FARMINGTON, Utah (Aug. 27, 2025) – The first two weekends of non-conference action have come and gone. All nine teams will be back in action on Thursday for week three.
Big Sky Soccer Weekly Notes (Week 3)
Big Sky Weekly Honors Announced
Offensive Player of the Week: Grace Kirby, Weber State (FWD, Sr., Ogden, UT.)
Kirby scored a goal in each of the two games for the Wildcats, including the one that sealed the match against CSU Bakersfield. The senior forward was very efficient with her work totaling 3 shots and 2 shots on goal on the week, connecting on both of her shots on goal for goals.
After a 2-0 weekend, the Wildcats are on their first 3-game winning streak since 2022.
Defensive Player of the Week: Izzy Palmatier, Sacramento State (GK, Jr., Folsom, CA.)
Palmatier helped the Hornets open the Outrigger Soccer Kickoff in Hawaii with a big win over Oregon out of the Big Ten Conference, making eight saves en route to a 1-0 win over the Ducks. Six of those stops came in the final 27 minutes of the second half as the Hornets scored in the 64th minute and held off Oregon for the win. The performance moved her into a tie for third on the school's all-time list with 13 shutouts, while her eight saves gave her 192 for her career – just four shy of a spot in the top five on the career chart.
Week 2 Highlights
The first two weekends of the 2025 soccer season are in the books as all nine Big Sky soccer squads have recorded at least one win in their opening 3-4 games. Idaho State heads into week three as the lone Big Sky team to yet be defeated.
Defending tournament champions, Sacramento State recorded the biggest result of the weekend with a 1-0 victory over Oregon. Jaety Mandaquit's goal in the 63rd minute of action was the difference in the match. Izzy Palmatier came up big on the defensive end with eight saves on the night.
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 3)
Thursday, Aug. 28
Grand Canyon at Portland State // 2:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
UC Irvine at Sacramento State // 4:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
South Dakota at Eastern Washington // 5:30 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Idaho State at Oregon State // 6:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Weber State at Nebraska // 7:00 p.m. MT (B1G+)
Montana at Boise State // 7:00 p.m. MT (MW Network)
Southern Utah at Northern Colorado // 7:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Washington State at Idaho // 8:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Northern Arizona at Hawaii // 11:00 p.m. MT
Sunday, Aug. 31
Fresno State at Sacramento State // 12:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
UIC at Eastern Washington // 12:30 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Nevada at Montana // 1:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
South Dakota at Idaho // 2:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Idaho State at Seattle // 2:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Northern Arizona at South Dakota State // 4:00 p.m. MT