FARMINGTON, Utah (Sept. 17, 2025) – Nearly halfway through the soccer season, teams around the league are prepping for their final non-conference matchups before turning their attention toward league action.
Big Sky Soccer Weekly Notes (Week 6)
Big Sky Weekly Honors Announced
Co-Offensive Player of the Week: Delani Walker, Eastern Washington (F, Sr., Missoula, Mont.)
Walker led the Eagles to an unbeaten swing trip in Hawaii this weekend as she combined for three goals over the weekend, one against Hawaii and two against Hawaii pacific.
Sunday’s game against Hawaii Pacific was Walker’s first multi-goal game of the season. After scoring three goals this weekend, the senior now has five on the season.
Co-Offensive Player of the Week: Micala Boex, Northern Arizona (F, Jr., Aurora, Colo.)
Micala provided one goal and one assist in each game this week to help NAU to an unbeaten 1-0-1 stretch in two away games.
The Junior now leads the Lumberjacks in points (14), goals (5) and assists (4). With the two results on the road this weekend, Northern Arizona has extended their unbeaten streak to six games.
Defensive Player of the Week: Izzy Palmatier, Sacramento State (GK, R-Jr., Folsom, Calif..)
Izzy Palmatier went the distance and finished with seven saves in a 1-0 shutout of CSUN – only the fourth by the Hornets in 12 all-time meetings with the Matadors and the first-ever in Northridge. Palmatier made four of her seven stops in the first half to help Sacramento State to the lead at the break, and made her final three saves in the last 11 minutes to preserve the shutout. The seven stops inched her closer to the No. 4 spot on the school's career list, while her 14th career shutout gave her sole possession of third on the all-time chart.
Others Nominated for Big Sky Soccer Player of the Week
Offense: Eliza Bentler (UM), Anneliese Wong (UNC), Ocean Rideout (PSU), Tea Reyes (SAC)
Defense: Ashlyn Dvorak (UM), Finley Crabtree (PSU)
Week 5 Highlights
Five weeks of soccer action have been completed and Montana has claimed the top spot in the standings with four wins. The Grizzlies are coming off a big shutout victory over UC Davis, their first time defeating the Aggies.
Northern Arizona is right behind Montana in the standings. The Lumberjacks extended their unbeaten streak to six games after going 1-0-1 on the road against Southern Utah and Utah Tech this weekend.
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 6)
Thursday, Sept. 18
UC Davis at Sacramento State // 4:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Gonzaga at Montana // 4:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Idaho State at UNLV // 6:30 p.m. MT (MW Network)
Grand Canyon at Northern Arizona // 8:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Boise State at Idaho // 8:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Weber State at Cal Baptist // 8:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Friday, Sept. 19
Northern Colorado at Air Force // 6:00 p.m. MT (MW Network)
Portland State at Utah Tech // 7:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Sunday, Sept. 20
Washington State at Montana // 11:00 a.m. MT (ESPN+)
Kansas City at Northern Colorado // 12:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Portland State at Southern Utah // 1:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Weber State at UC Santa Barbara // 1:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Pacific at Eastern Washington // 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.