Northern Colorado Tops 2019 Big Sky Soccer Preseason Poll
FARMINGTON, Utah (Aug. 13, 2019) – Returning eight starters from last season’s Big Sky Championship runner-up squad, Northern Colorado has been tabbed the 2019 Big Sky Soccer Preseason Poll favorite as voted on by the league’s 10 head coaches. Coaches could not vote for their team in the poll.
Northern Colorado collected six first-place votes and totaled 76 points to top the 2019 poll.
Head coach Tim Barrera helped guide the Bears to the championship match for the second-straight season in 2018 as the No. 3 seed. Overall, Northern Colorado returns 14 letterwinners from a squad that posted a 12-8-1 record and 6-2-1 mark in conference play. Sophomore forward Lexi Pulley is the Big Sky’s top returning scorer from a freshman campaign that featured seven goals and five assists for 19 points.
Weber State, the reigning Big Sky regular season champion, was picked second in the poll with 67 points and three first-place votes. With 12 returning letterwinners including four starters, the Wildcats will be under new leadership this season as former assistant coach Meagan Thunell steps in as the interim head coach.
Montana was picked third in the poll with 58 points. The Grizzlies captured their fifth Big Sky Championship a season ago as the No. 5 seed, shutting out three of the top four seeds en route to an NCAA Tournament berth. Chris Citowicki’s squad returns 10 letterwinners and seven starters for the upcoming season.
Idaho followed closely with 54 points for fourth after finishing second in the regular season standings last season. Second-year head coach Jeremy Clevenger brings back 15 letterwinners and seven starters from his 2018 team.
Eastern Washington, a Big Sky Championship qualifier in 2018, comes in fifth in the poll with 52 points. Northern Arizona, also a tournament participant last season, was tabbed sixth with 47 points.
Sacramento State received one first-place vote while totaling 36 points for seventh as the Hornets return their entire starting 11 for 2019.
Rounding out the poll was Portland State (33), Southern Utah (15) and Idaho State (12).
The 2019 season kicks off Thursday, August 22 to begin an opening weekend of 16 matches.
The Big Sky Championship will be held Nov. 6-10 at Northern Colorado’s Jackson Stadium in Greeley. The top six teams at the end of the regular season will advance to the tournament.
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| 2019 Big Sky Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll |
| Team |
Points (First-place votes) |
| 1. Northern Colorado |
76 (6) |
| 2. Weber State |
67 (3) |
| 3. Montana |
58 |
| 4. Idaho |
54 |
| 5. Eastern Washington |
52 |
| 6. Northern Arizona |
47 |
| 7. Sacramento State |
36 (1) |
| 8. Portland State |
33 |
| 9. Southern Utah |
15 |
| 10. Idaho State |
12 |