FARMINGTON, Utah (August 29, 2023) – The Big Sky Conference office has announced its second round of Women’s Soccer Player of the Week honors, with Montana and Idaho splitting the offensive and defensive titles respectively.
Offensive Player of the Week: Maysa Walters, Montana
Helping her team stay undefeated with back-to-back positive results at home, Montana’s Maysa Walters has earned the nod for Big Sky Offensive Player of the Week.
Walters scored the opening goal on a penalty kick in Montana’s 2-2 home draw against Ohio State on Sunday. After the Grizzlies fell behind 2-1, she also took the second-half corner kick that resulted in an own goal that tied the match.
Additionally, she had an assist in Montana’s blowout of MSU-Billings.
The Griz are now 3-0-1 on the season and have outscored their opponents 10-3.
Others Nominated: Taylin Butterbaugh (ISU), Haylee Phoenix (NAU), Jayd Sprague (UI), Abi Hoffman (PSU)
Defensive Player of the Week: Kira Witte, Idaho
Securing a pair of clean sheets that resulted in a road sweep of Utah Tech and UNLV, Idaho’s Kira Witte has been named Defensive Player of the Week.
The results were her first two shutouts of the season.
Witte is now tied for first in Idaho history with 15 career shutouts, accomplishing it in only 21 games.
She recorded 12 saves on the weekend, one at Utah Tech and a season-high of 11 at UNLV.
The Vandals are now 3-1 on the season and have allowed just four goals to this point of the year.
Others Nominated: Kamryn Willoughby (EWU), Lydia Keller (ISU), Ashlyn Dvorak (UM), Trinity Corcoran (NAU)
Previous Winners
Week One – August 22, 2023
Offensive: Delaney Lou Schorr (UM) & Maddie Shafer (NAU)
Defensive: Molly Quarry (UM)
2023 Championship Information
The 2023 Big Sky Soccer Championships will be hosted on Nov. 1, 3, and 5 on the campus of the Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Ariz. The top six teams in the conference regular season standings advance to the championship.
The winner of the championship receives the Big Sky’s automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament.
Flagstaff will serve as the host city for the first time since 2010 when the Lumberjacks won the regular season championship. The host institution hasn’t won the postseason tournament since 2019 when Northern Colorado won on their home grass.
All matches from Flagstaff will stream live on ESPN+
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