Washington Huskies
Overall Rank: #44
#7 Pac-12
Washington Team Page
The Washington Huskies were a tough side to figure out in 2013. They were strong defensively and grinded out a result on the road at defending national champion UCLA. However, they just could not find a way to generate enough consistency within the attack to be an NCAA tournament caliber team last season. The ability to reload and improve things within the attack will be the difference in whether or not Washington returns to the NCAA Tournament in 2014.
2013 Record: 7-9-4, 3-4-3
2013 Postseason: None
Coach: Lesle Gallimore
Returning Leaders:
Goals: Kate Bennett, Senior, M, 4
Assists: 4 tied with 1
Shots: Kate Bennett, Senior, M, 42
Saves: Megan Kufeld, Junior, GK, 88
Other Key Returnees: F Jaclyn Softli, M Christina Archer, D McKenzie Karas, D Allyson Brahs, D Havana McElvaine
Key Losses: F Allie Beahan, M Lindsay Elston, M Isabel Farrell, D Lindsey Bos, D Molly Boyd
Strengths:
The backline should be a strength right off the bat as Washington only conceded 17 goals in all of 2013. Havana McElvaine leads an experienced backline that returns this fall. The Huskies were competitive on the road in 2013 as they went 1-0-4. The ability to defend well should keep Washington in pretty much every game this fall.
Weaknesses:
The attack was not good enough last season as the Huskies could only generate 16 goals in all of 2013. Redshirt senior midfielder Kate Bennett returns this fall. Bennett scored four goals in 2013 and will need to carry things in the attack in 2014. Also, the inability to defend their home turf hurt Washington a great deal in 2013 as they went just 4-7-0. A repeat performance of that in 2014 can’t happen for this Huskies side.
Final Projection:
The season will start fast for Washington as a very skilled Kentucky side comes to Seattle. The match with the Wildcats will be a good test to see how improved the Husky attack is. Wisconsin visits on September 5th in what will be a great resume building win for NCAA Tournament purposes. The key to the conference slate will be the opening road trip to Stanford and California in early October. The ability to at least get one result will be a huge confidence boost for the Huskies. Overall, Washington should be able to generate just enough improvement offensively to have a winning record and return to the NCAA Tournament.
Projected Postseason: NCAA Tournament
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 0.80 (285th in nation, 10th in conference)
Goals-Against Average: 0.804 (45, 5)
Shutout Percentage: 0.400 (73, 5)
Save Percentage: 0.841 (25, 3)
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