FARMINGTON, Utah (Nov. 5, 2024) – The 2024 Big Sky Conference Women’s Soccer Individual Awards and All-Conference Teams have been announced, highlighting the best and brightest stars across the league.
These awards are voted on by the league’s head coaches. Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own players in the process.
Montana led the way with a trio of individual awards and seven members on the All-Conference team. Jen Estes powered the Grizzlies with Co-Offensive MVP and Newcomer of the Year honors, while earning a spot on the All-Conference First Team in her first season with Montana. Fellow Grizzly Bayliss Flynn earned Goalkeeper of the Year and All-Conference First Team honors as well.
Idaho was not far behind Montana with eight members on the All-Conference teams. Defensive MVP, Alyssa Peters was a staple for the Vandals both offensively and defensively as she now holds the league's all-time assist record.
After missing the Big Sky Championship a season ago, Eastern Washington was led by Coach of the Year Missy Strasburg, who played a vital role in the Eagles securing a three seed in the upcoming tournament. Co-Offensive MVP Chloe Pattison was a crucial part in the team's success, recording a conference-high 25 points this year.
Portland State's Aliayha Saldana was able to secure the Freshman of the Year award after a steller first campaign. The Viking played and started in all 16 games, scoring two goals and recording an assist.
The full list of postseason honors can be found below.
2024 Big Sky Individual Award Winners
Co-Offensive MVP: Chloe Pattison, Eastern Washington/Jen Estes, Montana
Defensive MVP: Alyssa Peters, Idaho
Goalkeeper of the Year: Bayliss Flynn, Montana
Newcomer of the Year: Jen Estes, Montana*
Freshman of the Year: Aliayha Saldana, Portland State
Coach of the Year: Missy Strasburg, Eastern Washington
* - unanimous pick
Big Sky Soccer All-Conference First Team
GK: Bayliss Flynn, Montana
D: Alyssa Peters, Idaho
D: Ava Samuelson, Montana
D: Sydney Sharts, Sacramento State
D: Liv Frazier, Portland State
D: Charley Boone, Montana
MF: Abigail Lopez, Sacramento State
MF: Kendall Moore, Eastern Washington
MF: Maddie Ditta, Montana
MF: Annika Farley, Idaho
F: Chloe Pattison, Eastern Washington
F: Jen Estes, Montana
F: Haylee Phoenix, Northern Arizona
Five defenders on the 1st team due to a tie
Big Sky Soccer All-Conference Second Team
GK: Kamryn Willoughby, Eastern Washington
D: Cassandra Herrman, Sacramento State
D: Kalo Iongi, Portland State
D: Iris Mattern, Eastern Washington
D: Riley Arribas, Eastern Washington
MF: Margo Schoesler, Idaho
MF: Joey Lujan, Northern Arizona
MF: Avery Ott, Northern Arizona
MF: Elle Frazier, Portland State
F: Chloe Seelhoff, Montana
F: Ali Swensen, Weber State
F: Aliayha Saldana, Portland State
Big Sky Soccer All-Conference Honorable Mention
GK: Trinity Hale, Idaho State
GK: Trinity Corcoran, Northern Arizona
D: Cassidy Elicker, Idaho
D: Rebekah Reyes, Idaho
D: Samantha Kearns, Weber State
MF: Hannah Alfaro-Black, Idaho
MF: Carly Whalen, Montana
MF: Lucy Quinn, Portland State
MF: Madelyn Dougherty, Sacramento State
MF: Ellie Farber, Sacramento State
F: Sammie Sofonia, Weber State
F: Karli Yoshida-Williams, Idaho
F: Delani Walker, Eastern Washington
Minimum 3 votes needed for honorable mention
2024 Championship Information
The 2024 Big Sky Soccer Championship, presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana, will be played on Nov. 6, 8, and 10 on the campus of the University of Montana in Missoula, Montana. 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.
After winning the 2023 Big Sky soccer regular-season title, the Montana Grizzlies earned the right to host the 2024 Big Sky Soccer Championship. Missoula will serve as the host city for the soccer championship for the first time since 2014 and fifth time overall since the tournament began in 1997. The host city of the soccer championship has not won the tournament since Northern Colorado won in front of its home crowd in 2019.
All matches from Missoula will stream live on ESPN+. Tickets can be purchased
here.