Seattle Reign defeated the UW Huskies, 2-0, in their final preseason match of 2025 at Husky Soccer Stadium in front of 2,374 fans on a chilly Saturday evening in Montlake. The goals were scored by Jordyn Huitema and Olivia van der Jagt.
Laura Harvey went with a primarily first-choice lineup to start the game, with Claudia Dickey in goal; a backline of Shae Holmes, Phoebe McClernon, Jordyn Bugg and Madison Curry; Angharad James-Turner, Jess Fishlock and Ji So-yun in midfield; and Ana-Maria Crnogorčević, Nérilia Mondésir and Maddie Dahlien up top. Lynn Biyendolo did not participate in the match.
The Reign controlled the game from the opening whistle but were stymied throughout the first half as the Huskies set up in a low block and were happy to cede possession to the visitors. Dahlien once again impressed with her ability to chase down long passes and hound opponents in a high press. She had a good opportunity on goal in the 4th minute, but otherwise there wasn’t much real danger from either side as UW grew into the match and limited Reign chances as the half progressed.
Huitema entered the game to start the second half, replacing Crnogorčević. The Huskies opened up their formation some in an effort to press and possess the ball more, but the Reign were able to take advantage and put several shots on goal in the early minutes of the half, including a goal-line clearance of a Fishlock effort. The Reign’s persistence eventually paid off in the 60th minute when Huitema was first to a loose ball during a scramble in the Huskies box and slotted it home on the near side.
One minute later, UW earned their lone corner kick of the game, which led to a tricky shot that forced Dickey into a diving save. Although she was credited with 3 saves in the match, the others were routine efforts from distance that didn’t challenge the Reign shotstopper.
Soon after the goal, the Reign made some significant changes, bringing in Emily Mason for Curry; van der Jagt for James-Turner; Sam Meza for Ji; and Emeri Adames for Mondésir. The fresh legs again raised the tempo and pushed the game into the Husky half. In the 76th minute, the Reign doubled their lead on a corner kick. The initial service was cleared by the Huskies, but only as far as van der Jagt, who was alone at the top of the box and struck the ball well and true.
Immediately after the goal, nearly all of the remaining Reign starters exited the match, with Lu Barnes replacing McClernon; Hanna Glas coming on for Holmes; Ainsley McCammon replacing Fishlock; and Maddie Mercado entering for Dahlien.
After that, the match settled as the Reign worked to see the game out with careful passing and fewer aggressive forays into the attack. Trialist Sally Menti replaced Jordyn Bugg in the final minute of the game, to the applause of family and friends in the stands.
Up next for the Reign is the opening game of the 2025 NWSL regular season. Seattle hosts Gotham FC next Saturday, March 15, at 7 PM PT at Lumen Field.
MATCH SUMMARY
Seattle Reign FC 2 – UW Huskies 0
Saturday, March 8, 2025
Venue: Husky Soccer Stadium
Weather: 50 degrees, wind and drizzle
SCORING SUMMARY
SEA – Jordyn Huitema 60’
SEA – Olivia van der Jagt 76’
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
SEA – Madison Curry (caution - tactical foul) 54’
STATS
Seattle Reign – Dickey; Holmes (Glas 76’), Bugg (Menti 89’), McClernon (Barnes 76’), Curry (Mason 64’); James-Turner (van der Jagt 64’), Fishlock (McCammon 76’), Ji (Meza 64’); Dahlien (Mercado 76’), Mondésir (Adames 64’), Crnogorčević (Huitema 45’)
Total shots: 14
Shots on goal: 7
Fouls: 6
Corner kicks: 5
Saves: 3
University of Washington
Total shots: 4
Shots on goal: 3
Fouls: 4
Corner kicks: 1
Saves: 5
