FARMINGTON, Utah (August 11, 2025) – In a vote by the league's head coaches, the Northern Arizona soccer team is tied for fourth in the 2025 Big Sky Preseason Poll as released by the conference office on Monday. Additionally, the Big Sky Conference coaches also voted
Micala Boex to the Preseason All-Conference Team.
The Lumberjacks earned 39 points in the preseason poll, good for a tie with Sacramento State for fourth. The preseason poll results indicate a wide-open race for the Big Sky's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, given the Hornets are the defending tournament champions, yet were tied for fourth.
Montana, the two-time defending Big Sky regular season champion, is the preseason favorite, receiving six of nine first-place votes. Eastern Washington received two first-place votes and is second in the preseason poll, while Idaho, last season's tournament runner-up, is third.
The top-six teams at the conclusion of the regular season will qualify for the 2025 Big Sky Championship tournament held in Missoula, Mont. from Nov. 5-9. NAU has qualified for the conference tournament in each of the last nine seasons, a streak only matched by Montana dating back to 2016.
Boex, a third-year forward, represents NAU on the Preseason All-Conference Team. The Aurora, Colo. native made her collegiate debut last season after missing the 2023 campaign with an injury. In 2024, Boex started eight of 17 matches and ranked second on the team in overall points (9) and points in conference play (7).
Boex, one of three forwards garnering preseason honors, recorded all three of her assists in league matches, tying her for second amongst Big Sky players.
Eastern Washington's Chloe Pattison – the 2024 Big Sky Co-Offensive MVP – was voted as the preseason MVP and headlines the 12-member Preseason All-Conference Team.
After hosting Arizona and Arizona State in exhibition matches last week, NAU officially opens the 2025 season this Thursday, Aug. 14, at home versus Embry-Riddle at 7 p.m. The Lumberjacks close the first homestand of the season on Sunday versus Nevada at 1 p.m. All matches at Lumberjack Stadium are free for fans to attend.
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2025 Big Sky Preseason Coaches Poll (First-Place Votes in Parentheses)
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
