The Washington Huskies women's soccer team will open its 2026 campaign on Wednesday night, hosting Portland at Husky Soccer Stadium in Montlake, Seattle, with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Pacific Time.
A Rivalry Steeped in History
The upcoming clash marks the 36th meeting between the two programs, a series that has seen Portland hold a 25‑5‑5 edge overall, while Washington has captured three of the last seven encounters, including a memorable victory in the 2025 postseason.
Portland arrives under the guidance of head coach Michelle French, a former All‑American defender who has steered the Pilots to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2013. French, now in her ninth season, has transformed the program’s culture, emphasizing disciplined defending and dynamic attacking play.
Washington, fresh off a historic 2025 season that delivered both the regular‑season and conference titles, enters the new campaign ranked twelfth in the United Soccer Coaches preseason poll, the highest standing for the program since 2001. The Huskies also secured the Big Ten double for the first time since 2000, a testament to a roster that blends veteran leadership with emerging talent.
Key Players and Defensive Prowess
The defensive backbone of the Huskies remains among the nation’s stingiest, having recorded 23 clean sheets over the past two seasons and ranking ninth nationally in shutouts. Returning starters such as Lucy Newlin and Avery Nguyen anchor the back line, while senior goalkeeper Tina Frimpong Ellertson, the program’s all‑time leading scorer with 99 points, will once again guard the net.
Midfield dynamo Alex Buck, a third‑year forward who earned TopDrawerSoccer Third Team Best XI honors in 2025, topped the Big Ten in points last season, and Jadyn Holdenried, a fourth‑year midfielder, contributed five match‑winning goals, tying for the team lead. Their performances, combined with a deep bench of 17 players entering their third year or beyond, position Washington as a formidable contender.
Support Staff and Academic Excellence
The program will welcome three new assistant coaches — Whitney Pitalo, Paige Brandt, and Mary Walstad — who bring fresh perspectives to a staff that has already earned the United Soccer Coaches Team Academic Award for 11 consecutive seasons, maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.50.
Broadcast partners will showcase the Huskies on the Big Ten Network three times during the regular season, including home matchups against Maryland and Rutgers, giving fans ample opportunity to follow the team’s pursuit of another Big Ten double.