A Fresh Start in Missoula
Montana’s soccer program kicked off preseason training with a new head coach at the helm. Stu Gore, who previously guided Northwestern Ohio to an NAIA national championship in 2016, arrived with a clear mandate: shift the team toward a possession‑oriented style built on quick, crisp passing.
Gore will be supported by associate coach J Landham, who remains with the program to preserve continuity in goalkeeping development. The coaching duo hopes the blend of fresh ideas and institutional knowledge will smooth the transition after Chris Citowicki’s departure to Washington State University, where he now leads the Cougars.
Captain Lucie Rokos, one of the few returning stalwarts, expressed confidence in the new system. Her leadership, combined with the energy of the incoming roster, is seen as a cornerstone for a squad that will field nearly 70 percent new faces compared to last season.
The roster overhaul reflects both ambition and necessity. While the team enjoyed four Big Sky tournament titles under Citowicki, the departure of the former coach opened space for fresh talent. Rokos and her teammates are focused on integrating the newcomers quickly, aiming to transform diversity of experience into on‑field cohesion.
The season’s first test arrives on August 13, when Montana faces Bucknell in its opening match. Coach Gore has stressed that the true measure of progress will be how the team performs in October, when conference play intensifies and the championship picture sharpens.
If the early signs are any indication, the Grizzlies are poised to blend tradition with innovation. With a clear tactical identity, experienced leadership, and a commitment to peaking at the right moment, the team hopes to add another chapter to its recent dominance of the Big Sky.