FARMINGTON, Utah (Aug. 21, 2024) – Big Sky soccer action resumes on Thursday as seven teams kickoff the second week of the 2024 season.
Big Sky Soccer Weekly Notes (Week 2)
Opening Weekend Highlights
Several Big Sky teams made some noise on opening weekend recording some big results. Big Sky preseason favorites, Montana, defended their home turf and notched two shutout victories in their first two games. The Griz edged Colorado College by a score of 1-0 before dominating former Pac-12 member Oregon State, 3-0, on Sunday. With these two victories, Montana has moved up to No. 2 in the West Region in the United Soccer Coaches Poll.
The Lumberjacks snapped a 22-losing streak to in-state foe Arizona State in Tempe on Friday night. After an early goal from the Sun Devils, Northern Arizona's Deniah Wells scored the game-tying goal in the final eight minutes of the game to secure the tie.
Idaho State had a successful road trip in Colorado, recording two clean sheets against Colorado State and Denver. The Bengals scored their first goal of the season in the 58th minute against the Pioneers to secure a 1-0 victory. Freshman goalkeeper Trinity Hale logged 10 saves and a pair of shutouts to begin her collegiate career.
Big Sky Weekly Honors Announced for First Week of Competition
Co-Offensive Player of the Week: Deniah Wells, Northern Arizona (F, GR., Corona, Calif.)
Northern Arizona's
Deniah Wells scored the game-winning goal for the Lumberjacks at Arizona State in Friday night's season opener. The equalizer, coming in the 82nd minute of the match, snapped a 22-year losing streak against Arizona State for the Lumberjacks.
Co-Offensive Player of the Week: Ali Swensen, Weber State (F, Jr., Salt Lake City, Utah)
Weber State's
Ali Swensen recorded both goals for the Wildcats against Utah Tech and San Diego State. Both goals came off of an assist from Sayler Schlosser, one giving the 'Cats the lead and the other tying the match.
Co-Defensive Player of the Week: Trinity Hale, Idaho State (GK, R-Fr., Murrieta, Calif.)
Redshirt freshman
Trinity Hale helped lead the Bengals to their first undefeated season-opening weekend of play since 2017 to earn weekly honors. In her first-ever collegiate action, Hale recorded two shutouts and 10 saves, while facing 37 shots over the weekend. The Bengals earned a draw with the Mountain West's Colorado State, 1-1, and defeated the Summit League's Denver, 1-0.
Co-Defensive Player of the Week: Ashlyn Dvorak, Montana (GK, R-So., Billings, Mont.)
Montana's
Ashlyn Dvorak earned five saves and a pair of shutouts in the opening weekend, as the Grizzlies downed Colorado College, 1-0, and Oregon State, 3-0. Dvorak faced 11 shots during the weekend, with four saves against the Tigers and one against the Beavers.
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.
Portland State's Abi Hoffman Returns as Top Offensive Standout
The senior midfielder looks to build off an impressive junior campaign in which she finished second in the conference in points (18) and tied for second in assists (6). The Viking led the team in shots a season ago with 48, putting 20 of them on goal.
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: Chansi Crompton, WSU (2012-13, 15-18) - 27
2: Annamarie Hofstetter, ISU (2006-09) - 25
3: Brenna Boies, NAU (2007-10) - 23
4: Katie McCoy, SAC (2004-07) - 22
T5: Maddie Roberts, UNC (2015-18) - 21
T5: Chloe Williams, EWU (2014-17) - 21
T5: Sam Monahan, NAU (2008-11) - 21
8: Rochelle Hoover, WSU(2002-05) - 20
T9: Alyssa Peters, UI (2020-pres.) - 19
T9:
Jodi Campbell, UM (1997-00) - 19
T9: 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: Camellia Xu, UM (2021-22) - 19
T8: Madeline Burdick, UNC (2014-17) - 19
T8: Lauren Weaver, NAU (2010-13) - 19
T11: Caitlin Plese, PSU (2011-14) - 17
T11: Cris Lewis, PSU (2006-09) - 17
13:
Trinity Corcoran, Northern Arizona (2021-24) - 16
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 2)
Thursday, Aug. 22
Idaho at CSUN // 12:00 p.m. PT (ESPN+)
UC Santa Barbara at Sacramento State // 1:00 p.m. PT (ESPN+)
Kansas State at Portland State // 1:00 p.m. PT (ESPN+)
Colorado State at Northern Colorado // 7:00 p.m MT (ESPN+)
Montana at Washington State // 8:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Weber State at Fresno State // 8:00 p.m. MT // MW Network
Northern Arizona at Arizona // 7:00 p.m. MST (ESPN+)
Friday, Aug. 23
Idaho State at Boise State // 7:00 p.m. MT (MW Network)
Sunday, Aug. 25
Eastern Washington at South Dakota // 11:00 a.m. PT
Weber State at CSU Bakersfield // 12:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
MSU Billings at Montana // 1:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Northern Colorado at Colorado College // 6:00 p.m. MT (MW Network)
Idaho at Washington State // 7:00 p.m. PT (ESPN+)