No. 1 Weber State WildcatsRecord: 8-9-2, 5-2-0 BSCKey Wins: Montana, Portland State, Northern ArizonaKey Losses: Northern Colorado, Sacramento State
Key Players: Perhaps boasting the conference’s deepest roster, Weber State features five players selected for the Big Sky All-Conference First Team, including the Big Sky Co-Offensive Player of the Year, senior midfielder Hayley McCoy, and the Defensive Player of the Year, junior goalkeeper Rebecca Ritchie.
McCoy’s 76 shots on the season were the most in the conference, and her five goals and six assists placed her third in total points. Richie authored seven shutouts on the season and earned a .839 save percentage.
Vs. Portland State: Oct. 23, 2-0, Weber State
Schott’s scouting report: “They have some strong personalities, both defensive and offensive, and they had a good year. We had a stroke of bad luck against them the first time we met, not to take away anything from them. [They are] a talented team.”
No. 2 Portland State VikingsRecord: 5-10-4, 4-1-2 BSCKey Wins: Montana, Eastern Washington, Idaho StateKey Losses: Weber State, Fresno State
Key Players: Junior goalkeeper Cris Lewis, who finished the regular season with the highest save total of the conference (121) and an All-Conference Second Team selection, leads the team from the goalie box.
Rising sophomore midfielder Frankie Ross, the Vikings’ only member of the All-Conference First Team and the 2008 Golden Boot winner (given to the player who scores the most points during Big Sky play), poses the Vikings’ largest offensive threats.
Scouting Report: The Vikings have been prone to stagnant offense this season and the young squad that has played numerous freshman and sophomores under first-year head coach Schott could be overwhelmed by the pressure of single elimination games.
No. 3 Northern Arizona UniversityRecord: 10-6-3, 4-1-2 BSCKey Wins: Sacramento State, Northern ColoradoKey Losses: Weber State, Washington
Key Players: The Lumberjacks produced the most shots (297, shared with Weber State), goals (37) and overall points (117) in the Big Sky this season, so it is no surprise that they placed three players on the All-Conference First Team. Junior forward Cee Cee Odorfer was also named the Big Sky Co-Offensive Player of the Year after leading the league in goals, assists and overall points.
Vs. Portland State: Oct. 12, 0-0
Schott’s scouting report: “NAU is a good attacking team. They like to go forward, to advance with numbers. Like Weber State, they have some dynamic players that can be dangerous.”
No. 4 Montana Record: 6-10-2, 3-3-1Key Wins: Northern Colorado, Sacramento StateKey Losses: Portland State, Weber State
Key Players: The Grizzlies have a strong team featuring several players with significant experience. Senior defender Sara Aspinwall and midfielder Sara Campbell represent Montana on the All-Conference First Team, and senior midfielder Megan Chambers and sophomore forward Kaitlyn Heinsohn were named to the second team.
Heinsohn, perhaps their most dangerous scoring threat, leads the Grizzlies’ attack with five goals on 56 shots.
Vs. PSU: Oct. 17, 2-1, Portland State
Schott’s scouting report: “Montana came on strong in the latter half of the season. They are solid defensively, and can definitely attack dynamically.”