Montana Griz Soccer 2025 Preview: Big Sky Title Hopes

Meet the Griz is a series where we tell the stories of Montana Grizzlies athletes, coaches and contributors.

Meet the Griz: The 2025 Montana Grizzlies Soccer Team

Grizzly Soccer Head Coach Chris Citowicki enters year 8 at the helm. Coming off back-to-back Big Sky Regular Season Championships, expectations are high for the Griz.

Can they break through? Can they reach the NCAA Tournament and win the Big Sky Tournament again?

"My overall grade on us, four days into pre-season, would probably be a B- or C+," said Citowicki on where his team stands right now.

Compared to last season, "This is well ahead of schedule," said Citowicki.

Credit: University of Montana Athletics

But, the expectations are lofty, and Citowicki expects to be at an A.

If they're to repeat as Big Sky Champs, the Griz will have to fill in some holes on the roster.

"The question for me is 'Who's going to be scoring the goals this year?" asked Citowicki.

Chloe Seelhoff and Kayla Rendon Bushmaker return as goal scorers from last year, but Citowicki asks, "Who's the other one that steps up with them?"

There is plenty of experience in the "spine of the team" with Ally Henrickson, Maddie Ditta, and Seelhoff.

The goalkeeper position is as good as it gets. The Grizzlies have 2 elite keepers in Ashlynn Dvorak and Bayliss Flynn.

"In goal, is it Bayliss? Is it Ashlynn? Nobody knows. Similar to a Griz quarterback position, it's like we're trying to find out who our goalkeeper is, and I have no idea."

It's a good problem to have on one hand. Two years ago, Dvorak had one of the best goalkeeper seasons across the country, but went down with a broken hand last season.

Flynn stepped in and posted the NCAA's best save percentage (92.5).

Citowicki and staff have two outstanding goalkeepers with high-motor work ethics.

That is the #1 storyline entering the season.

Listen to the full conversation with Citowicki on the Daily Drive with Ace Sauerwein.