Washington Huskies
Overall Rank: #3
#2 Pac-12
Washington Team Page
Washington turned the corner in 2013. They went from a consistent NCAA Tournament team to a squad that looked like they could win the whole thing. The Huskies had an absolutely amazing regular season. It was not until October 21st when UW suffered their first defeat, a 2-1 loss at UCLA. Washington earned the #2 overall seed and reached the quarterfinals for the first time in school history, beating Seattle and Stanford before falling 1-0 to New Mexico. Now the question is whether or not this team can build off of that success and continue to be one of the best in the country…or will they go back to their old ways of getting to the NCAA Tournament, but losing right away once there.
2013 Record: 17-2-4, 7-1-2
2013 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Jamie Clark
Returning Leaders:
Goals: Cristian Roldan, Sophomore, M, 7; Darwin Jones, Senior, F, 7
Assists: James Moberg, Junior, M, 9
Shots: Darwin Jones, Senior, F, 91
Saves: Ryan Herman, Junior, GK, 49
Other Key Returnees: F Josh Heard, F Mason Robertson, M/D Andy Thoma, D/M Michael Gallagher, D Justin Schmidt, GK Spencer Richey
Key Losses: D Michael Harris, D Taylor Peay, M Brad Jacobson
Strengths:
Coach Jamie Clark keeps increasing the win total at UW and if that is to happen again, it will be on the shoulders of one of the most potent attacks in all of college soccer. The Huskies led the Pac-12 and ranked ninth in the nation with 2.05 goals per game and just about all of those goal scorers are back. Strikers Darwin Jones, Josh Heard and Mason Robertson are back to lead the attack. Jones netted seven goals and added five assists, while Heard added five goals and five assists. Robertson only started six games, but he netted six goals and was playing great soccer by the end of the year. Not only is he a potent and efficient scorer, but Robertson is clutch. The midfield has plenty of strike power too. Cristian Roldan leads a talented midfield and scored seven goals and added five assists. James Moberg is the team’s top returning assist man with nine. Ian Lange, Michael Gallagher and freshman Henry Wingo figure to round out of the regular midfield rotation.
Weaknesses:
The major losses are on the defensive end. Taylor Peay and Michael Harris anchored a very talented back line. Those two were also quite involved in the offense. Peay scored six goals, while Harris added two goals and a team high ten assists. Andy Thoma and Justin Schmidt will have to step into leadership roles. Thoma, a left back, is an experienced senior and Schmidt is coming off of a very promising freshman campaign. Coach Clark has a tough decision to make in goal, but choosing between Spencer Richey and Ryan Herman is a decision any coach would love to have. For the most part Richey was a three-year starter heading into the 2013 campaign. He played in just four games before a broken leg ended his season. Herman stepped in for Richey and did a great job, recording eight shutouts and allowing just 16 goals.
Final Projection:
Outside of a trip to Florida Gulf Coast and South Florida, the non-conference slate is not too difficult. Of course, the toughest tests come in Pac-12 play. UCLA, Stanford and California all sport very good teams, but this Washington squad has the experience and talent to win the conference title. Yet, after reaching the quarterfinals in 2013, the next step is getting to the College Cup.
Projected Postseason: NCAA Tournament
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 2.05 (9th in nation, 1st in conference)
Goals-Against Average: 0.74 (24, 1)
Shutout Percentage: 0.45 (26, 1)
Save Percentage: 0.790 (58, 2)
Madness 2015 MLS Draft Rankings:
#5 Christian Roldan
#19 James Moberg
#24 Darwin Jones
#27 Spencer Richey
Madness 2014 Men’s Soccer Recruit Rankings:
#77 Henry Wingo
#94 Garret Jackson
#97 Justin Fiddes
See All College Sports Madness Top 44 Men's Soccer Previews
