Washington Huskies
Overall Rank: #36
Conference Rank: #4 Pac-12
The Washington Huskies had an up and down season in 2012. They knocked off Notre Dame 3-0 in late September to highlight a nearly flawless non-conference run. However, offensive struggles during Pac-12 play forced the Huskies into a bubble team. But they did make it to the NCAA Tournament where they dropped a tough first-round home match against Auburn. The mission for Washington in 2013 is to be consistent all year long and position the team to host an early-round postseason match once again this fall.
2012 Record: 10-8-3, 3-6-2
2012 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Lesle Gallimore
Strengths:
The Huskies, under Coach Gallimore, are always going to give you a tough, difficult battle for the full 90 minutes. The key to the Huskies in 2013 will be senior midfielder Lindsay Elston who scored 11 of the teams 29 goals in 2012. Elston is a very dynamic playmaker who can pretty much do it all out of the midfield for Washington. Elston should project to be an early draft pick in the 2014 NWSL draft. The other thing for Washington that stands out is all of the experience that returns which should allow for competition for playing time for the entire roster. This depth should help Washington battle through the grind of conference play.
Weaknesses:
The Huskies have to address maintaining possession of the ball in 2013. The opposition had more corner kicks and shots on goal than the Huskies last season. They also have to get more production offensively to help take the pressure off Elston. Teams are going to key on Elston heavily this season. Players like senior forward Allie Beahan and sophomore midfielder Isabel Farrell need to be able to get their combined goal totals into double-figures. Molly Boyd will need to anchor the backline to ease the transition for redshirt sophomore Megan Kufield to take over the number one spot at goalkeeper. In addition, the experience and leadership of seniors Annie Sittauer and Lindsey Bos will help the Huskies in their quest to be more of a lock-down unit in 2013.
Final Projection:
If the Huskies can increase their offensive production, they should be able to cruise into postseason play without relying on the NCAA Tournament selection committee. The non-conference schedule has key matchups against Wake Forest, Central Florida, and Portland. All of these matches are either at a neutral site or at home. This will help Washington a great deal in preparation for the conference slate, as the conference road venues are not overly daunting in 2013. The biggest test will be at UCLA on Sunday October 6th. The home schedule in early November is where Washington can really do some damage. Stanford, Cal, and Washington State, all probable NCAA Tournament teams, come to Seattle. This will be a huge opportunity for the Huskies to make a statement on the national stage to the selection committee. Overall, this team should be better offensively with the continued growth of players like Beahan and Farrell. Thus, the goal total should get up near 40-45 and put the Huskies in the mix for hosting an NCAA Tournament match once again.
Projected Postseason: NCAA
Returning Leaders:
Goals: Lindsay Elston, Senior, Midfield, 11
Assists: Lindsay Elston, Senior, Midfield, 5
Shots: Lindsay Elston, Senior, Midfield, 77
Saves: Megan Kufield, Redshirt Sophomore, Goalkeeper, 10
Madness 2014 NWSL Draft Rankings:
#14 Lindsay Elston
Madness 2013 Women’s Soccer Recruit Rankings:
#31 Rebecca Schoales
#79 Havana McElvaine
See All Women's Soccer Top 44 Team Previews
