FARMINGTON, Utah (Oct. 22, 2025) – It all comes down to this weekend, the final weekend of the regular season, as nine teams battle to earn one of the six spots to Missoula to compete for a Big Sky Tournament title.
Big Sky Soccer Weekly Notes (Week 11)
Big Sky Weekly Honors Announced
Offensive Player of the Week: Micala Boex, Northern Arizona (F, Jr., Aurora, Colo.)
Micala tallied her seventh multi-point game of the season on Friday against Weber State with one goal, and one an assist against ISU on Sunday in two draws for NAU. The junior currently sits first in points per game in the conference (1.33), and tied for first in both total goals (seven) and assists (six).
Defensive Player of the Week: Kaya Lindberg, Northern Colorado (GK, Gr., Ranchos Palos Verdes, Calif.)
Lindberg turned in an elite two-match stretch in goal, totaling 18 saves while allowing just one score across 180 minutes of play. Her .947 save percentage and 0.50 goals-against average both rank top-three in the Big Sky, and she added a complete-game shutout to cap the week.
Lindberg’s 13-save performance is the most in a single-match by a Big Sky goalkeeper this season.
Others Nominated for Big Sky Soccer Player of the Week
Offense: Chloe Pattison (EWU), Caylee Kerr (UM), Lexi Tuite (UNC), Presley Ray (WSU)
Defense: Kamryn Willoughby (EWU), Ashlyn Dvorak (UM), Lauren Butorac (WSU)
All Eyes on Missoula
Heading into the final weekend of the 2025 regular season, all nine teams are still in contention for six spots in the postseason. Not a single seed has been locked in yet.
Montana has a chance to secure the one seed and the regular season title on Thursday with a win. The Griz are looking to three-peat the regular season crown, however, Weber State, Idaho and Portland State still have hopes at the crown.
A tie or a loss from the Griz on Thursday will postpone crowning a champion until 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 11)
Thursday, Oct. 23
Montana at Portland State // 2:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Friday, Oct. 24
Northern Arizona at Eastern Washington // 4:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Northern Colorado at Idaho // 8:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Sunday, Oct. 26
Northern Arizona at Idaho // 1:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Northern Colorado at Eastern Washington // 1:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Portland State at Sacramento State // 1:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Weber State at Idaho State // 1:00 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.