FARMINGTON, Utah (Aug. 26, 2026) – An action-packed first two weeks of the soccer season are complete as teams continue to roll through non-conference play.
Below are news & notes from around the league for Big Sky Soccer.
Northern Colorado's Maddie Mori Named Offensive Player of the Week
True freshman Maddie Mori led Northern Colorado to their first win over Colorado State in nine years on Sunday with a pair of goals. Mori came off the bench for the Bears and found the back of the net just minutes after entering the action. Her second goal in the final few minutes of play proved to be the difference in the 2-1 victory. Mori has scored all the goals for the Bears so far this season.
Northern Colorado is back on the pitch on Thursday as they host South Dakota in Greeley.
Others Nominated: Deanna Montero (EWU), Hallie Prinos-Grumbach (UI), Stephanie Roper (ISU), Oakley Anderson (WSU)
Idaho State's Aliya Garrett Named Defensive Player of the Week
Idaho State's Aliya Garrett was given the weekly honor after a clean sheet performance for the Bengals. The fifth year recorded a six-sav shutout to secure the win over CSU Bakersfield. The win and the shutout are both firsts at the D1 level for Garrett.
The Vandals are back in action on Thursday to take on UNLV in Pocatello.
Others Nominated: Payton Hyde (EWU), Lexi Saveski (NAU), Mia Norman (UNC), Kenadee Godderidge (WSU)
Eagles 4-0 After Two Weeks of Action
After the first two weeks of play, Eastern Washington is the only unbeaten left as they head into week three with a perfect 4-0 record. The 4-0 start if the best start for the Eagles in program history. Eastern Washington has defeated Mount Royal, Bucknell, UIC and Western Illinois, surrendering just one goal along the way.
Eastern Washington looks to stay in the win column as they host a lone contest this week against CSU Bakersfield.
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 3)
Thursday, Aug. 27
Southern Utah at Sacramento State // 4:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Lethbridge at Montana // 5:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
South Dakota at Northern Colorado // 7:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
UNLV at Idaho State // 7:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
CSU Bakersfield at Idaho // 8:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Utah Tech at UC Riverside // 8:30 p.m. MT
Saturday, Aug. 29
Weber State at Long Beach State // 8:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Sunday, Aug. 30
Denver at Northern Colorado // 12:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Nevada at Portland State // 1:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Idaho State at Boise State // 1:00 p.m. MT (Youtube)
MSU Billings at Montana // 1:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
UTEP at Northern Arizona // 2:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
CSU Bakersfield at Eastern Washington // 2:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Utah at Utah Tech // 7:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)