FARMINGTON, Utah (Sept. 24, 2025) – Six weeks of non-conference action have come and gone. Teams around the league turn their attention towards Big Sky play, which kicks off on Thursday with four games.
Big Sky Soccer Weekly Notes (Week 7)
Big Sky Weekly Honors Announced
Offensive Player of the Week: Saydree Cooke, Idaho State (F, R-Jr., Pocatello, ID.)
Saydree Cooke led the Bengals offensive attack that dropped 2 goals on UNLV, leading them to a 2-0 victory in Idaho State's lone game on the week. ISU's first win over UNLV since 2000, and just their second in program history.
To close out non-conference play, Cooke would assist a Mary Za goal in the first half to open the scoring in Vegas, followed by a goal of her own in the first two minutes of the second half. Saydree would end the match with 1 goal, 1 assist, 3 points, 2 shots on goal, and 4 total shots.
Defensive Player of the Week: Ashlyn Dvorak, Montana (GK, R-Jr., Billings, Mont.)
Ashlyn Dvorak posted shutouts as Montana defeated Gonzaga 4-0 and Washington State 1-0. The redshirt-junior made six saves against the Bulldogs, three against the Cougars.
Dvorak now has three shutouts on the season.
Others Nominated for Big Sky Soccer Player of the Week
Offense: Delani Walker (EWU), Lydia Robertson (UM), Preslie Young (UNC), Sydney Spotts (PSU), Presley Ray (WSU)
Defense: Kamryn Willoughby (EWU), Hannah Wieler (ISU), Emry Jacobs (WSU)
Week 6 Highlights
Six weeks of soccer action have been completed and Montana leads the standings heading into conference play with six wins. The Grizzlies are coming off final weekend of non-conference action securing two shutout victories over Gonzaga and Washington State. Montana is taking a five-game win streak into conference play and has posted four consecutive shutouts.
Weber State is right behind Montana in the standings. The Wildcats also capped off a six-win non-conference slate, most recently defeating Cal Baptist and UC Santa Barbara.
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 7)
Thursday, Sept. 25
Eastern Washington at Weber State // 6:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Idaho at Idaho State // 7:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Sacramento State at Northern Colorado // 7:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Montana at Northern Arizona // 9:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Sunday, Sept. 28
Northern Colorado at Montana // 12:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Idaho at Weber State // 12:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Northern Arizona at Sacramento State // 2:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Idaho State 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.