Huskies Take Big Step Forward During 2024 Womenβs Soccer Season
December 20, 2024 | Women's Soccer
SEATTLE β Competing in its first season in the Big Ten Conference, Washington women's soccer made big waves in unchartered territory in 2024. GoHuskies.com takes a look back at a season filled with marquee wins, record breaking performances, playoff success and more.
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DAWGS GO DANCING
For the first time since the 2020-21 season, Washington earned an NCAA Tournament bid, the 17th in program-history. Once in the field, the Huskies did damage. UW went on the road during the first round to No. 25 Utah State and advanced over the Aggies, ending the season of a USU team that lost just one game all season, the fewest in the nation. Washington then headed south to Starkville, Mississippi, giving No. 2 Mississippi State all it could handle before bowing out 1-0.
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TOURNEY TESTED
Posting a 7-4-0 conference record, Washington tied for fifth in the Big Ten table in their first season in the league. The record earned the Dawgs a first round bye in the Big Ten Tournament. Playing in the program's first-ever conference tournament, UW moved past No. 17 Iowa in the Quarterfinal round behind three penalty shootout saves from keeper Mia Hamant. UW's tournament run ended in the Semifinals, falling to eventual champion No. 8 UCLA at CITYPARK in St. Louis.
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HUSKY NATION DELIVERS
Whether playing within the comfy confines of Husky Soccer Stadium or on the road in enemy territory, Washington consistently felt the support of its beloved and dedicated fan base all season long. Washington ranked 15th in the nation in average attendance at 1,262, fourth highest in the Big Ten. A total of 12,616 Dawg fans visited the Huskies' home ground in 2024, ranking 20th nationally.
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BRICK-BY-BRICK
Washington's defense put forth a historically stingy season, tying the program records for most clean sheets with 11 and fewest goals allowed in a season with 12. Washington allowed just six goals over 11 Big Ten matches, tied for the second fewest in the conference during league play.
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B1G DAWGS
Washington landed two All-Big Ten honorees during its first season in the conference in leading goal scorer Ioanna Papatheodorou and top defender Kolo Suliafu. Papatheodorou earned a First Team spot after bagging eight goals, including five match winners. Meanwhile, Suliafu was named to the Second Team as the linchpin for a record-setting Husky defense. The pair would go on to receive United Soccer Coaches All-North Region plaudits. Additionally, junior Lucy Newlin was UW's selection for the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award.
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THEY'RE KEEPERS
Washington boasted not one but two of the nation's premier players between the pipes in junior Mia Hamant and senior Olivia Juarez. Hamant, who served as UW's primary starter for most of the season, ranked third in the nation with a .882 save percentage, while ranking third in program history with a 0.66 goals against average. Meanwhile, Juarez, a team captain, stepped up whenever called upon to tremendous effect allowing just two goals over seven appearances. Juarez wrapped up her lauded career setting program records for career (0.89) and single season (0.32) goals against average.
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MONTLAKE MAGIC
As has been the case in many previous seasons, Husky Soccer Stadium proved to be a fortress for the Dawgs in 2024. After a pair of draws to open the season, Husky fans saw Washington post a 7-1-0 record at home the rest of the way, allowing just four goals in Seattle the entire season. Highlighting the home schedule was a 2-1 comeback victory over No. 5 Michigan State as Ioanna Papatheodorou buried a dazzling long-range free kick in the waning minutes to lift UW to a marquee victory. Washington capped the regular season with a 3-0 Senior Day victory over rival Oregon.
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SMART COOKIES
Washington players excelled not only on the pitch but also in the classroom in 2024. The Huskies placed 21 student-athletes on the Fall Academic All-Big Ten Team. Additionally, Washington received the United Soccer Coaches Academic Award for the ninth straight season after earning a 3.67 team GPA. Six Huskies, Mia Hamant, Jace Holmes, Maya Loudd, Ioanna Papatheodorou, Samiah Shell and Kolo Suliafu received College Sports Communictors Academic All-District laurels, while Papatheodorou and Suliafu were named United soccer Coaches Scholar All-West Region. Papatheodorou also became the first Husky since 2014 to earned Scholar All-America laurels, landing on the Second Team.
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POLL POSITION
Washington earned a pair of national rankings during the 2024 season, coming in at No. 24 in Week 9 and No. 22 in Week 12 via TopDrawerSoccer.com. It was the first time the Huskies had earned a national ranking since the 2022 season. Washington also received votes in the final United Soccer Coaches poll of the season.
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For more information on the UW women's soccer team, follow @UW_WSoccer on Twitter and Instagram.
Β
DAWGS GO DANCING
For the first time since the 2020-21 season, Washington earned an NCAA Tournament bid, the 17th in program-history. Once in the field, the Huskies did damage. UW went on the road during the first round to No. 25 Utah State and advanced over the Aggies, ending the season of a USU team that lost just one game all season, the fewest in the nation. Washington then headed south to Starkville, Mississippi, giving No. 2 Mississippi State all it could handle before bowing out 1-0.
Β
TOURNEY TESTED
Posting a 7-4-0 conference record, Washington tied for fifth in the Big Ten table in their first season in the league. The record earned the Dawgs a first round bye in the Big Ten Tournament. Playing in the program's first-ever conference tournament, UW moved past No. 17 Iowa in the Quarterfinal round behind three penalty shootout saves from keeper Mia Hamant. UW's tournament run ended in the Semifinals, falling to eventual champion No. 8 UCLA at CITYPARK in St. Louis.
Β
HUSKY NATION DELIVERS
Whether playing within the comfy confines of Husky Soccer Stadium or on the road in enemy territory, Washington consistently felt the support of its beloved and dedicated fan base all season long. Washington ranked 15th in the nation in average attendance at 1,262, fourth highest in the Big Ten. A total of 12,616 Dawg fans visited the Huskies' home ground in 2024, ranking 20th nationally.
Β
BRICK-BY-BRICK
Washington's defense put forth a historically stingy season, tying the program records for most clean sheets with 11 and fewest goals allowed in a season with 12. Washington allowed just six goals over 11 Big Ten matches, tied for the second fewest in the conference during league play.
Β
B1G DAWGS
Washington landed two All-Big Ten honorees during its first season in the conference in leading goal scorer Ioanna Papatheodorou and top defender Kolo Suliafu. Papatheodorou earned a First Team spot after bagging eight goals, including five match winners. Meanwhile, Suliafu was named to the Second Team as the linchpin for a record-setting Husky defense. The pair would go on to receive United Soccer Coaches All-North Region plaudits. Additionally, junior Lucy Newlin was UW's selection for the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award.
Β
THEY'RE KEEPERS
Washington boasted not one but two of the nation's premier players between the pipes in junior Mia Hamant and senior Olivia Juarez. Hamant, who served as UW's primary starter for most of the season, ranked third in the nation with a .882 save percentage, while ranking third in program history with a 0.66 goals against average. Meanwhile, Juarez, a team captain, stepped up whenever called upon to tremendous effect allowing just two goals over seven appearances. Juarez wrapped up her lauded career setting program records for career (0.89) and single season (0.32) goals against average.
Β
MONTLAKE MAGIC
As has been the case in many previous seasons, Husky Soccer Stadium proved to be a fortress for the Dawgs in 2024. After a pair of draws to open the season, Husky fans saw Washington post a 7-1-0 record at home the rest of the way, allowing just four goals in Seattle the entire season. Highlighting the home schedule was a 2-1 comeback victory over No. 5 Michigan State as Ioanna Papatheodorou buried a dazzling long-range free kick in the waning minutes to lift UW to a marquee victory. Washington capped the regular season with a 3-0 Senior Day victory over rival Oregon.
Β
SMART COOKIES
Washington players excelled not only on the pitch but also in the classroom in 2024. The Huskies placed 21 student-athletes on the Fall Academic All-Big Ten Team. Additionally, Washington received the United Soccer Coaches Academic Award for the ninth straight season after earning a 3.67 team GPA. Six Huskies, Mia Hamant, Jace Holmes, Maya Loudd, Ioanna Papatheodorou, Samiah Shell and Kolo Suliafu received College Sports Communictors Academic All-District laurels, while Papatheodorou and Suliafu were named United soccer Coaches Scholar All-West Region. Papatheodorou also became the first Husky since 2014 to earned Scholar All-America laurels, landing on the Second Team.
Β
POLL POSITION
Washington earned a pair of national rankings during the 2024 season, coming in at No. 24 in Week 9 and No. 22 in Week 12 via TopDrawerSoccer.com. It was the first time the Huskies had earned a national ranking since the 2022 season. Washington also received votes in the final United Soccer Coaches poll of the season.
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For more information on the UW women's soccer team, follow @UW_WSoccer on Twitter and Instagram.
Players Mentioned
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