FARMINGTON, Utah (Aug. 11, 2025) – As the 2025 soccer season nears, the Big Sky Conference office announced the results of its Preseason Coaches' Poll with Montana tabbed as the favorites. The Preseason All-Conference Team has also been released as Eastern Washington's Chloe Pattison headlines the team with Preseason MVP honors.
The preseason poll and preseason All-Conference Team was voted on by the league's nine head coaches, who could not vote for their own team.
Defending regular-season champion Montana garnered six first-place votes and a league-leading 60 points to claim the top spot in the preseason poll, while Eastern Washington earned two first-place votes. Defending Big Sky tournament champions Sacramento State collected the final first-place vote and was tied for fourth in Monday's preseason poll.
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.
The 2025 Big Sky Soccer Championship will be held November 5,7,9 at South Campus Stadium in Missoula Montana, with the top-six teams qualifying for the tournament.
The 2025 season officially gets underway on Thursday, Aug.14, with all nine teams in action.
Follow the Big Sky Conference (@BigSkyConf) on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok for all the latest news around the league and use the hashtag #ExperienceElevated.
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
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