CANCER
Washington will be playing for far more than bragging rights and glory on the pitch in 2025, sporting an orange ribbon on the front of its jerseys in support of senior goalkeeper Mia Hamant, who was diagnosed with Stage 4 SMARCB1-deficient kidney cancer. Hamant hopes to return to the pitch in Purple and Gold but will not suit up on the pitch in 2025.
Β
The California native, who recently celebrated her 21st birthday, did more than just perform in her first season as Washington's primary keeper a season ago, she starred. Hamant posted the nation's third-best save percentage in 2024 at .882, while UW collectively hailed the NCAA's top save percentage. Hamant's 0.66 goals against average was the third lowest in a season for a UW keeper, while her seven clean sheets were the sixth most in a season for a Husky.
Β
Hamant, who also excels in the classroom at U Dub as a College Sports Communicators Academic All-District and Big Ten Fall All-Academic honoree, put UW on her back during Washington's postseason run last season. The Redwood HS product was named to the Big Ten All-Tournament Team after making three penalty saves to lift UW over Iowa into the Big Ten Semifinals, then followed up with more penalty shootout excellence as UW advanced past No. 25 Utah State into the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament.
Β
The UW community has rallied around Hamant, with several Husky programs donning orange ribbons in the standout shot stopper's honor. Additionally, a GoFundMe to support the various costs associated with Hamant's care has raised over $125,000 to date. Fans can follow along with Hamant's cancer journey on Instagram at @miakickscancer.
ALL ROADS CLOSED
The stout Husky defensive unit, which tied the program record for fewest goals allowed in a single season in 2024, surrendering just 12, is led by senior centerback Kolo Suliafu, who was named to the United Soccer Coaches' Defenders to Watch list. Suliafu, a Second Team All-Big Ten and United Soccer Coaches All-Region selection, has made 35 consecutive starts for Washington and contributed to 22 clean sheets throughout her illustrious UW career, including 20 as a member of the starting XI. Suliafu was also ranked as the No. 91 player in all of women's college soccer in TopDrawerSoccer's annual preseason top-100 list. Washington will be without Suliafu's services for Thursday night's opener as the senior serves a one-match suspension after receiving a red card in UW's NCAA Tournament match with No. 2 Mississippi State.
WATCH OUT!
Suliafu was joined on the Big Ten Players to Watch List by a pair of teammates in junior midfielder Samiah Shell and fifth year Laura Cetina. It was Suliafu's second consecutive appearance on the preseason list.
Β
Shell, a native of Auburn, Washington, is Washington's leading returning scorer with five goals during a breakout sophomore campaign. A former participant in the prestigious High School All-American Game, Shell also dished out three assists in 2024 for 13 total points. The Auburn Riverside HS product opened her Husky scoring account with a goal at No. 10 Santa Clara, also adding a brace in UW's Big Ten road victory over Maryland.
Β
Meanwhile, Cetina is a fresh face to Montlake, joining Washington after playing the last two seasons at UMass Lowell, the former home of Husky All-Big Ten standout Ioanna Papatheodorou. Cetina brings a winning pedigree in tow, having guided Eastern Florida State College to its first-ever NJCAA National Championship in 2021. Prior to coming stateside, the A Coruña, Spain, native scored 38 goals over four seasons for Spanish club Victoria C.F.
BRICK-BY-BRICK
Washington boasted one of the nation's very best combination of goalkeeping and defensive aptitude in 2024. In addition to leading the nation in save percentage, UW's 0.560 goals against average was the eighth-best in Division I, while the Huskies' shutout percentage of 52.4 percent ranked 28th nationally. In goal, the duo of Hamant and senior Olivia Juarez proved nearly impossible to beat, combining to tie the school record with 11 clean sheets on the season. Juarez set Washington's program records for career goals against average (0.89) and single season GAA (0.32).
Β
SMART COOKIES
For the 10th straight season, Washington has received the United Soccer Coaches Academic Award after earning a 3.67 team GPA.
KEEP SLEEPING
Despite grossly outperforming its preseason prognostication of 13th in the 2024 Big Ten Preseason Coaches Poll, finishing tied for 5th in the league table and advancing to the Big Ten Tournament Semifinals, Washington once again is not predicted to be amongst the league's top teams. The Huskies were picked to finish ninth in the 2025 iteration of the preseason poll, with USC predicted to win this season's league crown.
Β
2025 Big Ten Women's Soccer Preseason Poll
1. USC
2. UCLA
3. Penn State
4. Michigan State
5. Ohio State
6. Iowa
7. Wisconsin
8. Rutgers
9. Washington
10. Minnesota
11. Purdue
12. Nebraska
13. Michigan
14. Northwestern
15. Illinois
16. Oregon
17. Indiana
18. Maryland
STARTING XI FIXTURE
Since making seven-straight starts to end her freshman campaign, junior Kelsey Branson has not failed to crack the Huskies' starting XI a single time, a streak spanning 47 consecutive matches. Branson is the only Husky to start all 19 matches in 2023 and all 21 fixtures of 2024.
Β
YES INDEED I CAN RUN IT, RUN IT
After Washington made its living largely off of set piece opportunities in 2023, the vast majority of the Huskies' 24 goals in 2024 came through build-up play. The Huskies scored 16 times last season from the run of play, compared to eight goals coming off of set pieces.
Β
LEFT SIDE, BEST SIDE
Of the 28 members of Washington's 2025 roster, 20 hail from West Coast states, featuring 11 natives of California, eight home state products from Washington and one product of the Portland suburbs in Oregon. However, Washington's squad spans the US and globe, with natives of Georgia, Kansas, Nevada and five internationals donning the Purple and Gold.
HOME SWEET HOME
Washington will be forced to leave the friendly confines of its home state just once over the first seven matches of the season. UW opens the season with three-consecutive home fixtures at Husky Soccer Stadium, followed by the only trip across borders in non-conference play to UC Irvine. Road matches at in-state foes Seattle U and Gonzaga follow before UW wraps up non-Big Ten action at home against another former Pac-12 rival in Utah.
CONSISTENCY IS KEY
For the second consecutive season, Washington returns every member of its coaching staff, retaining assistant coaches Cole Schmit, Raphael Cox and Kary Whitney to Nicole Van Dyke's staff. Previously Washington had not returned every member of its coaching staff since 2018.
LEADING BY EXAMPLE
This summer, Washington senior Lucy Newlin was one of two UW athletes selected as a Big Ten's Outstanding Sportsmanship Award honoree, along with baseball's Malakhi Knight. A two-way player on the pitch and in the classroom, Newlin leads through both words and actions, showing consummate respect and sportsmanship for both her teammates and opponents. The NorCal native is also a leader in the community for the Dawgs, consistently rating as one of UW's top participants in community service initiatives. On the field, the Newlin is expected to be a key cog to the Husky defense after battling through nagging injuries in 2024.
CROOTIN' ALL OVER THE WORLD
Washington spanned not only the country to bolster its roster in 2025, the Huskies searched all over the world to bring in the newest group of Dawgs. UW added five Europeans this summer in midfielder Laura Cetina (Spain/UMass Lowell), goalkeeper Cadi Doran (Wales/Liverpool FC), defender Julia Hüsch (Germany/UNC Asheville) and defender Anouk Westphal (Germany/Hertha BSC). Washington also returns junior Belgian international defender/midfielder Enora Matté, who is set to resume action after tearing her ACL during Big Ten play in 2024.
Β
YOU CAN FIND ME IN DA CLUB
One of the more unique paths to the Husky roster comes from junior Avery Nguyen, who was offered a roster spot prior to the start of the 2023 season after a trial during preseason training. A native of the Kansas City metro area and a former standout for Olathe Northwest High School and Sporting Blue Valley, Nguyen led the UW club team in scoring as a college freshman in 2022.
Β
Now a senior, Nguyen has more than earned her spot, appearing in 13 matches over the last two seasons, including a pair of starts in 2023.
Β
COMING TO A TUBE NEAR YOU!
Washington will play three nationally televised games on the Big Ten Network. The Huskies will be the first opponent featured in front of a national live audience for No. 5 USC at the newly constructed Rawlinson Stadium on Sept. 11. UW will then play back-to-back home matches on the Big Ten Network, hosting Minnesota and Wisconsin on Oct. 16 and 19, respectively.
Β
VEGAS BORN, SEATTLE PROUD
Hailing from the Las Vegas desert, Washington sophomore Andrea Leyva and her brother, Seattle Sounders midfielder Danny Leyva now call the Evergreen State home. Andrea appeared in 16 matches with 10 starts for UW as a freshman and was ranked as a four star recruit and the No. 39 prospect in the nation by TopDrawerSoccer. Meanwhile, Danny has played in 69 matches for Seattle's MLS club, becoming the third youngest player in league history after coming on as a late substitute in the Sounders' away loss to the Montreal Impact.
Β
For more information on Husky Women's Soccer, follow @UW_WSoccer on Twitter and Instagram.
Β
Β
The Dawgs' season opener will be available for streaming on B1G+. Links to tickets and full match coverage options are available on the schedule page at GoHuskies.com.
Β
SCOUTING OREGON STATE
After guiding the Beavers as interim head coach a season ago, Caroline Kelly had her interim tag removed ahead of the 2025 season and enters her second campaign guiding the Oregon State program.
Β
The Beavers posted a 7-9-2 record a season ago, including 5-3-2 in their first season as a member of the West Coast Conference. OSU returns to WCC play this season before joining the revamped Pac-12 Conference.
Β
While Oregon State was forced to replace over half of its roster through either graduation or the transfer portal, several key contributors nonetheless return to the Beaver lineup.
Β
Among that group is starting goalkeeper Mya Sanchez, who played ever minutes between the posts for OSU last season. Leading the WCC in saves (92) and ranking third in save percentage (.780), Sanchez was bestowed with Preseason All-WCC honors. Graduate transfer forward Carly Carraher is the Beavers' leading returning scorer with three goals last season. The Honorable Mention All-WCC honoree is also OSU's leading returner in shots (36) and shots on goal (17). Senior defender Paola Figueroa, who led Oregon State with four assists last season, is also back in the Beaver squad.
Β
Oregon State bolstered its lineup with myriad new additions, including several from outside the Division I ranks. Emily Ibsen (Adams State), Sammy Martinez (Hartnell College), Kassidy Michael (Southern New Hampshire), Alexi Morgan (Chemeketa Community College) and Evee Stoddard (Peninsula College) will all be making their first foray into college soccer's top level.
Β
SERIES HISTORY
Longtime foes in the Pac-12 Conference, Washington and Oregon State have a robust history against one another. The Huskies own a 20-7-6 advantage across the 33 all-time meetings, including an 8-4-3 mark in Seattle. After four-straight UW victories from 2018-21, the two sides have drawn the last two matchups in 2022 in Seattle and in 2023 in Corvallis.
LAST MEETING (10/29/23)
CORVALLIS, ORE. - The Huskies dominated possession and had nearly all of the scoring chances versus Oregon State but thanks in part to a heroic effort from Beaver keeper Hailey Coll, Washington was forced to settle for a scoreless draw at Paul Lorenz Field.
Β
While a glance at the stat sheet may suggest an even affair, the Dawgs dictated play throughout the day in Corvallis. UW outshot the Beavers 20-17, putting half of their shots on goal.
Β
Kelsey Branson very nearly gave the Huskies a lead less than four minutes in, taking down a ball over the top, but was denied in her 1-on-1 by Coll.
Shortly before half, the Dawgs turned defense into offense as Kolo Suliafu connected with Enora Matté, who bent a delightful through ball into Jace Holmes path. The junior ran onto it and hit the ball well with her left, striking the crossbar to deny the opener.
Β
Branson again got in behind in the 62nd minute and fired a driven shot near post, but once again Coll was there to make the save. Tatum Thomason, Thursday's hero, then had a pair of good looks in rapid succession in the 70th and 71st minute, but couldn't beat Coll.
Β
As the seconds continued to tick down, the Huskies were nearly dealt a devastating blow near the final whistle when the Beavers put the ball in the back of the net. However, the goal was chalked off on a foul on Juarez, wiping the slate clean as things finished nil-nil.
MIA KICKS CANCER
Washington will be playing for far more than bragging rights and glory on the pitch in 2025, sporting an orange ribbon on the front of its jerseys in support of senior goalkeeper Mia Hamant, who was diagnosed with Stage 4 SMARCB1-deficient kidney cancer. Hamant hopes to return to the pitch in Purple and Gold but will not suit up on the pitch in 2025.
Β
The California native, who recently celebrated her 21st birthday, did more than just perform in her first season as Washington's primary keeper a season ago, she starred. Hamant posted the nation's third-best save percentage in 2024 at .882, while UW collectively hailed the NCAA's top save percentage. Hamant's 0.66 goals against average was the third lowest in a season for a UW keeper, while her seven clean sheets were the sixth most in a season for a Husky.
Β
Hamant, who also excels in the classroom at U Dub as a College Sports Communicators Academic All-District and Big Ten Fall All-Academic honoree, put UW on her back during Washington's postseason run last season. The Redwood HS product was named to the Big Ten All-Tournament Team after making three penalty saves to lift UW over Iowa into the Big Ten Semifinals, then followed up with more penalty shootout excellence as UW advanced past No. 25 Utah State into the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament.
Β
The UW community has rallied around Hamant, with several Husky programs donning orange ribbons in the standout shot stopper's honor. Additionally, a GoFundMe to support the various costs associated with Hamant's care has raised over $125,000 to date. Fans can follow along with Hamant's cancer journey on Instagram at @miakickscancer.
ALL ROADS CLOSED
The stout Husky defensive unit, which tied the program record for fewest goals allowed in a single season in 2024, surrendering just 12, is led by senior centerback Kolo Suliafu, who was named to the United Soccer Coaches' Defenders to Watch list. Suliafu, a Second Team All-Big Ten and United Soccer Coaches All-Region selection, has made 35 consecutive starts for Washington and contributed to 22 clean sheets throughout her illustrious UW career, including 20 as a member of the starting XI. Suliafu was also ranked as the No. 91 player in all of women's college soccer in TopDrawerSoccer's annual preseason top-100 list. Washington will be without Suliafu's services for Thursday night's opener as the senior serves a one-match suspension after receiving a red card in UW's NCAA Tournament match with No. 2 Mississippi State.
WATCH OUT!
Suliafu was joined on the Big Ten Players to Watch List by a pair of teammates in junior midfielder Samiah Shell and fifth year Laura Cetina. It was Suliafu's second consecutive appearance on the preseason list.
Β
Shell, a native of Auburn, Washington, is Washington's leading returning scorer with five goals during a breakout sophomore campaign. A former participant in the prestigious High School All-American Game, Shell also dished out three assists in 2024 for 13 total points. The Auburn Riverside HS product opened her Husky scoring account with a goal at No. 10 Santa Clara, also adding a brace in UW's Big Ten road victory over Maryland.
Β
Meanwhile, Cetina is a fresh face to Montlake, joining Washington after playing the last two seasons at UMass Lowell, the former home of Husky All-Big Ten standout Ioanna Papatheodorou. Cetina brings a winning pedigree in tow, having guided Eastern Florida State College to its first-ever NJCAA National Championship in 2021. Prior to coming stateside, the A Coruña, Spain, native scored 38 goals over four seasons for Spanish club Victoria C.F.
BRICK-BY-BRICK
Washington boasted one of the nation's very best combination of goalkeeping and defensive aptitude in 2024. In addition to leading the nation in save percentage, UW's 0.560 goals against average was the eighth-best in Division I, while the Huskies' shutout percentage of 52.4 percent ranked 28th nationally. In goal, the duo of Hamant and senior Olivia Juarez proved nearly impossible to beat, combining to tie the school record with 11 clean sheets on the season. Juarez set Washington's program records for career goals against average (0.89) and single season GAA (0.32).
Β
SMART COOKIES
For the 10th straight season, Washington has received the United Soccer Coaches Academic Award after earning a 3.67 team GPA.
KEEP SLEEPING
Despite grossly outperforming its preseason prognostication of 13th in the 2024 Big Ten Preseason Coaches Poll, finishing tied for 5th in the league table and advancing to the Big Ten Tournament Semifinals, Washington once again is not predicted to be amongst the league's top teams. The Huskies were picked to finish ninth in the 2025 iteration of the preseason poll, with USC predicted to win this season's league crown.
Β
2025 Big Ten Women's Soccer Preseason Poll
1. USC
2. UCLA
3. Penn State
4. Michigan State
5. Ohio State
6. Iowa
7. Wisconsin
8. Rutgers
9. Washington
10. Minnesota
11. Purdue
12. Nebraska
13. Michigan
14. Northwestern
15. Illinois
16. Oregon
17. Indiana
18. Maryland
STARTING XI FIXTURE
Since making seven-straight starts to end her freshman campaign, junior Kelsey Branson has not failed to crack the Huskies' starting XI a single time, a streak spanning 47 consecutive matches. Branson is the only Husky to start all 19 matches in 2023 and all 21 fixtures of 2024.
Β
YES INDEED I CAN RUN IT, RUN IT
After Washington made its living largely off of set piece opportunities in 2023, the vast majority of the Huskies' 24 goals in 2024 came through build-up play. The Huskies scored 16 times last season from the run of play, compared to eight goals coming off of set pieces.
Β
LEFT SIDE, BEST SIDE
Of the 28 members of Washington's 2025 roster, 20 hail from West Coast states, featuring 11 natives of California, eight home state products from Washington and one product of the Portland suburbs in Oregon. However, Washington's squad spans the US and globe, with natives of Georgia, Kansas, Nevada and five internationals donning the Purple and Gold.
HOME SWEET HOME
Washington will be forced to leave the friendly confines of its home state just once over the first seven matches of the season. UW opens the season with three-consecutive home fixtures at Husky Soccer Stadium, followed by the only trip across borders in non-conference play to UC Irvine. Road matches at in-state foes Seattle U and Gonzaga follow before UW wraps up non-Big Ten action at home against another former Pac-12 rival in Utah.
CONSISTENCY IS KEY
For the second consecutive season, Washington returns every member of its coaching staff, retaining assistant coaches Cole Schmit, Raphael Cox and Kary Whitney to Nicole Van Dyke's staff. Previously Washington had not returned every member of its coaching staff since 2018.
LEADING BY EXAMPLE
This summer, Washington senior Lucy Newlin was one of two UW athletes selected as a Big Ten's Outstanding Sportsmanship Award honoree, along with baseball's Malakhi Knight. A two-way player on the pitch and in the classroom, Newlin leads through both words and actions, showing consummate respect and sportsmanship for both her teammates and opponents. The NorCal native is also a leader in the community for the Dawgs, consistently rating as one of UW's top participants in community service initiatives. On the field, the Newlin is expected to be a key cog to the Husky defense after battling through nagging injuries in 2024.
CROOTIN' ALL OVER THE WORLD
Washington spanned not only the country to bolster its roster in 2025, the Huskies searched all over the world to bring in the newest group of Dawgs. UW added five Europeans this summer in midfielder Laura Cetina (Spain/UMass Lowell), goalkeeper Cadi Doran (Wales/Liverpool FC), defender Julia Hüsch (Germany/UNC Asheville) and defender Anouk Westphal (Germany/Hertha BSC). Washington also returns junior Belgian international defender/midfielder Enora Matté, who is set to resume action after tearing her ACL during Big Ten play in 2024.
Β
YOU CAN FIND ME IN DA CLUB
One of the more unique paths to the Husky roster comes from junior Avery Nguyen, who was offered a roster spot prior to the start of the 2023 season after a trial during preseason training. A native of the Kansas City metro area and a former standout for Olathe Northwest High School and Sporting Blue Valley, Nguyen led the UW club team in scoring as a college freshman in 2022.
Β
Now a senior, Nguyen has more than earned her spot, appearing in 13 matches over the last two seasons, including a pair of starts in 2023.
Β
COMING TO A TUBE NEAR YOU!
Washington will play three nationally televised games on the Big Ten Network. The Huskies will be the first opponent featured in front of a national live audience for No. 5 USC at the newly constructed Rawlinson Stadium on Sept. 11. UW will then play back-to-back home matches on the Big Ten Network, hosting Minnesota and Wisconsin on Oct. 16 and 19, respectively.
Β
VEGAS BORN, SEATTLE PROUD
Hailing from the Las Vegas desert, Washington sophomore Andrea Leyva and her brother, Seattle Sounders midfielder Danny Leyva now call the Evergreen State home. Andrea appeared in 16 matches with 10 starts for UW as a freshman and was ranked as a four star recruit and the No. 39 prospect in the nation by TopDrawerSoccer. Meanwhile, Danny has played in 69 matches for Seattle's MLS club, becoming the third youngest player in league history after coming on as a late substitute in the Sounders' away loss to the Montreal Impact.
Β
For more information on Husky Women's Soccer, follow @UW_WSoccer on Twitter and Instagram.
Β
Players Mentioned
The Strength of Mia Hamant | On the Pitch | Washington Women's Soccer
Monday, September 08
Samiah Shell with a chance! π€π―
Friday, September 05
No getting past Tanner Ijams β
Friday, September 05
Washington 3, LBSU 0 | Huskies Highlights
Friday, August 22