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Griz Soccer 2026

MontanaGrizSoccer said:
Thanks for the update,

Idaho is looking good, they beat Gonzaga 4-1 last week. Will be both teams last spring game before portal opens May 1. WSU is trying to mimic Boise State and Utah State, they are the 2 best teams in the conference and typically have 8-10 fast forwards, they continue to rotate out forwards during the game putting pressure on the Mid and backline.
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MontanaGrizSoccer said:
Thanks for the update,

Idaho is looking good, they beat Gonzaga 4-1 last week. Will be both teams last spring game before portal opens May 1. WSU is trying to mimic Boise State and Utah State, they are the 2 best teams in the conference and typically have 8-10 fast forwards, they continue to rotate out forwards during the game putting pressure on the Mid and backline.
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Good to hear about Idaho 4-1! And I agree on WSU style of play is a lot like BSU.

FWIW, I did catch half of the Zephyr WSU game last weekend. I’m no WSU fan, but I was downtown with family and it was a beautiful Sunday and it was free admission, sooo ;)

-I can confirm #24 on WSU tore or badly injured her knee again. Sad to see as she is a speedy playmaker
-score was 2-0 Zephyr. WSU attack was stifled quite a bit, but defense held up OK overall (Zephyr goals were rockets)
-Dynamic between Chris & Molly Rouse was interesting to watch this game. She’s very animated & vocal, Chris was pretty quiet
-Dvorak did not play, i have no details on why
-several of the other former Griz were standouts: Widmor was driving in the middle, Carolin dominated physically in the air and on ground, Slater looks stronger & faster, and Sandow was gritty pushing up the sideline

Not sure if these players feel more freedom in this style of play or encouraged by new teammates/coaches or are just getting their chance & taking it… but hopefully current Griz team & players respond the same way this Fall!

Also former Griz Charlie Boone looked great as CB for Zephyr
 
GrizzlyBen said:
Madisyn Marchesi - Centerback - NAU - Incoming Junior (has played lots of minutes).
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GrizzlyBen said:
Madisyn Marchesi - Centerback - NAU - Incoming Junior (has played lots of minutes).
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GrizLars said:
Good to hear about Idaho 4-1! And I agree on WSU style of play is a lot like BSU.

FWIW, I did catch half of the Zephyr WSU game last weekend. I’m no WSU fan, but I was downtown with family and it was a beautiful Sunday and it was free admission, sooo ;)

-I can confirm #24 on WSU tore or badly injured her knee again. Sad to see as she is a speedy playmaker
-score was 2-0 Zephyr. WSU attack was stifled quite a bit, but defense held up OK overall (Zephyr goals were rockets)
-Dynamic between Chris & Molly Rouse was interesting to watch this game. She’s very animated & vocal, Chris was pretty quiet
-Dvorak did not play, i have no details on why
-several of the other former Griz were standouts: Widmor was driving in the middle, Carolin dominated physically in the air and on ground, Slater looks stronger & faster, and Sandow was gritty pushing up the sideline

Not sure if these players feel more freedom in this style of play or encouraged by new teammates/coaches or are just getting their chance & taking it… but hopefully current Griz team & players respond the same way this Fall!

Also former Griz Charlie Boone looked great as CB for Zephyr
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Thanks for the update again. Spring games are good to work on set pieces and to evaluate players. Maybe they evaluating one of the 4 goalies. With no spring games for the Griz does it hurt or does it give them more rest for the season. They report back to campus July 10, NCAA is giving 4 extra weeks of practice this year hopefully they take advantage of it.
 
4-20-26 Portal Recap

All players listed are entering the transfer portal on May 1 ⬇️

💠 @Alliemarie711 (fmr UTRGV) 2️⃣ years of eligibility left
💠 @Paige_soccer07 (fmr Ohio University) redshirt freshman with 4️⃣ years of eligibility left
💠 @AvaKooker5 (fmr Stetson University) 2️⃣ years of eligibility left
💠 @ChloeShimkin (fmr University of Texas) 2️⃣ years of eligibility left
💠 @IvanaJohns74629 (fmr Saint Leo University) redshirt freshman with 4️⃣ years of eligibility left
💠 @GHerfindahl (fmr Houston Christian University) 4️⃣ years of eligibility left
💠 @addison__grogan (fmr University of Arkansas at Little Rock) 3️⃣ years of eligibility left
💠 @TRaymond06 (fmr Stetson University) 3️⃣ years of eligibility left
💠 @HDikeLawlor (fmr Queens University) 3️⃣ years of eligibility left
💠 @Kendall10170078 (fmr Bowling Green State University) 3️⃣ years of eligibility left
💠 @ellaspiller09 (fmr Lubbock Christian University) 2️⃣ years of eligibility left
💠 @katelynjamie24 (fmr DePaul University) 2️⃣ years of eligibility left
 
Weber State announced there soccer schedule, 19 games and some good non-conference games (Utah, Boise State, Oregon State, UC Santa Barbara Colorado State, Long Beach State). Does anyone know if Griz still doing the Glacier exhibition games or rumble in the Rockies or did they go away when Chris left.
 
GrizLars said:
What I meant is that the defense what Montana played in the conference tournament & UW game. Dvorak in goal, the two 6’ CBs paired with speedy outside backs (Sandow & ?) playing possession ball out of the back. It was pretty impressive-the WSU fan I was with said that this is the best their D has looked in years.

The offensive side of the ball looked to be primarily original WSU players. They put EWU on their heels with constant pressure & runs on goal - which is something the Griz (like most of Big Sky teams) have had issues with the past couple years.
Hope that makes sense.

Interested to see how they do against Idaho this week
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I had reacted to a couple things -one being the premise that "essentially the 2025 Griz defense" went to WSU and the other being that anyone can claim that WSU was (and is returning) a "powerhouse offense." Certainly not based on last season. Seemed to also be a slight at Brisendine and Slater who have scored more than all the WSU returners combined. In fact, not sure any WSU returners scored a goal last year and WSU was a bottom of the nation team in terms of goals scored, so was wondering where the powerhouse label came from. The players who scored either left or graduated.
The Griz defense last year included 3 starters that did not go to WSU - Defensive MVP Hendrickson, Parkhurst and Rokos. Sandow and Carolan will do great, but they were not regular starters in 2025 (same with Nowels who won't play next year.) So just a stretch to say the 2025 defense went to WSU and I would say it's also a stretch to say the defenders that went to WSU are possession-based.
WSU's defense was not great last year so these former Griz will be huge for them to help bolster a back line that had several season ending injuries to their GK'ers and their 7-year player who will be a starter on the back line if she returns.
I'd also question the idea that WSU defense has been horrible for years. Last year yes, but before that they were pretty damn good and they've produced some really good defensive players in recent years. Nadia Cooper -one of the best GK'ers in Pac12 for 5 years. They had Tappan in 2024 and Mace 2025 who are both playing pro now. So the statement seemed pretty out of touch to me.
 
From options I've seen listed so far, my targets might be:

GK:
Sienna Smart from Michigan OR
Hannah Dike-Lawlor from Queens
-
CB:
Kylie Briscoe from Colorado State
Madisyn Marchesi from NAU
-
Defenders/OB/Misc
Chloe Nugent from Michigan
Sydnee Maxwell from DePaul
Chloe Shimkin from Texas
-
Fwd (would like to see more options for sure - hard to tell level of competition except DePaul player)
1) Katelyn Jamie from DePaul
-
Ella Spiller from Lutheran Christian
Avery Mondoux from Nicholls State
Lauren Hardy from West Georgia
Brooke Viccars from UTSA
Camilia Palacios from Arkansas
 
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IDGrizFan said:
I had reacted to a couple things -one being the premise that "essentially the 2025 Griz defense" went to WSU and the other being that anyone can claim that WSU was (and is returning) a "powerhouse offense." Certainly not based on last season. Seemed to also be a slight at Brisendine and Slater who have scored more than all the WSU returners combined. In fact, not sure any WSU returners scored a goal last year and WSU was a bottom of the nation team in terms of goals scored, so was wondering where the powerhouse label came from. The players who scored either left or graduated.
The Griz defense last year included 3 starters that did not go to WSU - Defensive MVP Hendrickson, Parkhurst and Rokos. Sandow and Carolan will do great, but they were not regular starters in 2025 (same with Nowels who won't play next year.) So just a stretch to say the 2025 defense went to WSU and I would say it's also a stretch to say the defenders that went to WSU are possession-based.
WSU's defense was not great last year so these former Griz will be huge for them to help bolster a back line that had several season ending injuries to their GK'ers and their 7-year player who will be a starter on the back line if she returns.
I'd also question the idea that WSU defense has been horrible for years. Last year yes, but before that they were pretty damn good and they've produced some really good defensive players in recent years. Nadia Cooper -one of the best GK'ers in Pac12 for 5 years. They had Tappan in 2024 and Mace 2025 who are both playing pro now. So the statement seemed pretty out of touch to me.
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Original comment was an observation on style of play and the end results—not about specific players. Not sure how that is out of touch & a slight?

Defense was pretty much impenetrable -as was the Griz defense in ‘25 (‘24 & ‘23). Offense was a constant attack & an open shooting gallery in the final third, as I remember from WSU in the past. (Brisendine & Slater were probably part of that attack - but idk, as there were no printed rosters for that game to quickly refer to). As much as I love the Griz, taking shots & scoring multiple goals has not been their strong suit in recent years.

You obviously know more players than me & have the historical data. I described the game I saw with my own (admittedly)
non-expert, two eyes because there seemed to be a lot of curiosity around WSU. Maybe you could drive to Pullman tomorrow for the WSU v Idaho game and report your thoughts? 😆
All in good-fun fan banter. Go Griz!
 
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neon90 said:
From options I've seen listed so far, my targets might be:

GK:
Sienna Smart from Michigan OR
Hannah Dike-Lawlor from Queens
-
CB:
Kylie Briscoe from Colorado State
Madisyn Marchesi from NAU
-
Defenders/OB/Misc
Chloe Nugent from Michigan
Sydnee Maxwell from DePaul
Chloe Shimkin from Texas
-
Fwd (would like to see more options for sure - hard to tell level of competition except DePaul player)
1) Katelyn Jamie from DePaul
-
Ella Spiller from Lutheran Christian
Avery Mondoux from Nicholls State
Lauren Hardy from West Georgia
Brooke Viccars from UTSA
Camilia Palacios from Arkansas
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Nice list. Montana probably just needs to bypass to-be sophomores. Roster already looks heavy there, and that is only compounded by the incoming freshman. If the numbers are right, Montana has nine incoming freshmen, two redshirt freshmen, and seven to-be sophomores. That gets them to 18. Add two to-be juniors and two to-be seniors, and Montana is at 22, leaving six open spots.

As listed, Montana has two goalies, two center backs, three outside backs, 11 midfielders, and four forwards. From the to-be junior / to-be senior ranks, it seems like the needs would be a goalie, an outside back, two center backs, and two forwards. The outside back could come from the junior group, and Montana could always slide a midfielder back if needed. At center back, one to-be junior and one to-be senior would make sense. Up top, adding a to-be junior and a to-be senior also seems to fit. No more midfielders. All just a guess from the outside.

From your list, along with a quick search, a few reels, and sticking with the to-be junior / to-be senior transfer theme, Smart, Briscoe, Shimkin, and Jamie make sense, with reels and then résumés supporting them, other than maybe Smart whose choice was based on class and current goalies' classes. Then round it out with a to-be senior center back and a to-be senior forward. Anyone have thoughts on the list, or the class breakdowns, just to get some discussion going? I am sure more solid transfer names will appear.

No idea how it all shakes out, but Montana looks to have a strong group already there and another strong group coming in, and I am sure Montana will show well. Very glad Coach Gore and Coach Jay are the ones sorting through it, because I am fairly sure my hair would disappear quickly, and likely never return, in their shoes.
 
neon90 said:
From options I've seen listed so far, my targets might be:

GK:
Sienna Smart from Michigan OR
Hannah Dike-Lawlor from Queens
-
CB:
Kylie Briscoe from Colorado State
Madisyn Marchesi from NAU
-
Defenders/OB/Misc
Chloe Nugent from Michigan
Sydnee Maxwell from DePaul
Chloe Shimkin from Texas
-
Fwd (would like to see more options for sure - hard to tell level of competition except DePaul player)
1) Katelyn Jamie from DePaul
-
Ella Spiller from Lutheran Christian
Avery Mondoux from Nicholls State
Lauren Hardy from West Georgia
Brooke Viccars from UTSA
Camilia Palacios from Arkansas
Click to expand...

neon90 said:
From options I've seen listed so far, my targets might be:

GK:
Sienna Smart from Michigan OR
Hannah Dike-Lawlor from Queens
-
CB:
Kylie Briscoe from Colorado State
Madisyn Marchesi from NAU
-
Defenders/OB/Misc
Chloe Nugent from Michigan
Sydnee Maxwell from DePaul
Chloe Shimkin from Texas
-
Fwd (would like to see more options for sure - hard to tell level of competition except DePaul player)
1) Katelyn Jamie from DePaul
-
Ella Spiller from Lutheran Christian
Avery Mondoux from Nicholls State
Lauren Hardy from West Georgia
Brooke Viccars from UTSA
Camilia Palacios from Arkansas
Click to expand...
Griz singed another class of 2027, which may limit how many players they can sign from the portal.
 
GrizLars said:
Original comment was an observation on style of play and the end results—not about specific players. Not sure how that is out of touch & a slight?

Defense was pretty much impenetrable -as was the Griz defense in ‘25 (‘24 & ‘23). Offense was a constant attack & an open shooting gallery in the final third, as I remember from WSU in the past. (Brisendine & Slater were probably part of that attack - but idk, as there were no printed rosters for that game to quickly refer to). As much as I love the Griz, taking shots & scoring multiple goals has not been their strong suit in recent years.

You obviously know more players than me & have the historical data. I described the game I saw with my own (admittedly)
non-expert, two eyes because there seemed to be a lot of curiosity around WSU. Maybe you could drive to Pullman tomorrow for the WSU v Idaho game and report your thoughts? 😆
All in good-fun fan banter. Go Griz!
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Got it! Thanks for the clarification.
More and more interesting players entering the portal so hopefully we can land a few game changers. I don't think the recent 2027 commit should impact things for this season, we should try to fill the roster each season. 2027 - if Stu over committed, then it needs to be addressed after this fall season, but every year, unfortunately, there will be injuries, or players that just don't work out, etc. I personally would look to fill the roster.
How many 2027 commits are there? Rai (GK) and Arancibia from Portland?
 
The new 2027 commit is Vega Arancibia, another player from Jesuit High in Portland, which finished the 2025 season undefeated and ranked the #3 girls high school team in the nation. Jo Frischknecht was captain of that team and led Jesuit in assists on both the 2024 and 2025 state championship teams - as an outside back (searched OSAA stats).
 
IDGrizFan said:
Got it! Thanks for the clarification.
More and more interesting players entering the portal so hopefully we can land a few game changers. I don't think the recent 2027 commit should impact things for this season, we should try to fill the roster each season. 2027 - if Stu over committed, then it needs to be addressed after this fall season, but every year, unfortunately, there will be injuries, or players that just don't work out, etc. I personally would look to fill the roster.
How many 2027 commits are there? Rai (GK) and Arancibia from Portland?
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The other 2027 who committed in December, not sure if still committed is Elizabeth Proulx from Montreal,
 
WAGrizFan said:
The new 2027 commit is Vega Arancibia, another player from Jesuit High in Portland, which finished the 2025 season undefeated and ranked the #3 girls high school team in the nation. Jo Frischknecht was captain of that team and led Jesuit in assists on both the 2024 and 2025 state championship teams - as an outside back (searched OSAA stats).
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Griz will have fast and athletic OB/wingbacks who put pressure on the defense with 2026 and 2027 players
 
MontanaGrizSoccer said:
Griz will have fast and athletic OB/wingbacks who put pressure on the defense with 2026 and 2027 players
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Defense and their ability hold / move is looking good. I think all will be happy with players across the pitch, even absent more transfers, say maybe a goalie and another CB - don't see OBs or Mids with CB ability.

Watched a few clips and reels on the incoming, saw all Montana games from '23, '24, '25, and a few from before. Incoming players, especially midfielder and defense, play well beyond their age - and starting better that many past player starts - in awareness and smarts and will compete vs. the upper class quite well.

Did any of the prior 2027 commits stay, or did all do other? I think there were three before the coach change. Seems a bit late for 2027 searching, as 2028 opens in a couple months.
 
T
IDGrizFan said:
Got it! Thanks for the clarification.
More and more interesting players entering the portal so hopefully we can land a few game changers. I don't think the recent 2027 commit should impact things for this season, we should try to fill the roster each season. 2027 - if Stu over committed, then it needs to be addressed after this fall season, but every year, unfortunately, there will be injuries, or players that just don't work out, etc. I personally would look to fill the roster.
How many 2027 commits are there? Rai (GK) and Arancibia from Portland?
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GrizVibes said:
Defense and their ability hold / move is looking good. I think all will be happy with players across the pitch, even absent more transfers, say maybe a goalie and another CB - don't see OBs or Mids with CB ability.

Watched a few clips and reels on the incoming, saw all Montana games from '23, '24, '25, and a few from before. Incoming players, especially midfielder and defense, play well beyond their age - and starting better that many past player starts - in awareness and smarts and will compete vs. the upper class quite well.

Did any of the prior 2027 commits stay, or did all do other? I think there were three before the coach change. Seems a bit late for 2027 searching, as 2028 opens in a couple months.
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I only know of two 2027s that committed in December 2025, both from Montreal Canada area, one was goalie and was a CB. Not sure if both are still committed. There was a 2008 goalie that went to WSU.

Do the Griz have any designated student athletes, they wont count against the roster cap if they do.
 
Notable Portal Entries so far today

Alysiah Lockette - Baylor University - FWD- Incoming Jr
Emma Fassora -Penn State - CB - Incoming Sop - From Colorado
Olivia Leonard - Utah Tech - CM/FWD- Incoming Sop
Kiley Johnson - UC Upstate - CB - Incoming Sr
Laila Roberson - Clayton State - Winder/FWD - Incoming Jr
 
MontanaGrizSoccer said:
T



I only know of two 2027s that committed in December 2025, both from Montreal Canada area, one was goalie and was a CB. Not sure if both are still committed. There was a 2008 goalie that went to WSU.

Do the Griz have any designated student athletes, they wont count against the roster cap if they do.
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I asked that question on a different forum topic thread a while ago (deadline was July 2025 for most Fall sports).

Answer I received was that Chris opted to designate 3 upperclassmen (who have now graduated) and 2 underclassmen, 1 being Whalen (now on IR at WSU) and possibly a forward (slater or Thorne-Thomson). I don’t think list is public—players were either verbally told, or can look up their status with their athlete number on ncaa.com

Seemed short sighted to me at the time. Why not designate all younger players with more years of eligibility? But I guess he just wanted to expedite getting to the 28 player roster.

Anybody know if “designated player” status transfers with a player when they move schools?

Would definitely make them more attractive in the portal if so
 
GrizLars said:
I asked that question on a different forum topic thread a while ago (deadline was July 2025 for most Fall sports).

Answer I received was that Chris opted to designate 3 upperclassmen (who have now graduated) and 2 underclassmen, 1 being Whalen (now on IR at WSU) and possibly a forward (slater or Thorne-Thomson). I don’t think list is public—players were either verbally told, or can look up their status with their athlete number on ncaa.com

Seemed short sighted to me at the time. Why not designate all younger players with more years of eligibility? But I guess he just wanted to expedite getting to the 28 player roster.

Anybody know if “designated player” status transfers with a player when they move schools?

Would definitely make them more attractive in the portal if so
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Yes, the designated status transfers with the player, It would be big selling point.
 
This may seem a silly question to most, but what happened to the Griz soccer social media presence? It went from top tier to meh in 2026

Totally get that Coach Gore & team have more important tasks at hand, but as a dad of a ‘28 recruit, I can confirm that instagram, tik tok, X et al have become critical in recruiting. Players talk to a coach and first thing they do is get all over their socials & vice versa. Griz soccer used to be elite at using SM to promote Missoula, UM, and the soccer style, players & personality of the team.

For reference, compare the most recent instagram posts from @MontanaGrizSoc to those of @wsucougarsoccer, @boisestate soccer @wsusoccer (Weber)

Again, to those of you not carpooling several 16/17 yo ECNL players to practice every night, this may seem ridiculous

But it is an easy fix - and FREE if there is a marketing intern to manage it. Just putting it out there in case someone is listening 🤷🏽
 
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