Looking Back At The 2021-22 Year
SEATTLE – As the school year comes to a close, GoHuskies.com takes a look back at the past 10 months for the UW women's soccer team.
2021 SEASON RECAP
After a spring run that ended in the Sweet Sixteen against an eventual Final Four team North Carolina, the Huskies wrapped up the 2021 fall campaign with a 6-8-4 record with a 4-4-3 mark in conference play. Washington finished for the third consecutive year within the Top 5 in conference standings.
The Dawgs opened up the season with back-to-back games against Top 5 opponents beginning with a Sweet Sixteen rematch against No. 2 UNC in Chapel Hill and at No. 5 Duke. Washington kept a close game with, with the Blue Devils scoring the game-winning goal in the 88th minute.
In the home opener, the Huskies picked up their first victory of the season over Loyola Marymount. The Huskies went on a three-game unbeaten streak in the middle of September vs. Long Beach State (1-1, 2OT), at Seattle U (1-0, OT) and vs. No. 15 Arizona State (2-2, 2OT). Washington matched that unbeaten streak coming down the stretch, with games vs. No. 5 USC (2-2, OT), at Oregon State (2-1) and at Oregon (3-1).
#PRODAWGS
Following the season, all three returning fifth-year student-athletes went on to the pro ranks. Olivia Van der Jagt became the third ever Husky selected in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) College Draft, going in the third round to OL Reign. Ameera Hussen also signed a professional contract to play for IBV, a club that plays in Iceland's top division. In addition, Jessika Cowart signed a contract in Turkey.
TEAM IMPACT
Washington welcomed a new Husky to the family in Arianna Graham, who signed her National Letter of Intent through Team IMPACT. As a member of the program, Graham will attend Husky practices, games and other team events.
Team IMPACT has a mission to improve the quality of life for children suffering from life-altering diagnoses. To read more about Graham's story, click here.
GETTING IT DONE IN THE CLASSROOM
Academically, the Huskies posted two quarters in-a-row the highest GPA in program history, most recently during Winter 22 with a 3.77. In addition, 18 student-athletes were named to the Pac-12 Honor Roll.
Senior MaKayla Woods was named the 2022 Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity Scholar Athlete award winner, becoming the fourth women's soccer student-athlete to earn the honor.
2022 SPRING RECAP
The spring season saw the Huskies play five contests over the span of six weeks, playing Idaho, Gonzaga, Seattle Pacific and Eastern Washington along with the boy's club team Crossfire. The spring allows the coaching staff the opportunity to see new faces and get everyone valuable time on the pitch.
One of the new faces, was freshman Hayden Crowley. Crowley, the 2021 Mid-Columbia Conference Player of the Year, graduated early from Richland High School and joined the squad in time for the spring. During her high school career, Crowley scored nearly 40 goals while adding over 50 assists.
LOOKING AHEAD
Looking ahead to the 2022 season, the Huskies welcome back 21 players from last year's squad in addition to 10 newcomers (link, link, link) and three mid-year transfers from Arizona State, Washington State and Florida. The returners bring back a combined 11,502 minutes of playing time from last year.
In addition, the Huskies return eight starters. Three of the five captains return for one final season on Montlake – Mary Johnston, Shae Holmes and Olivia Sekany.
Leading goal and point scorer from last season, Summer Yates, returns for her fifth year after a 2021 campaign in which she had five goals with five assists. Yates was named to the All-Pacific Region Second Team by United Soccer Coaches and All-Pac-12 First Team. Recently, she was called up to the U23 National Team, that competed against three NWSL teams – Chicago Red Stars, OL Reign and Portland Thorns FC.
Sekany comes back for her third season in the Purple and Gold. She led the goalkeeping group with 1703 minutes, notching 76 saves on the year with three shutouts. The graduate student had a career-high nine saves in the 1-1 draw with Utah.
Holmes returns to the field after missing the fall season due to injury. The graduate student is a three-year captain and a former member of the USA U20 National Team that won the 2020 CONCACAF Championship. Over her UW career, Holmes has appeared in 25 games, including all 10 starts during the 2021 spring season.
For more information on the UW women's soccer team, follow @UW_WSoccer on Twitter and Instagram.