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Washington Goalkeeper Mia Hamant, 21, Dies of Rare Kidney Cancer

Her Washington teammates have dedicated their Big Ten titles won days later to her memory.

Overview

  • The University of Washington confirmed Hamant’s death and shared tributes from coach Nicole Van Dyke, athletic director Pat Chun, and team doctor Ashwin Rao.
  • She was diagnosed in April with stage 4 kidney cancer reported as SMARCB1-deficient, a rare and aggressive form with very few documented cases since the mid-1990s.
  • Hamant paused her playing career and underwent months of chemotherapy while remaining with and supporting the Huskies.
  • In 2024 she posted a 0.66 goals-against average, saved penalties to help reach the conference-tournament semifinals, and was named to the Big Ten All-Tournament Team.
  • Within days of her death, Washington won its first Big Ten regular-season title since 2000 and then the conference tournament on penalties over Michigan State, qualifying for the College Cup and vowing to compete in her honor.