SEATTLE (AP) — Mia Hamant, a goalkeeper for Washington's women’s soccer team who helped the Huskies reach the semifinals of the Big Ten tournament as a junior, has died. She was 21.
Hamant died Thursday following a bout with kidney cancer, the university said.
Hamant was one of the Big Ten’s best goalkeepers in 2024. She posted the third-lowest single-season goals against average in program-history at 0.66. Hamant sat out her senior season due to her cancer diagnosis.
“Mia was the heart of our program — someone who lifted up everyone around her with her joy, courage, and kindness,” women’s soccer coach Nicole Van Dyke said in a statement. “Even in the most difficult moments, she showed an unshakable spirit that inspired her teammates and coaches every single day. Mia made us all better people, and her impact will be felt in this program and in all of our lives forever.”
In April, Hamant was diagnosed with Stage 4 kidney cancer, and stepped away from the team to begin chemotherapy treatment. She received support across the Washington athletic department, including from Huskies wide receiver Denzel Boston after their 42-25 victory over No. 23 Illinois on Oct. 25.
Hamant attended the game, and sounded the siren at Husky Stadium two weeks before her death.
“Mia Hamant on our soccer team is going through tough, tough struggles with cancer” Boston said after the game. “We’re just trying to be there to support her.”
The Big Ten honored the Corte Madera, California, native, with the 2025 Sportsmanship Award earlier this week.
“The University of Washington grieves the heartbreaking loss of Mia Hamant, whose strength, kindness, and spirit touched everyone around her,” athletic director Pat Chun said in a statement. “Mia embodied everything we hope for in a Husky student-athlete — perseverance, grace, and an unwavering commitment to her teammates and community. Her remarkable courage through adversity and the legacy she leaves behind will forever inspire the UW family.”
Hamant is survived by her parents.
AP college sports: https://apnews.com/hub/college-sports
Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Please purchase a Premium Subscription to continue reading.
To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account.
We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription.
A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means you’re helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much!
Only subscribers can view and post comments on articles.
Already a subscriber? Login Here
Join us to meet Simi Monheit, the author of The Goldie Standard, and the 2024 Winner of the … Read moreMeet the Award-Winning Author of The Goldie Standard
All SMUHSD, staff, parents, and community members are invited to a panel discussion on dam r… Read moreWater is Life: Victories and Challenges in Water Equity in an Age of Climate Change
Mike Caggiano said:
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
Error! There was an error processing your request.
Sorry, an error occurred.
Already Subscribed!
Cancel anytime
Thank you .
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.
No promotional rates found.
Secure & Encrypted
Thank you.
Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
| Rate: | |
| Begins: | |
| Transaction ID: |
A receipt was sent to your email.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.