WSOC: 2018 Season Review

A Look Back At The Huskies' 2018 Campaign // 11.06.18

By Washington Huskies

November 6^th, 2018

A young Husky squad earned their place at Washington this year, winning eight games and scoring six more goals than in 2017. The Huskies played ten one-goal games on the year and shutout five different opponents. Eleven Huskies scored at least one goal on the year, including seven that had multiple goals.

"Despite adversity [including seven injuries within the first four games], we saw a lot of positive growth in our team. We proved to be a team that defended well as a unit fairly consistently... we felt confident that we always gave ourselves a chance to win games.

Our team was able to build and create chances at a pretty sophisticated level, but where we still need to grow is in our focus and relentlessness to finish those opportunities. We were rarely outgunned... if we bring a winning and hard-working mentality moving forward we'll see great things." - Lesle Gallimore

"Our style and brand of soccer was enjoyable to watch most days... winning our two Oregon games was great because our fans deserve to see winning soccer when we play at home and our 5-0 win over crosstown rival and WAC champs Seattle U showed that we do have the ability to finish and to create some highlight reel-type goals as well as gritty, hard-working goals." - Lesle Gallimore

The Huskies scored their most goals since 2015, led by Olivia Van der Jagt's six. The sophomore had a five-game point streak, the third-longest in Washington history and longest since 2008. Summer Yates, Pascale Dumesnil, and Kaylene Pang all reached career highs, with three goals each on the season.

For Yates and Pang, those goals were the first of their career. Pang also scored a brace against Cal despite playing central defender, the only brace of the season for Washington.

Sianna Siemonsma, Ameera Hussen, and Ruby Hellstrom all chipped in offensively as well, with two goals each for that trio. Hellstrom and Hussen were just a couple of the seven Huskies to score their first career goals this season.

"I'm excited to keep putting these players under a lot of pressure to improve. Winning consistently is difficult, and that is where champions find the fun in sport. We are going to work relentlessly on details and continue to create positive habits for our players. The long haul for 2019 started for us the minute 2018 ended." - Lesle Gallimore

"I have so much gratitude for our fans and supporters. The unwavering support they show no matter the circumstance is an inspiration to our players and staff. They are beaming when we’re successful and encouraging when we fail. There’s nothing more we can ask from them than to continue to be in our corner.

"The UW community at large reminds me every day how fortunate I am to be in a place where the mission of the university, the athletic department, and the people surrounding us all value the things in higher education that are important, and who recognize that our student-athletes are a vital and important part of that community." - Lesle Gallimore

Defensively, the Huskies had an experienced back line playing in front of new starter Siena Ruelas in net. Ruelas recorded five shutouts in her first year as a starter. She was named the Pac-12 Goalkeeper of the Week after making seven saves in her first career start and made five or more saves six times.

Taylor Sekyra and Lisa Jensen remained stalwarts on defense for Washington, starting every game. Kaylene Pang also started every game for the Huskies, playing every minute of the season. Newcomer Laura Roberts shined as an outside back, starting the season's final 16 games. That group of four chipped in nine points while helping the Huskies hold opponents to one or fewer goals ten times.

"I’m extremely proud to coach a group of intelligent and strong women from diverse backgrounds. Women who buy in to working towards a common goal, but who know that there is much more work to be done. I want them to embrace the successes that they’ve had but to equally embrace the opportunity to learn through failure. We are committed to getting back to the NCAA tournament and so back to work we go to represent the jersey, our department, our fans, and our University with integrity and at a level deserving of this world class institution." - Lesle Gallimore