FARMINGTON, Utah (Sept. 4, 2024) – The week four slate is a busy one with over 15 games over three days, beginning on Thursday with seven teams in action.
Big Sky Soccer Weekly Notes (Week 4)
Big Sky Weekly Honors Announced
Offensive Player of the Week: Jen Estes, Montana (F, Gr., Kirkland, Wash.)
Jen Estes scored in both games as Montana went 1-1 on the week. The forward scored Montana's lone goal in 2-1 road loss at Fresno State, while netting the game-winner in the Grizzlies' 1-0 home win over IU Indianapolis. This is Estes' first year at Montana, after four-years at Princeton.
Defensive Player of the Week: Izzy Palmatier, Sacramento State (GK, So., Folsom, Calif.)
Sacramento State's
Izzy Palmatier wrapped up a career day in net to help the Hornets to a scoreless draw against Cal Poly, finishing with a career-high 11 saves en route to her first shutout of the year. She stopped five shots in the first half and six in the second, while also helping successfully defend six Mustang corners. The performance was her second career match with 10-or-more saves, breaking her previous best of 10 set at Weber State on Oct. 13 last season. The weekly honor was the first of the season and second of Palmatier's career.
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 4)
Thursday, Sept. 5
UC Davis at Eastern Washington // 4:00 p.m. PT (ESPN+)
Sacramento State at Portland // 4:30 p.m. PT (ESPN+)
Montana at Air Force // 6:00 p.m. MT (MW Network)
UC San Diego at Idaho // 6:00 p.m. PT (ESPN+)
Pacific at Weber State // 7:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Wyoming at Northern Colorado // 7:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Utah Tech at Northern Arizona // 7:00 p.m. MST (ESPN+)
Friday, Sept. 6
Idaho State at North Dakota // 2:00 p.m. MT (Summit League Network)
Portland State at Omaha // 1:00 p.m. PT (Summit League Network)
Sunday, Sept. 8
Portland State at South Dakota // 11:00 a.m. MT (Summit League Network)
Montana at Wyoming // 12:00 p.m. MT (MW Network)
Northern Colorado at Iowa State // 12:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Idaho State at North Dakota State // 12:00 p.m. MT (Summit League Network)
Weber State at Colorado // 12:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Idaho at Boise State // 12:00 p.m. PT (MW Network)
Northern Arizona at Air Force // 12:00 MST (MW Network)
Sacramento State at Oregon // 1:00 p.m. PT (B1G+)
Hawaii at Eastern Washington // 1:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)