FARMINGTON, Utah (Oct. 16, 2024) – Only two weeks remain in the Big Sky Soccer regular season and the race to Missoula is on as teams battle to clinch their spot.
Big Sky Soccer Weekly Notes (Week 10)
Big Sky Weekly Honors Announced
Co-Offensive Player of the Week: Alyssa Peters, Idaho (D, Gr., Bremerton, Wash.)
Idaho's
Alyssa Peters scored or assisted on all four goals by the Vandals this past week, tallying one goal and three assists. With her 28th career assist on Sunday, she became the all-time career assists leader in Big Sky history. In 15 games played this season, Peters ranks first among Big Sky players in assists with a total of nine - the next closest conference player has four. In five conference matches, Peters is ranked first in the Big Sky in points (10) and assists (6).
Co-Offensive Player of the Week: Jen Estes, Montana (F, Gr., Kirkland, Wash.)
Jen Estes scored two goals, with both coming in the 2-1 win over Idaho, as the Grizzlies had another undefeated week. Estes now has the second-highest goal total in the Big Sky (6) and has matched her scoring production at Princeton, when she had six goals and six assists in 49 matches over three seasons. The weekly honor is the second on the season for Estes.
Defensive Player of the Week: Eden Millan, Portland State (GK, Gr., Redondo Beach, Calif.)
Portland State's
Eden Millan recorded her second consecutive shutout in Big Sky play last week, leading the Vikings to a 1-0 victory over Northern Colorado. The fifth-year senior goalkeeper recorded 10 saves during the match, on xx shots faced. The Redondo Beach native has excelled in her last three appearances, allowing just one goal in 270 minutes of action against Big Sky opponents, helping PSU to a 1-0-2 record during that stretch. The only goal scored against her in that timeframe came in the second minute against Weber State on October 4, meaning she has kept opponents scoreless for an impressive 267 consecutive minutes.
Montana's 2024 Roster Features Stacked Lineup
Montana, who is the defending regular-season champion and the 2024 preseason favorite, will have an impressive lineup for the 2024 season. The Grizzlies won five of the seven individual awards last season, with four of those winners returning for the 2024 season. The returners include: 2023 Big Sky Offensive MVP Skyleigh Thompson, 2023 Big Sky Freshman of the Year Ashlyn Dvorak, 2023 Big Sky Golden Boot Award recipient Delaney Lou Schorr and 2023 Big Sky Coach of the Year Chris Citowicki.
Big Sky Players Record Books
All eyes are on Idaho defender, Alyssa Peters and Northern Arizona keeper Trinity Corcoran as they look to climb the record books in the 2024 campaign.
Big Sky Career Assist Leaders
Rk: Name, School (Years) - Assist Total
1: Alyssa Peters, UI (2020-pres.) - 28
2: Chansi Crompton, WSU (2012-13, 15-18) - 27
3: Annamarie Hofstetter, ISU (2006-09) - 25
4: Brenna Boies, NAU (2007-10) - 23
5: Katie McCoy, SAC (2004-07) - 22
T6: Maddie Roberts, UNC (2015-18) - 21
T6: Chloe Williams, EWU (2014-17) - 21
T6: Sam Monahan, NAU (2008-11) - 21
9: Rochelle Hoover, WSU(2002-05) - 20
T10:
Jodi Campbell, UM (1997-00) - 19
T10: Karen Hardy, UM (1997-98) - 19
Big Sky Career Shutout Leaders
Rk: Name, School (Years) - Shutout Total
1: Savannah Abercrombie, SAC (2008-11) - 29
2: Claire Howard, UM (2017-2020) - 26
3: Kailey Norman, UM (2013-16) - 24
T4: Rebecca Ritchie, WSU (2006-09) - 21
T4: Tori Rocke, NAU (2008-10) - 21
6: Kira Witte, UI (2022-23) - 20
7: Meagan Thunell, WSU (1998-01) - 19.5
T8:
Trinity Corcoran, Northern Arizona (2021-pres) - 19
T8: Camellia Xu, UM (2021-22) - 19
T8: Madeline Burdick, UNC (2014-17) - 19
T8: Lauren Weaver, NAU (2010-13) - 19
T12: Caitlin Plese, PSU (2011-14) - 17
T12: Cris Lewis, PSU (2006-09) - 17
Montana Picked as Preseason Favorites
The Grizzlies earned the top spot in the preseason poll after receiving five first place votes from the league's head coaches. Montana is looking to defend their regular season crown a season ago after finishing the 2023 season with a 13-3-3 record, surrenduring just three goals in conference play.
2024 Big Sky Soccer Preseason Coaches’ Poll
1. Montana (5) – 56
2. Northern Arizona (1) – 51
3. Idaho (2) – 47
4. Portland State – 37
5. Sacramento State – 36
6. Weber State – 31
7. Idaho State – 23
8. Eastern Washington – 22
9. Northern Colorado (1) – 21
(First-Place Votes)
Idaho Seeks to Repeat as Tournament Champions in 2024
Idaho, who earned its first NCAA berth in school history last season after winning the Big Sky Championship, will look to defend its title this year as the Vandals set their sights on another tourney crown. Since the Big Sky Championship began in 1997, there have only been six teams to win back-to-back tournament titles.
Missoula Tabbed as Host City for 2024 Season
The 2024 Big Sky Conference Soccer Championship will be held at the South Campus Stadium in Missoula, Montana on Nov. 6, 8, 10. The top-six teams in the conference standings after the conclusion of the regular season will comprise the championship field.
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2024 Big Sky Soccer Schedule (Week 9)
Thursday, Oct. 17
Eastern Washington at Idaho State // 2:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Friday, Oct. 18
Montana at Sacramento State // 2:00 p.m. PT (ESPN+)
Weber State at Idaho // 6:00 p.m. PT (ESPN+)
Portland State at Northern Arizona // 6:00 MST (ESPN+)
Sunday, Oct. 20
Portland State at Montana // 12:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Idaho State at Idaho // 12:00 p.m. PT (ESPN+)
Weber State at Eastern Washington // 1:00 p.m. PT (ESPN+)
Sacramento State at Northern Arizona // 1:00 p.m. MST (ESPN+)