FARMINGTON, Utah (August 5, 2026) – In a vote by the league's head coaches,
Micala Boex was named the 2026 Big Sky Preseason Most Valuable Player, and the Northern Arizona soccer team was picked to finish fourth in the preseason poll, released Wednesday morning.
The Lumberjacks earned 60 points in the poll, three behind Utah Tech's 63 points as the Trailblazers claimed third and a single first-place vote. Idaho received second, tallying 70 points with four first-place votes. Weber State, last season's tournament runner-up, landed first with 74 total points and five first-place votes. The balanced split of first-place votes indicate a wide-open race for the Big Sky's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Montana, the defending tournament champion, landed seventh poll.
The top six teams at the conclusion of the regular season will qualify for the 2026 Big Sky Championships held in Missoula, Mont. from Nov. 11-15. NAU has qualified for the tournament every year under head coach
Alan Berrios' tenure, who enters his fourth full season at the helm of the Jacks. Only Montana matches NAU's overall streak of ten straight appearances in the conference tournament.
In addition to the major award, Boex also received a spot on the Preseason All-Conference team. The Graduate student enters her third season competing following a 2025 campaign in which she earned Co-MVP honors as well as Second Team All-Conference. Boex led the Lumberjacks in goals (eight), assists (six), and points (22) last season, and was second in goals, third in points, and fifth in assists in the Big Sky. The native of Aurora, Colorado returns to the pitch in 2026 ready to spearhead a deep attack.
Valerie Llamas and
Erin O'Connor also join Boex as returning All-Conference honorees.
NAU will play two exhibitions this week, beginning with an intersquad scrimmage tomorrow, Thursday Aug. 6 at 7 p.m. Mountain Standard time and Sunday, Aug. 9 at 7 p.m. MST against Embry-Riddle. Both exhibition matches are open and free for the public to attend.
The Jacks open the regular season on the road on Wednesday, Aug. 12 as they travel to California to face UC Riverside. NAU's first official home match is on Sunday, Aug. 23 at 1 p.m. MST against UC San Diego.
Stay up to date with Northern Arizona soccer by following the Lumberjacks on
X and
Instagram.
Preseason Coaches' Poll
- Weber State (5) - 74
- Idaho (4) - 70
- Utah Tech (1) – 63
- Northern Arizona – 60
- Eastern Washington – 50
- Portland State – 36
- Montana – 33
- Idaho State – 28
- Northern Colorado – 25
- Southern Utah - 11
