Washington women’s soccer head coach Nicole Van Dyke announced on May 12 the addition of South Dakota State defender Taylor Thomas to the Huskies’ roster through the transfer portal.
Thomas brings five years of collegiate experience, having played at Dayton, Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU), and South Dakota State. She is expected to strengthen Washington’s defense with her versatility and leadership on the field.
“Taylor is a highly experienced defender who can play centrally or out wide,” Van Dyke said. “She stood out for her drive to compete, improve and perform at the highest level. Taylor will bring a high level of enthusiasm and energy to our team. She’s tenacious, hardworking and ready to compete for championships at Washington.”
During her graduate year at South Dakota State in 2025, Thomas started all 22 matches, ranked third on the team in minutes played, and helped anchor a back line that led their league with a low goals-against average. She also contributed an assist during a win over Northern Colorado and was part of three consecutive clean sheets leading up to the Summit League Tournament Championship.
Her earlier seasons included significant roles at FGCU where she helped secure multiple clean sheets and contributed both defensively and offensively. At Dayton as a freshman, she made three appearances off the bench before redshirting her sophomore year.
Thomas has also been active in club soccer with Shattuck-St. Mary’s (Minnesota) and Salvo SC (Minnesota), serving as team captain for four years while earning academic honors such as High Honor Roll status and being elected into SSM Cum Laude Society.
In describing her decision to join Washington, Thomas said: “Washington represents everything I’ve been working toward—elite academics, a top-level soccer environment, and a clear pathway to the professional game. The commitment to development here is unmatched, but what truly separates it is the culture and the people. Being surrounded by driven individuals who hold a high standard, push each other every day, and still find joy in the process is what sets this place apart. Go Dawgs!”
The addition of Thomas reflects Washington’s ongoing efforts to build depth within its squad as it prepares for future competitions.
