FARMINGTON, Utah (Oct. 1, 2025) – October soccer is here as teams around the league battle against other Big Sky schools in hopes of hoisting a trophy at the end of the month.
Big Sky Soccer Weekly Notes (Week 8)
Big Sky Weekly Honors Announced
Co-Offensive Player of the Week: Avery Ott, Northern Arizona (M, Sr., Centennial, Colo.)
Ott delivered her second multi-goal match of the season as she registered a brace in NAU's 2-1 win over the Griz. The senior is second on the team in scoring with five goals, with one assist for 11 points. She ranks fifth in the conference in goals and points, and third in shots (38).
The Lumberjacks went 1-0-1 on the week, recording a 2-1 win over preseason-favorite Montana on Friday before drawing Sacramento State on the road, 1-1, on Sunday to begin Big Sky play.
Co-Offensive Player of the Week: Lily Blum, Weber State (F, Jr., Salt Lake City, UT.)
The Salt Lake City, Utah started off hot in conference play, scoring both Weber State goals in the 2-1 victory over Eastern Washington on Thursday.
They were Blum's 2nd and 3rd goals of the season and moved her career total to 8 goals, with 4 of them being game-winners.
Defensive Player of the Week: Dalen Lau, Sacramento State (D, Jr., Honolulu, HI.)
Spearheaded a defense that limited Northern Colorado to just four shots on goal and gave up only two second half attempts against Northern Arizona in a 1-1 draw. Marked the Bears' leading scorer Lexi Tuite to the tune of just two shot attempts in a 1-0 Hornet road victory. Did not allow NAU a goal during the run of play, allowing just a goal on a PK in the second half of a 1-1 draw. Also helped Sacramento State successfully defend 15 corners – 10 of those in the match at UNC alone.
Others Nominated for Big Sky Soccer Player of the Week
Offense: Chloe Pattison (EWU), Reagan Brisendine (UM), Tea Reyes (SAC)
Defense: Kamryn Willoughby (EWU), Taryn Rea (UNC), Isabella Sackett (WSU)
Week 7 Highlights
From here on out, Big Sky soccer squads will close out the regular season with inter-conference matchups. Weber State was the lone team to make it out of opening week of conference play with a 2-0 record. The Wildcats sit atop of the standings with an 8-4 overall record.
The Lumberjacks headlined the weekend, taking down reigning regular season champions Montana, in Flagstaff on Friday. Northern Arizona went on to complete the unbeaten weekend recording a tie with Sacramento State on Sunday.
Montana Named Preseason Favorites
The Grizzlies earned the top spot in the preseason poll after receiving six first place votes from the league's head coaches. Montana is looking to make it three-straight regular season crowns after finishing the 2024 season with a 12-2-5 record, surrendering just two goals in conference play.
2025 Big Sky Soccer Coaches’ Poll Results
1. Montana (6) - 60
2. Eastern Washington (2) - 52
3. Idaho - 49
T4. Northern Arizona - 39
T4. Sacramento State (1) - 39
6. Weber State - 27
7. Northern Colorado - 26
8. Portland State - 22
9. Idaho State - 10
*() Indicates first place vote
Pattison Headlines Inaugural Preseason All-Conference Team
Eastern Washington's Chloe Pattison headlines the preseason All-Conference Team, earning preseason MVP honors. Pattison led the league a season ago in points (25) and goals (11). The Co-Offensive MVP from last season scored a goal in five consecutive matches, including a pair of multi-goal games in that stretch.
The Grizzlies have four members on the Preseason All-Conference Team, the most of any other school. Bayliss Flynn and Ally Henrikson are two of those members who played a crucial role in Montana's record setting-defensive efforts last season. The Grizzlies posted 12 shutouts and allowed just nine goals a season ago. Montana led the NCAA in save percentage (.903).
Idaho, Portland State and Sacramento State all have two members each earning preseason honors.
2025 Big Sky Soccer Preseason All-Conference Team
FWD: Chloe Pattison, EWU (Preseason MVP)
FWD: Micala Boex, NAU
FWD: Aliayha Saldana, PSU
MID: Annika Farley, UI
MID: Chloe Seelhoff, UM
MID: Maddie Ditta, UM
MID: Ellie Farber, SAC
DEF: Izzy Thoma, UI
DEF: Ally Henrikson, UM
DEF: Liv Frazier, PSU
DEF: Sydney Sharts, SAC
GK: Bayliss Flynn, UM
Sacramento State Seeks to Repeat as Tournament Champions in 2025
Sacramento State, 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 Hornets 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 2025 Big Sky Tournament
The 2025 Big Sky Conference Soccer Championship will be held at the South Campus Stadium in Missoula, Montana on Nov. 5, 7, 9. The top-six teams in the conference standings after the conclusion of the regular season will comprise the championship field.
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2025 Big Sky Soccer Schedule (Week 8)
Thursday, Oct. 2
Montana at Eastern Washington // 4:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Idaho at Sacramento State // 4:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Portland State at Weber State // 7:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Sunday, Oct. 5
Portland State at Idaho State // 12:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Northern Colorado at Northern Arizona // 2:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Montana at Idaho // 2:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Eastern Washington at Sacramento State // 2:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Follow the Big Sky Conference (@BigSkyConf) on X, Facebook, Instagram, Blue Sky, YouTube and TikTok for all the latest news around the league and use the hashtag #ExperienceElevated to stay connected.