FARMINGTON, Utah (Sept. 3, 2025) – Already halfway through non-conference play, Big Sky soccer squads are looking to find their stride as league action nears.
Big Sky Soccer Weekly Notes (Week 4)
Big Sky Weekly Honors Announced
Offensive Player of the Week: Avery Ott, Northern Arizona (MID, Sr., Centennial, Colo.)
Avery Ott led NAU to a 4-2 win over the Hawai'i Rainbow Wahine on Thursday by recording a hat trick on five shots, including an insurance goal late to seal the victory. She is now the fifth player in program history to record a hat trick.
Defensive Player of the Week: Kamryn Willoughby, Eastern Washington (GK, Sr., Lindon, UT.)
Willoughby record 10 saves over two matches with seven in the win over UIC. n the game against South Dakota she added three saves. She only allowed two goals over the weekend one against UIC and one against South Dakota.
Week 3 Highlights
Halfway through the non-conference slate, Big Sky soccer squads are finding their stride as conference play nears. Weber State sits atop of the standings as the only team with three wins, but six teams sit right behind them with two wins.
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 4)
Thursday, Sept. 4
Hawaii at Sacramento State // 4:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
St. Thomas at Eastern Washington // 5:30 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
CSUN at Portland State // 7:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Utah Tech at Idaho State // 7:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Northern Colorado at Colorado State // 7:00 p.m. MT (MW Network)
Montana at Boise State // 7:00 p.m. MT (MW Network)
Weber State at Boise State // 7:00 p.m. MT (MW Network)
UTEP at Idaho // 8:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Sunday, Sept. 7
St. Thomas at Idaho State // 11:00 a.m. MT (ESPN+)
Air Force at Eastern Washington // 1:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
San Jose State at Sacramento State // 1:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
MSU Billings at Montana // 1:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Colorado College at Northern Colorado // 1:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Northern Arizona at UC Irvine // 2:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)