FARMINGTON, Utah (Sept. 23, 2026) – The final few matches of the non-conference slate will take place on Friday as four teams will take the pitch one last time before Big Sky play begins.
Below are news & notes from around the league for Big Sky Soccer.
Northern Arizona's Micala Boex Named Offensive Player of the Week
Northern Arizona's Micala Boex was named Offensive Player of the Week after a five-point weekend consisting of two goals and an assist. The Lumberjack was efficient in her offensive production in the pair of matches as she registered 12 shots, six of them being on goal. Boex's individual efforts led the Lumberjacks to an unbeaten week to close out non-conference play.
Northern Arizona returns to the pitch on Oct. 8 for a pair of home conference matches against Eastern Washington and Idaho.
Others Nominated: Katelyn Pettigrew (EWU), Lexi Tuite (UNC), Aliayha Saldana (PSU), Halle Cowan (SUU)
Portland State's Finley Crabtree Named Defensive Player of the Week
Portland State's Finley Crabtree earned the weekly honor after recording a nine-save shutout over San Diego. Crabtree held San Diego scoreless after facing 20 shots and 10 corner kicks through the Viking's lone contest of the week. The honor is the first of the season for Crabtree.
Portland State will take this weekend off before beginning conference play on Oct. 1 against Utah Tech.
Others Nominated: Payton Hyde (EWU), Lexi Saveski (NAU) Tatum Trout (SUU)
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.
Follow the Big Sky Conference (@BigSkyConf) on X, Facebook, Instagram, Blue Sky, YouTube and TikTok for all the latest news around the league.
2026 Big Sky Soccer Schedule (Week 7)
Friday, Sept. 25
Oregon State at Eastern Washington // 4:30 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Colorado State at Weber State // 7:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Northern Colorado at Boise State // 7:00 p.m. MT (YouTube)
Gonzaga at Idaho // 8:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)