The Washington Huskies entered the 2025 preseason with a clear message from the Big Ten coaches: they are projected to finish third in the conference poll, a placement that reflects both respect for their recent dominance and the competitive depth of the league.
That projection comes on the heels of a historic run last season, when the Huskies captured their first Big Ten tournament title in 25 years and completed an unbeaten stretch of ten conference games, the longest such streak in program history. Their perfect league run not only secured the regular‑season crown but also marked the first time since 2013 that a Big Ten team claimed both the regular‑season and tournament championships outright.
Looking ahead
Building on that momentum, Washington pushed through to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight, dispatching Montana, fourth‑seeded Arkansas and seventh‑seeded Virginia en route to the later rounds. The team’s next test will be an exhibition on August 5 at 3:00 p.m. PT against British Columbia, a match that will be free to attend, followed by the regular‑season opener on August 12 at 7:00 p.m. PT versus Portland at Husky Soccer Stadium.
Key contributors are already drawing attention. Alex Buck leads the squad in points, goals and assists, while Tanner Ijams set a program single‑season record with 11 solo clean sheets and posted a 0.67 goals‑against average. Lucy Newlin anchored the defense, logging a league‑best 2,168 minutes played and starting every game over four seasons.
Fans can follow the journey through the Go Huskies app and stay updated on TopDrawerSoccer and United Soccer Coaches, platforms that provide deeper statistical analysis and scouting reports.
With the preseason poll positioning them as contenders, the Huskies aim to translate early promise into another championship run. The blend of veteran leadership and emerging talent suggests the program is well‑positioned to defend its recent successes.