FARMINGTON, Utah (Aug. 20, 2025) – The 2025-26 athletic year is underway as the opening weekend of soccer season is complete. All nine Big Sky soccer squads return to the pitch this weekend for week two.
Big Sky Soccer Weekly Notes (Week 2)
Big Sky Weekly Honors Announced
Offensive Player of the Week: Chloe Seelhoff, Montana (M, Sr., Snohomish, Wash.)
Chloe Seelhoff scored twice as Montana defeated Southern Utah 3-0 on Thursday in the Grizzlies' season opener. The contest was Montana's only of the week. The Wash., native took seven shots, put four on goal, with two other shots hitting the cross bar.
Defensive Player of the Week: Taryn Rea, Northern Colorado (D, Sr., Thornton, CO,)
Taryn played all 180 minutes in the two games and helped the Bears give up only one goal on the weekend off of a corner kick. The Bears played two games on the road and came out with a tie and a win. Taryn set up the game winner against Oral Roberts by putting a free kick on to Lexi Tuite’s head that sealed the 1-0 victory.
Opening Weekend Highlights
The 2025 soccer season is officially underway as all nine Big Sky soccer squads saw their first action of the season this weekend. Reigning Big Sky regular season champions Montana, tournament champions Sacramento State and Northern Colorado all came out of opening weekend unbeaten.
Portland State highlighted opening night with a massive 2-2 tie on the road against Iowa State. The Vikings were the first to find the net in the opening 15 minutes of the match and then later scored the game-tying goal in the final 10 minutes of regulation.
Weber State closed out opening weekend with a big road result in Corvallis, taking down the Beavers 3-2. Weber State scored three goals in a 10-minute span early in the second half, which was enough to come out with a victory.
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 2)
Thursday, Aug. 21
Northern Colorado at Wyoming // 4:00 p.m. MT (MW Network)
Idaho at UMass Lowell // 5:15 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Seattle at Montana // 6:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
North Dakota State at Idaho State // 7:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
CSU Bakersfield at Weber State // 7:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Northern Arizona at UC San Diego // 8:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Oregon vs Sacramento State // 8:30 p.m. MT
Friday, Aug. 22
Eastern Washington at North Dakota // 11:30 a.m. MT (Summit League Network)
Saturday, Aug. 23
Fordham at Northern Colorado // 3:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Idaho at Stonehill College // 4:00 p.m. MT (NEC Front Row)
Sunday, Aug. 24
North Dakota State at Weber State // 11:30 a.m. MT (ESPN+)
CSU Bakersfield at Idaho State // 1:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Baylor at Montana // 1:30 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Phoenix College at Northern Arizona // 2:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Western Oregon at Portland State // 2:00 p.m. MT
Central Arkansas vs Sacramento State // 5:30 p.m. MT