FARMINGTON, Utah (Nov. 12, 2025) – After a thrilling Big Sky Soccer Championship in Missoula, Montana's historic season continues as the regular season and tournament champions prepare for the opening round of the NCAA tournament.
Big Sky Soccer Weekly Notes (NCAA Tournament)
Montana Draws #4 Washington in Opening Round of NCAA Tournament
Big Sky soccer regular season and tournament champion Montana will head to Seattle, as the Grizzlies face fourth-seeded Univeristy of Washington in the opening round of the NCAA Women's Soccer Tournament.
The Grizzlies officially earned their bid on Monday, as part of the NCAA Women's Soccer Tournament selection show on NCAA.com. The game is slated for an 8:00 p.m. MT kickoff on Friday, Nov. 14. Fans can watch the game on ESPN+.
The Griz are seeking to become the first Big Sky team since 2005 to win a game in the NCAA Women’s Soccer Tournament. That victory came for Weber State against BYU in penalty kicks.
The Huskies enter the NCAA Women's Soccer Tournament with a 13-2-6 record overall, while going 8-1-2 in the Big Ten this season. Washington also swept Big Ten soccer titles this season, most recently securing the Big Ten Tournament crown in penalty kick fashion over Michigan State. Washington advanced to the second round of the NCAA Women's Soccer Tournament last year, before falling to No. 2 Mississippi State.
Montana Wins First Soccer Tournament Title Since 2021
The historic season continues for Montana as the Grizzlies become the first team to sweep soccer titles in the Big Sky since 2022. The tournament crown is Montana's first since 2021.
The madness in Missoula carried through Championship Sunday, as defenses stood strong, holding the league's top offenses in the conferece scoreless through 110 minutes of play.
It took penalty kicks to find a winner and it was tournament MVP Ashlyn Dvorak stood strong for Montana saving two penalty kicks in the shootout to lead her team to victory. She also converted a penalty kick of her own.
2025 Big Sky Soccer All-Tournament Team
M: Sara Rodgers, Idaho
M: Avery Ott, Northern Arizona
D: Bella Sackett, Weber State
M: Brynlee Meyerhoffer, Weber State
GK: Lauren Butorac, Weber State
D: Riley Carolan, Montana
D: Makena Smith, Montana
M: Maddie Ditta, Montana
F: Maycen Slater, Montana
F: Eliza Bentler, Montana
F: Reagan Brisendine, Montana
GK: Ashlyn Dvorak, Montana (MVP)
All-Conference Awards Announced
The 2025 Big Sky Conference Women’s Soccer Individual Awards and All-Conference Teams have been announced, highlighting the best and brightest stars across the league.
These awards are voted on by the league’s head coaches. Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own players in the process.
Weber State led the way with a trio of individual awards and six members on the All-Conference team. Lauren Butorac was a staple in the Wildcat's defensive efforts earning Freshman of the Year honors in her rookie campaign. Fellow Wildcat Presley Ray earned Newcomer of the Year in her first season in purple and white as well. Kyle Christensen led the Wildcats to a historic season in his first year at the helm. The 11 wins this season is the most for a first-year coach in program history.
Montana also has a strong prescence through the list of awards, collecting two individual awards and six All-Conference honors. Ally Henrikson earns Defensive MVP honors, while Ashlyn Dvorak was named Goalkeeper of the Year. The dynamic duo anchored a backline that only surrendered one goal in their last seven matches and 11 shutouts on the season.
Co-Offensive MVP honors are split between Eastern Washington's Delani Walker and Northern Arizona's Micala Boex. The two offensive star powers will square off in the opening game of the Big Sky Tournament on Wednesday.
NCAA Tournament Opening Round - Friday, November 14
Montana at #4 Washington // 8:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
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