Dawgs Welcome Three Transfers In 2016
July 19, 2016 | Women's Soccer
SEATTLE – As the Washington women's soccer team begins preparations for the 2016 season, they welcome in three new student-athletes as transfers in striker Lauren Conley, midfielder Ava Lewis and goalkeeper Kaylyn Smith.
"We're very fortunate this year to be adding three transfer student-athletes to our team that I believe can have an immediate impact on our success," said head coach Lesle Gallimore. "Each of these players brings a different experience with them but they have the commonality of finding Washington as a better fit for their academic and soccer goals."
Lauren Conley joins Washington from Denver University where she made 17 appearances in 2015 as a sophomore, and 20 as a freshman.
"I am really excited to be a Husky," said Conley. "When I decided to play college soccer, my goal was to be a part of a program that gave me the resources to become the best athlete, student and person that I can be. I feel like being a part of the UW women's soccer team will not only give me what I need to achieve this goal but also surround me with successful young women and experienced coaches that have the same goal as me."
The Centennial, Colorado native had two assists and a goal in her first two collegiate seasons, and has played with the Colorado Rush club team.
"Lauren Conley is a player that is motivated to help the team succeed," said Gallimore. "She is best playing as a central striker and has the attitude of a goal scorer and creator. Competition in this position is always good to have as you need players in that position to play with attitude, swagger, and confidence and I think Lauren has that coupled with the talent and ability to compete and execute at this level."
The second transfer returns to her hometown of Seattle from Carleton College, where she was a standout midfielder in two seasons with the school. She was named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-North Region Team for the second consecutive season last year before competing with the Huskies this past spring season.
"I couldn't be happier with my decision to come play for Washington," said Lewis. "The team has been really welcoming and the coaches have created an environment that has already pushed me to get better. I can't wait to wear the UW jersey this fall and start winning some games."
Lewis scored 18 goals and recorded eight assists at Carleton, including 14 goals during conference play which led all players during those two seasons. She also tied for the league lead with three game-winning goals against Bethel, St. Olaf and Saint Mary's.
"Ava Lewis came to us during the spring quarter so we've been able to see her up close for a while now," said Gallimore. "Despite coming off a foot injury she was able to really step in and help a young and depleted squad this past spring find their footing a little bit at the end of the off-season. Ava is a fighter and a very gritty player and has done a good job of catching up to the speed of play at this level as it will be drastically different than what she saw at Carleton College."
With the loss of Tori Burns and Megan Kufeld to graduation, and Madi McNamara to a medical disqualification, Kaylyn Smith joins Washington to give the team much needed depth at goalkeeper. The Monument, Colorado native brings a great deal of Division I experience and postseason competition from Virginia Tech, where she started 28 career matches and recorded 98 saves.
"I am so thankful for the opportunity to join the Husky family," said Smith. "I greatly look forward to this upcoming season and seasons to come and am ecstatic to be joining such an experienced and tight-knit program."
This past season she recorded 72 saves with a .774 save percentage and finished with a 14-4-2 record. She recorded six shutouts and had a career-best 10 saves at Notre Dame. During her freshman season she recorded nine saves in the NCAA Tournament, including a shutout against Dayton in the first round.
"Smith joins red-shirt junior, Sarah Shimer and true freshmen Siena Ruelas to make for the newest group of goalkeepers our team has seen in quite some time," said Gallimore. "The three should really push each other to be the best they can be and unless you have competition in this position you always run the risk of having goalkeepers who don't improve over time and are not as game ready as they should be. It will be a fun competition in this role as Kaylyn brings high level experience and Sarah Shimer has been pushing for the starting spot here for over a year."
The Huskies begin their regular season next month when they travel to Portland on Friday August 19th for a 7 p.m. match.
