2021 Preview: Midfielders
1/26/2021
A handful of experienced upperclassmen lead the way for a talented group in the midfield. Ameera Hussen, Olivia Van der Jagt, Jessika Cowart, Claudia Longo, and Ally Remington have combined for over 100 starts in their Husky careers. They’ll welcome freshmen Katie O’Kane and Hailey Still to a versatile group.
Cowart’s defensive prowess has cemented her as Washington’s holding midfielder as the senior enters her third straight year entrenched in the starting lineup. Last season, she started all 21 games for the Huskies and played over 1600 minutes, a new career high. Just twice all season Cowart played less than 70 minutes: in each of those games, she still played over 50, at 53 minutes and 66 minutes, respectively. Even with the defensive role, Cowart has been dangerous when joining the attack, having recorded at least one point every season of her career so far.
Another year of consistency from Hussen was a boon for the Huskies. Playing as a redshirt junior, Hussen scored two goals and added an assist for her second straight year with five points. She started 14 games for the Huskies in 2019 after starting eight the year before and has fire over 30 shots in each of the last two years. Hussen had one of the goals of the year this season as well, a curling free kick that won the game in double overtime against Arizona. Look for Hussen to bring a bit of flair to the midfield once again in 2021.
Van der Jagt has adapted to any role Washington needs of her over three seasons thus far. The Washington native has played in the central midfield, out wide, and as a forward in her time as a Husky. Last year, she once again was a fixture in the starting lineup, starting 18 games after starting 19 in 2018. She scored a goal and had two assists and now has 18 points in her career heading into 2021. Van der Jagt has been key to Washington’s possession game for years and will counted on for leadership on and off the field.
The Seattle Times Player of the Year and an All-American in 2019, Still has a strong track record as a scorer. She was the top scorer in the ECNL, WPSL, and ODP, and set school records for goals in a single game, season, and career. Three times she was named to the Seattle Times’ Star Times All-State team. In her sophomore, junior, and senior seasons, Still earned NPSL MVP in her high school league.
O’Kane joins the Huskies as a Seattle product with an athletic pedigree. She has led the ODP program in scoring in her career in the US Youth Soccer program. In high school, O’Kane helped Bishop Blanchet make the state semifinals for the first time since 1994, earning All-Metro and All-State honors in the process.
Few players embody the values of Husky Soccer like Longo. After missing all of her freshman season with injury, Longo made four appearances as a sophomore, bringing an immediate energy boost to the Huskies every time she took the field. Longo was named to the Pac-12’s Academic Honor Roll for her work in the classroom as well as earning the Wayne Gittinger Award from the Seattle Sports Council.
Remington was last seen scoring a goal for the Huskies on the road in just her second collegiate game, coming at Cal Poly. That was one of her two appearances as a freshman: against Texas, she would play seven minutes off the bench before playing 31 at Cal Poly. Remington worked more as an attacking forward that season and will transition into a midfield role for 2021.
