FARMINGTON, Utah (Oct. 8, 2025) – The race for the regular season crown is heating up as we near the middle of October and only three week of the regular season remain.
Big Sky Soccer Weekly Notes (Week 9)
Big Sky Weekly Honors Announced
Offensive Player of the Week: Isabella Winton, Idaho State (M, Jr., Inglewood, Colo.)
Isa Winton led Idaho State to an undefeated week of play, defeating Portland State 1-0 on an 87th minute game winner to secure the win for the Bengals. This marks Winton's 1st goal of the season, and the 2nd of her career. Winton would also record 2 shots in 74 minutes of action.
The honor is Winton's first of the season and the second for the Bengals after Saydree Cook earned the nod on Sept. 23.
Defensive Player of the Week: Paula Flores, Idaho (D, R-So., Tijuana, Mex.)
Paula tallied two shutouts to run her season total to eight, matching her career season high and moving into a tie for second place in Division I. She leads the Big Sky by three shutouts this season. Flores made seven saves in the two games, including three against Sacramento State and four against Montana. She faced 25 shots in the two games.
Idaho went 1-0-1 on the weekend, scoring a 2-0 win over Sacramento State, a team who scored five goals against EWU Sunday and Montana who has only been shut out one time this season, against Baylor.
Others Nominated for Big Sky Soccer Player of the Week
Offense: Aliayha Saldana (PSU), Lexi Schroeder (SAC)
Defense: Hannah Wieler (ISU), Madisyn Marchesi (NAU), Mia Norman (UNC), Natalie Cunningham (PSU), Aryana Martinez (SAC)
Week 8 Highlights
The race for the regular season crown is heating up as we near the middle of October and only three week of the regular season remain. Sacramento State sits at the top of the standings with a 2-1-1 conference record heading into week three of Big Sky action.
Reigning regular season champions, Montana came out of the second weekend with a pair of ties against Eastern Washington and Idaho, to earn one point from each match,
Portland State handed Weber State their first loss since Sept. 15. The Vikings were the first team to defeat the Wildcats in conference play.
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 9)
Thursday, Oct. 9
Northern Arizona at Portland State // 1:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Weber State at Montana // 3:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Sacramento State at Idaho State // 3:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Sunday, Oct. 12
Sacramento State at Weber State // 12:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Idaho State at Montana // 12:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Portland State at Northern Colorado // 12:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Eastern Washington at Idaho // 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.