Mia Hamant, the best goalkeeper for the University of Washington women’s soccer team, died at the age of 21. She passed away after a brave fight with Stage 4 SMARCB1-deficient kidney cancer, a rare and aggressive form of the disease. On November 6, 2025, the university announced her death, which shocked the college sports world and beyond.
Hamant, who is from Corte Madera, California, was a key player for Washington in 2024. She helped the Huskies reach the semifinals of the Big Ten tournament. Her amazing performance included three key saves in a penalty shootout win over Iowa. This solidified her place as one of the program’s best goalkeepers. With a goals against average of 0.66, she had the third-lowest single-season average in program history. She was named to the Big Ten All-Tournament Team and the CSC Academic All-District Team.
In April 2025, Hamant was diagnosed with cancer. She bravely stepped away from her senior season to start chemotherapy. However, she kept supporting her teammates and inspiring the Husky community with her strength and positivity. Her bravery and spirit moved everyone around her. She won the 2025 Big Ten Sportsmanship Award and heartfelt tributes from coaches, teammates, and fans.
Nicole Van Dyke, the head coach at Washington, said that Hamant was “the heart of our program—someone who brought joy, courage, and kindness to everyone around her.” Pat Chun, the athletic director, said that her legacy of hard work, grace, and dedication will always inspire the UW family.
There have been a lot of tributes on social media. The university plans to share more information about a memorial or celebration of life in the next few days. Her parents are still alive.
