Big Sky announces coaches poll and preseason MVP
MIKE MAYNARD | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year AGO
Eagles defender, Riley Arribas, maintains possession of the ball while the opposing team closes in. The Eagles were picked to finish second in the Big Sky Conference and forward, Chloe Pattison, was named preseason MVP.
COURTESY PHOTO/BRIDGET MAYFIELD/EWU ATHLETICS
CHENEY – After finishing third in the Big Sky last season, Eastern Washington women's soccer has been picked to finish second in the 2025 Big Sky preseason coaches' poll, according to a statement by the Big Sky Conference.
The preseason poll and preseason All-Conference Team was voted on by the league's nine head coaches, who could not vote for their own team.
Defending regular-season champion Montana garnered six first-place votes and a league-leading 60 points to claim the top spot in the preseason poll, while Eastern Washington earned two first-place votes, the statement said. Defending Big Sky tournament champions Sacramento State collected the final first-place vote and was tied for fourth in Monday's preseason poll.
Head coach Missy Strasburg enters her fifth season at the helm of the Eagles, a statement by Eastern Washington Athletics said. Strasburg was named Big Sky Coach of the Year last season after leading the Eagles from an eighth-place preseason ranking to a third-place conference finish.
Eastern wrapped up last season with a 9-5-5 overall record and a 4-1-3 mark in conference play. The team returns 17 players, including eight starters, and welcomes 12 newcomers.
Senior Chloe Pattison returns for her final season after earning Big Sky Co-Offensive MVP honors last year. She was also named the conference's preseason MVP and is the only Eagle selected to the Preseason All-Conference Team. Last season, Pattison led both the team and the conference with 11 goals — four more than the next closest scorer.
Other key returners include goalkeeper Kamryn Willoughby, forwards Charity Freeman and Kendall Moore, defenders Riley Arribas, Iris Mattern and Ryanne Ampi, as well as midfielders Genesis and Beccado.
Idaho, Portland State and Sacramento State all have two members each earning preseason honors.
The 2025 Big Sky Soccer Championship will be held Nov. 5, 7, 9 at South Campus Stadium in Missoula, Mont., with the top six teams qualifying for the tournament. The 2025 season officially gets underway Thursday with all nine teams in action.
The Eagles open their regular season Thursday against Seattle University in Seattle. Their home opener is set for Sunday, Aug. 17, at noon against Southern Utah.
Preseason MVP
Chloe Pattison, EWU
Preseason Coaches' Poll
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 Number of First-Place Votes
ARTICLES BY MIKE MAYNARD
Broncos reload after memorable state semifinal run
LIND — If you ask Lind/Ritzville (14-2) Head Coach Cari Galbreath, last season was special for the Broncos. “It was just a good mix of players filling their roles all very well, and they were all competitive and intense. It was a memorable season for sure,” Galbreath said.
Diaz returns to alma mater, takes over Jacks girls soccer
QUINCY — The Quincy Jacks (11-4-1) begin a new era under new Head Coach Javier Diaz ahead of the 2026 season. Since his arrival, Diaz has felt a lot of positive energy throughout the program, he said. “I'm excited about the prospect of what's going to happen this season,” Diaz said. “I think we're trying to establish a new culture with the girls and hopefully it sticks around for a long time.”
Knights eye state bid ahead of 2026 season
ROYAL CITY — After a strong 2025 that fell just short of a state tournament bid, the Royal Knights (13-3) come into this season eager to take that next step. “I think we need to score,” Head Coach Jens Jensen said. “We need to score from more set pieces than we did last year. That's going to be huge. So free kicks, corners – we got to find more goals.”