Reviewing the 2015 Senior Class
November 30, 2015 | Women's Soccer
With the conclusion of the 2015 season, UW women's soccer says goodbye to a five-member senior class that has helped the Huskies to three NCAA tournaments in the last four years, including a trip to the 2014 Sweet Sixteen. Here's a look at each of the seniors and a brief recap of the legacy they leave following their careers at UW.
Allyson Brahs
Newport Beach, California
Brahs finishes her career with 82 appearances and 66 starts, putting her just outside the top-ten all-time in program history. She has been an integral player on the backline that helped Megan Kufeld become UW's all-time leader in shutouts. Brahs has earned numerous academic accolades as a member of the Pac-12 All-Academic team the past two years.
Brahs is majoring in biology and plans to attend medical school upon graduation. She hopes to as a doctor or a surgeon.
Favorite Husky soccer memory:
I have so many wonderful memories from my time on this team. My top memory has to be the Dawg pile after our win against Missouri in the tournament in 2014. Other memories that are up there as well include all the team bonding events - from Hunger Games to Game of Thrones competitions to camping on the field to Amy's team bonding challenges.
Things you have taken away from the program:
This team has been so much more than soccer. I have taken away friends for life and an amazing college experience that I wouldn't trade for anything. I have been fortunate enough to go out everyday and play the sport that I love with the people that I love. I couldn't ask for anything better than that.
What you will miss the most:
Being part of this team. There is unconditional love and support on this team. I don't think I'll ever find another such supportive environment where everyone is so team first and genuinely wants the best for everyone else.
Head coach Lesle Gallimore on Ally: “Ally is a woman of few words who has lead by example on and off the field. She puts her head down and works. Plain and simple. She has been a very consistent performer on our team and that is invaluable.”
Assistant coach Brendan Faherty on Ally: “The quiet one. The efficient one. She excels on the field and in the classroom and is someone that all her teammates trust. She cares so much about her teammates and their well-being. At times it seems like she wanted others to succeed even more than she cared about herself. All these traits describe Ally Brahs, but only tells part of her story. That's a legacy.”
Tori Burns
Oakland, California
In her four years at UW, Burns was one of the Huskies' hardest workers and earned a reputation as a selfless example of how to be a great teammate.
Tori is currently majoring in accounting and is planning on pursuing a master's degree in accountancy at the UW next year. She currently has an internship lined up next summer with a big four accounting firm.
Favorite Husky soccer memory:
My favorite memory of being a Husky is rushing the field after winning the second round NCAA game against Missouri. Seeing Kimby score that golden goal in overtime and being in that dog pile was the most exciting moment of being a Husky.
Things you have taken away from the program:
My biggest takeaway from this program is that hard work is always worth it. Whether it's in explicit results or in life lessons, it always pays off to put your full-effort into everything that you do.
What you will miss the most:
The thing I will miss the most about being a part of this team is wearing Washington across my chest. It's about being a part of something bigger than yourself and being able to represent an entire university.
Lesle on Tori: “Selfless and extremely motivated, Tori, as a perpetual back-up goalkeeper, used everyday to push herself and those around her; when others would have thrown in the towel, Tori persevered and became an extremely valued member of our team whom without we would never have been as good. She is honest, devoted and committed to being a winner, in soccer and in life.”
Brendan on Tori: “Bleeds Purple & Gold. No one bought into this program more than Tori Burns during my time so far in Seattle. From her sophomore spring on, she brought it every single day, whether it was on the field or in the team meeting. She played like it was her last practice every day – a trait that is hard to do when you're not seeing the field regularly in games. But she did it. Legacy? Train like it's your last opportunity, Tori did that and hopefully others will follow in her footsteps.”
Katey Fawcett
Mission Viejo, California
As a senior captain, Fawcett epitomizes what it takes to be a team player. Fawcett provided depth on the back line for the Huskies, playing in 26 games and starting four, including two in 2015.
Fawcett will graduate with a degree in biology with a concentration in physiology. She is planning on taking some time off of school to work and spend time with her family before applying to graduate schools for occupational therapy. She plans to begin working on finishing her degree next summer.
Favorite Husky soccer memory:
My favorite memory was last year, winning to go the Sweet 16 and Dawg piling on Stanford's field.
Things you have taken away from the program:
I've learned what it means to truly be bought in and give everything you have to something, and how rewarding that can be.
What you will miss the most:
The thing I will miss most is being a part of this team. When I look around at my teammates and our staff I don't see good friends or coworkers, I see my family. I have so much love for each of them and the opportunity to be with them everyday and enjoy the grind our successes is something I'll always miss. I'm going to miss all the weird quirky things that we do as a team.
Lesle on Katey: “Big things come in small packages has never been more true. Katey Fawcett personifies that phrase. She has been bought-in and tireless from day one, has lead her teammates and performed her role to perfection. She is team first always and became the backbone of our team.”
Brendan on Katey: “It's been great to watch Katey Fawcett grow as a person these past few years. She went from a quiet member of the team, but one that was always team-first, to a leader with her voice and her actions. She was able to bring more players into the fold and help improve the culture of the team. That will be her legacy and something should fill her with pride.”
McKenzie “Jammer” Karas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Karas finished off a stellar senior season as the Huskies' lone representative on the All-Pac-12 First Team. In a position without many statstics, Karas' impact on the field goes beyond the numbers. She also scored three career goals, her most significant coming when she scored the game-winner in the first round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament against Rider.
Karas plans on graduating in the spring of 2016 with a degree in psychology. She hopes to continue to play soccer, either in the U.S. or abroad. After her soccer career ends, Karas plans on pursuing a career in occupational therapy.
Favorite Husky soccer memory:
Dawg piling when we made it into the Sweet Sixteen last year.
Things you have taken away from the program:
There is always room to grow, whether it's on the field, as a person. A family like this team is irreplaceable.
What you will miss the most:
I will for sure miss just goofing off with the team and the relationships we've built. I'll miss being a Husky and putting on the UW jersey.
Lesle on Jammer: “I think Tori Burns put it best in a toast at senior dinner to Jammer: She epitomizes the journey. She overcame adversity and worked her way into a fantastic senior season. She showed resilience as you would hope a player with a winning mentality would.”
Brendan on Jammer: “The evolution of Jammer Karas has been well-documented, but for the players and the coaches, to see the process every day – it's been quite a rollercoaster, but also a great accomplishment. Many will talk about her senior season, and rightfully so, but what her play in the last five or six of the 2014 season was just as impressive, including scoring the winning-goal in the NCAA tournament against Rider. The ability to overcome adversity, to go from a squad player to First Team All-Pac 12, that will be her legacy, an example to show to players for years to come.”
Megan Kufeld
Fremont, California
Kufeld capped off an award-filled collegiate career by being named the 2015 CoSIDA Academic All-American of the year, as the nation's best student-athlete in women's soccer. With a 3.97 G.P.A. as a biology major, Kufeld has found success on the field and in the classroom. She became UW's all-time leader in career shutouts in 2015, finishing her career with 21.
Upon graduation, Kufeld hopes to continue playing soccer abroad. When her soccer career comes to an end, she plans on studying cellular biology in graduate school and hopes to work in the biotechnology or biomedical research field.
Favorite Husky soccer memory:
There are so many good memories but one that stands out is Dawg piling our way into the Sweet 16!
Things you have taken away from the program:
I am a better teammate, goalkeeper, and person leaving this program than I was when I first got here to UW.
What will you miss the most?
Being a part of this crazy family, getting to be a part of such a fun group everyday all working together and united in a common passion and goal.
Lesle on Megan: ”Everyday Megan has worked hard to give us her best to help make our team it's best. She has embraced a leadership role and even though at times uncomfortable in that position, she has grown into someone who teammates admire and follow.”
Brendan on Megan: “On Megan's worst day, she is still finding more balance in her life than I am on my best day. She is the epitome of student-athlete. Yet she has time to binge watch just about any TV show, how?! I am not sure how she does it. Balance is such an important part of being a college-student and I believe that will be the legacy that Megan leaves behind. Yes, it is possible to do it all. You just need to believe and have self-motivation.”
