FARMINGTON, Utah (Oct. 21, 2026) – The halfway point of the conference season is here as teams only have a few more opportunities left to secure their spot in the Big Sky Soccer Championships.
Below are news & notes from around the league for Big Sky Soccer.
Northern Arizona's Valerie Llamas Named Co-Offensive Player of the Week
Northern Arizona's Valerie Llamas was named Co-Offensive Player of the Week after recording six points in the Lumberjack's 1-0-1 week. The junior was incredibly efficient in her offensive production converting four of her shots on target into three goals. Llamas accounted for all three of the team's goals on the weekend.
Northern Arizona takes on Montana and Portland State this weekend.
Weber State's Lily Blum Named Co-Offensive Player of the Week
Weber State's Lily Blum was named Co-Offensive Player of the Week after scoring three goals in the Wildcat's two games on the weekend. The senior logged 7 shots on the week, three of them on goal. Blum accounted for three of the team's four goals on the weekend. The honor is Blum's second in as many weeks.
Weber State remains in first place heading into a bye weekend.
Others Nominated: Saydree Cooke (ISU), Ava Marshall (UNC), Elle Frazier (PSU), Ashlyn O'Malley (SUU)
Idaho State's Aliya Garrett Named Defensive Player of the Week
Idaho State's Aliya Garrett earned the weekly honor after leading the Bengal's defensive efforts with nine saves. Garrett recorded a perfect save percentage after facing 23 shots through the two matches on week. The back-to-back shutouts led to Idaho State's first two conference wins on the season. This is Garrett's second player of the week honor this season.
Idaho State is off this weekend before returning to action with three games left of the regular season.
Others Nominated: Lexi Saveski (NAU), Thordis Melsted (UNC), Finley Crabtree (PSU), Tatum Trout (SUU) Isbella Sackett (WSU)
Weber State at the Helm of Big Sky Standings
Weber State heads into their bye week coming off of a 3-0 win at Montana, the win marks the fourth of Big Sky Play for the Wildcats. Win the win the Weber State moved to a 4-1-1 mark in conference play, three points ahead of the Lumberjacks and Trailblazers in the standings.
Weber State's lone loss of Big Sky play came against Portland State. It is the first time the Wildcats dropped a contest since Sept. 19 at Utah Valley.
After the bye week, Weber State has three regular season games remaining, all in Ogden, against Idaho State, Northern Colorado and Northern Arizona.
After a first week bye in conference action, Northern Arizona and Northern Colorado are also unbeaten through their first four games on the Big Sky slate. The two squads look to keep their momentum going against Montana and Portland State this week.
The top six teams in the standings at the end of conference play with qualify for the Big Sky championship in Missoula in November.
Weber State Picked as Preseason Favorites by League Coaches
Weber State was named preseason favorites by the league's head coaches after a runner-up finish a season ago. The Wildcats look to make a run behind their league-leading four preseason All-Conference team selections Isabella Sackett, Lily Blum, Oakley Anderson and reigning Freshman of the Year, Lauren Butorac.
Weber State earned the top spot in the poll after collecting five first-place votes and a league-leading 74 points, edging out Idaho, who compiled four first-place votes. In their first season in the Big Sky, Utah Tech received the final first-place vote in the poll, rounding out the top three.
NAU's Micala Boex Tabbed as Preseason MVP by League Coaches
Northern Arizona's Micala Boex headlines the Preseason All-Conference Team, earning Preseason MVP honors. Last season, Boex ranked top-five in the league in several offensive categories including goals, assists, points and shots. The Co-Offensive MVP from a season ago recorded eight multi-point games through the 2025 campaign.
Southern Utah and Utah Tech Join the Big Sky in 2026
Southern Utah and Utah Tech were officially welcomed as members of the Big Sky Conference this past summer, as the addition of the Thunderbirds and Trailblazers give the Big Sky 10 soccer squads for the 2026 season. The 2026 season will mark SUU’s return to the Big Sky after being a soccer member from 2012-21, while the year will be UTU’s inaugural season in the league.
2026 Big Sky Soccer Tournament Hosted in Missoula
The 2026 Big Sky Soccer Championship, hosted by University of Montana, will be held in Missoula, Montana on Nov. 11, 13 and 15. The Grizzlies earned the right to host the 2026 championship tournament by winning last fall's regular-season title.
The Grizzlies also won the tournament title in 2025, becoming the first Big Sky team to sweep the regular season and tournament titles since Northern Arizona in 2022.
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2026 Big Sky Soccer Schedule (Week 11)
Thursday, Oct. 22
Portland State at Northern Colorado // 1:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Southern Utah at Eastern Washington // 4:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Montana at Northern Arizona // 8:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Utah Tech at Idaho // 8:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Sunday, Oct. 25
Portland State at Northern Arizona // 12:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Montana at Northern Colorado // 12:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Southern Utah at Idaho // 2:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Utah Tech at Eastern Washington // 2:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)