University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Photo by: Woody Myers
Soccer Ready for Big Sky Success Again in 2020
7/21/2020 3:28:00 PM | Women's Soccer
UNC soccer team was picked to finish second in the Big Sky in 2020
FARMINGTON, Utah – Northern Colorado's soccer was picked to finish second in the Big Sky by the conference's coaches in 2020. The Bears return nine of their 11 starters and 19 letterwinners from last year's NCAA Tournament team. UNC finished one point behind preseason favorite Montana in the polls.
Northern advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 2019 after winning the Big Sky Tournament for the second time in program history. Key pieces of the 2019 team return including co-Big Sky Defensive MVP and United Soccer Coaches second team All-West region selection Maddie Barkow, Big Sky Tournament MVP Taylor Bray and starting goalkeeper Ashley Franza.
Rounding out the top five of the Big Sky poll behind UNC and Montana were Eastern Washington, Sacramento State and Northern Arizona, respectively. There will not be a Big Sky Soccer Tournament in 2020, instead, the regular season champion will earn the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
UNC has been in the championship game of the Big Sky Tournament in four of the past five seasons including winning it in 2015 and 2019.
Northern Colorado is scheduled to start its 2020 on August 20 at Jackson Stadium against Colorado College.
To stay up to date on all things UNC soccer, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
2020 Big Sky Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll
Northern advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 2019 after winning the Big Sky Tournament for the second time in program history. Key pieces of the 2019 team return including co-Big Sky Defensive MVP and United Soccer Coaches second team All-West region selection Maddie Barkow, Big Sky Tournament MVP Taylor Bray and starting goalkeeper Ashley Franza.
Rounding out the top five of the Big Sky poll behind UNC and Montana were Eastern Washington, Sacramento State and Northern Arizona, respectively. There will not be a Big Sky Soccer Tournament in 2020, instead, the regular season champion will earn the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
UNC has been in the championship game of the Big Sky Tournament in four of the past five seasons including winning it in 2015 and 2019.
Northern Colorado is scheduled to start its 2020 on August 20 at Jackson Stadium against Colorado College.
To stay up to date on all things UNC soccer, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
2020 Big Sky Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll
| Place | Team (1st Place Votes) | Points |
| 1 | Montana (4) | 70 |
| 2 | Northern Colorado (2) | 69 |
| 3 | Eastern Washington (2) | 66 |
| 4 | Sacramento State (1) | 65 |
| 5 | Northern Arizona (1) | 49 |
| 6 | Weber State | 40 |
| 7 | Idaho | 34 |
| 8 | Portland State | 22 |
| 9 | Idaho State | 18 |
| 10 | Southern Utah | 17 |
Players Mentioned
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