Husky trio named to players to watch list by Big Ten

SEATTLE – On Monday, the Big Ten Conference announced its women's soccer Players to Watch list. Three Husky upperclassmen featured on the preseason list in Kolo Suliafu, Samiah Shell and Laura Cetina, according to a statement by the University of Washington athletics. 

Suliafu enters her senior season well established as not only the anchor of the stingy Husky back line but one of the most feared defensive talents in both the Big Ten and nationally. 

The Southern California product earned All-Big Ten and United Soccer Coaches All-Region plaudits a season ago as the Dawgs posted arguably the greatest defensive season in program history, matching the school record with just 12 goals conceded in 21 matches. Suliafu enters the 2025 campaign with 48 starts under her belt. 

Meanwhile, Shell serves as UW's top returning scorer from last season's squad, bagging five goals in her first season as a starting XI mainstay. Quite possibly the Huskies' trickiest threat in the midfield, Shell also dished out three assists in 2024 for 13 total points. 

Entering her junior season, Shell will look to build off of last season's success and a standout showing during this summer's USL W League campaign with Salmon Bay FC as Washington looks to replace the firepower departed by leading scorer Ioanna Papatheodorou. 

Speaking of Papatheodorou, Washington once again added to its talent pool with a European transfer from UMass Lowell in Cetina. A native of A Coruña, Spain, Cetina starred for the Riverhawks for the past two seasons, making 35 starts with four goals. 

The Huskies will look for Cetina to add a different dimension to its attack, providing the creativity and flare akin to her home nation's La Liga. The fifth-year senior also brings with her a winning pedigree, guiding Eastern Florida State to its first-ever NJCAA national Championship in 2021. 

In addition to the Player to Watch list, the Big Ten also released its 2025 Preseason Coaches Poll on Monday. Returning the bulk of the roster from last season's Husky team that advanced to the Big Ten Tournament Semifinal and the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament, Washington was picked to finish 10th in the league table by the conference's head coaches. 

With the preseason in the rearview, Washington turns its attention and focus to match week preparation, hosting Oregon State on Thursday and Idaho on Sunday at Husky Soccer Stadium. 

    Husky women’s soccer players Kolo Suliafu, Samiah Shell and Laura Cetina. The trio was named to the Big Ten Conference’s Players to Watch list ahead of the upcoming season.