In a preseason poll among Big Sky Conference head coaches, Sacramento State received the least votes for most likely to win the Big Sky Conference. After finishing 2002 with a 1-5 record in Big Sky, it is not hard to understand why.

The Hornets scheduled tough opponents early in the season, hoping to build character and to have them ready to surprise Big Sky coaches, beginning Sunday at Portland State University.

In nine non-league games this season, the Hornets have faced three nationally ranked teams in Navy, Princeton, and the University of Utah.

They will find out soon if the challenges of the past five weeks have them battle tested or battle worn.

Sac State will open its Big Sky campaign against a Portland State team (5-5) coming off a seemingly miraculous 2002 season. The Vikings were the most improved team in the nation last season with a record of 13-5-4 (4-1-1 in Big Sky) after winning only one game in 2001.

They advanced to the Big Sky Championship game in 2002, before falling to Idaho State 1-0.

They are led by forward Jamie Blakesley, who has six goals in 2003. Goalkeeper Joell Giger led the Big Sky with 13 wins, while allowing just 0.88 goals per game in 2002.

Northern Arizona University struggled in 2002 finishing 5-13 overall (2-4 in Big Sky) and they continue to struggle so far this season with a record of 1-5-3. The Lumberjacks are led by senior Sierra Cristiano, whose 12 goals in 2002 gave her Big Sky Co-offensive Player of the Year honors. The defense ranked last in the conference alloweing 2.56 goals per game.

Weber State University finished 5-11-1 overall in 2002 (1-5 in Big Sky). Their lone conference win came against Northern Arizona. The Wildcats are 2-5-2 so far and are led by forward Krista Davis, who leads the team with two goals.

Davis was named Big Sky offensive player of the week for Sept. 9-14.

Idaho State University will look for their third straight Big Sky Championship in 2003. In 2002, they finished 13-6-1 overall and 5-1 in the Big Sky. The Bengals were the preseason choice to three-peat after receiving four of the seven first place votes in the coach’s poll. They are off to a 4-3-1 start this season.

Forward Stacy Allen entered the 2003 season with 19 career goals, including 11 last season.

Goalkeeper Shannon Boyle returns after posting 13 wins in 2002, including eight shutouts and a goals against average of just 0.48 in Big Sky competition.Eastern Washington University will enter Big Sky competition attempting to build on their best record, 7-11 overall, 3-3 Big Sky, in school history. The three conference wins were enough to earn them a spot in the postseason, but were defeated by Idaho State in the first round, 2-1.

However, the Eagles are off to a horrid start at 0-7-2 and have scored only four goals in nine games. Forward Traci Jellison, the school’s all-time career leader in goals, leads the offense.

The University of Montana finished 2002 with an 8-9-1 record (4-1-1 Big Sky). After claiming Big Sky championships in 1997, 1999, and 2000, the Grizzlies were defeated in the first round of the 2002 Big Sky tournament by Portland State 1-0.

The Grizzlies are led by junior midfielder Jamie Rizzuto and sophomore goalkeeper Sarah Braseth.

The four best teams in the Big Sky Conference will meet at the Big Sky Tournament playoffs on Nov.6-9. The team with the best record in conference play will host the tournament.