Eastern Washington women’s soccer enters the 2025 season with momentum, confidence, and unfinished business. After being picked near the bottom of the Big Sky Conference last year, the Eagles shocked many by finishing third, proving they can hang with the best, and potentially be the best, in the BSC. For Head Coach Missy Strasburg, now entering her fifth season at the helm, the progress is clear—but so is the work ahead.
Strasburg, a Spokane native and Gonzaga alum, has molded Eastern into a contender by emphasizing adaptability and accountability. Her ability to tailor her coaching to different personalities has been a hallmark of the team’s growth and an area she said she’s improved most from a coaching perspective.
“Coaching individuals the way they need to be coached is the most important thing,” she said. “It’s about being fluid and meeting players where they are. Some need quiet direction, others need fire—it’s my job to provide that.”
From Underdogs to Contenders
The Eagles’ 2024 campaign was a breakthrough, even if the ending still stings. In their first conference tournament appearance since 2019, Eastern fell in heartbreaking fashion to Portland State in the opening round of the Big Sky Tournament, 7–6, after 110 minutes of hard-fought play. Senior Grace Terrill gave Eastern the early lead, and goalkeeper Kamryn Willoughby recorded 10 saves to keep the Eagles alive. But in the end, the cruel nature of PKs cut the season short.
“Having such an incredible season end in PKs is absolutely gut-wrenching,” Strasburg said afterward. “But our women put everything they had into that tournament quarterfinal and we are deeply proud of their effort and commitment to each other.”
Despite the early exit, the program took a massive step forward. Eastern finished 9-5-5 overall and 4-1-3 in Big Sky play, a +7 win improvement from 2023—the largest single-season turnarounds in program history. That momentum has carried over into 2025, with the Eagles picked second in the Big Sky Preseason Coaches’ Poll, just behind Montana:
Preseason Coaches’ Poll
1. Montana (6) – 60
2. Eastern Washington (2) – 52
3. Idaho – 49
T4. Northern Arizona – 39
T4. Sacramento State (1) – 39
6. Weber State – 27
7. Northern Colorado – 26
8. Portland State – 22
9. Idaho State – 10
() – Indicates Number of First-Place Votes
Experience Returns in Full Force
Eastern returns 17 players, including eight starters, and welcomes 12 newcomers. A large senior class that arrived in 2022 now anchors the roster.
At the forefront is Chloe Pattison, last season’s Big Sky Co-Offensive MVP and now the league’s Preseason MVP for 2025. Pattison led the Big Sky with 11 goals in 2024 and was the only Eagle named to the Preseason All-Conference Team:
FWD: Chloe Pattison, EWU (Preseason MVP)
FWD: Micala Boex, NAU
FWD: Aliayha Saldana, PSU
MID: Annika Farley, UI
MID: Chloe Seelhoff, UM
MID: Maddie Ditta, UM
MID: Ellie Farber, SAC
DEF: Izzy Thoma, UI
DEF: Ally Henrikson, UM
DEF: Liv Frazier, PSU
DEF: Sydney Sharts, SAC
GK: Bayliss Flynn, UM
“Chloe is a player who has grown tremendously,” Strasburg said. “She has all the accolades, but she’ll be the first to tell you that it’s not just about her. She thrives because of the moving pieces around her. She’s an incredible finisher, but also someone who sets the tone with her energy.”
For Pattison, last season was a breakout year, emerging as the leading goal scored for the Eagles and the conference: “In my first couple years I felt so much pressure, like I had to perform or I wasn’t good enough,” she admitted. “Last year I just focused on enjoying every game. I reminded myself—this is just soccer, I’ve been playing since I was five years old. I know how to score goals, and I know how to make an impact.”
That shift in mindset paid off, not only in her own numbers but in the team’s chemistry. “It all just clicked,” Pattison said. “Everyone was contributing—Kendall was scoring, Laney was scoring, even Riley from the back line got involved. It was so fun to see everyone sharing in the success.”
As a senior, Pattison is embracing both the excitement and the bittersweet emotions of her final season. “It’s crazy to think this is probably my last year ever playing competitive soccer,” she said. “It’s bittersweet, but it also motivates me. I want to end my career on a bang. Our goal is two rings—regular season and tournament. And personally, I’d love to not just be Co-MVP again, but the MVP outright.”
Alongside Pattison up top is Laney Walker, a tireless forward who does the “dirty work” to create space and chances. “Laney doesn’t always get the spotlight in the stat sheet,” Strasburg noted, “but she’s absolutely vital for us. The gritty work she does makes us successful.”
In goal, Kamryn Willoughby anchors the defense. Strasburg believes she is one of the most underrated goalkeepers in the conference: “The saves Cam makes are truly spectacular. She’s one of the hardest working players I’ve ever coached—always asking for more reps, always wanting to be pushed.”
The back line is led by Becca Gaido and Iris Mattern, a center-back tandem Strasburg believes ranks among the best in the conference. “Becca is a vocal leader and a rock at the back. Iris brings a complementary skillset—calm, composed, technical. Together, they’re as good as any pairing in the league.”
Fullbacks Riley Arribas and Ryanne Ampi aren’t just defenders but key contributors to Eastern’s attack. “They bring so much more than defense,” Strasburg said. “Their involvement in the attacking third is critical. Riley scored multiple goals last year, and the team is already invested in helping Ryanne find her first before she graduates.”
Eastern also gets an unexpected gift in Charity Freeman, who chose to return for a fifth year. “That was like a Christmas present for us,” Strasburg laughed. “She’s our best pressing wide player and a great example for the younger ones.”
Player Spotlights
FWD: Chloe Pattison (Sr.)
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2024 Big Sky Co-Offensive MVP, 2025 Preseason MVP
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Led the Big Sky with 11 goals last season
GK: Kamryn Willoughby (Sr.)
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Recorded 225 career saves, one of the best totals in program history
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Had 10 saves in last year’s quarterfinal match vs. Portland State
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Quote: Strasburg: “The saves Cam makes are truly spectacular. She’s one of the hardest working players I’ve ever coached.”
DEF: Becca Gaido (Sr.)
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Logged 1,709 minutes last season, most on the team, playing every minute of the final 16 matches
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Provides vocal leadership and toughness at center back
DEF: Iris Mattern (So.)
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Took over a starting role immediately as a freshman in 2024
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Poised and technical; complements Gaido’s physicality
FWD: Laney Walker (Sr.)
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Known for her tireless work rate and physical presence up front
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Quote: Strasburg: “She does the dirty work that doesn’t always show up on the stat sheet but makes us successful.”
MID: Dakota “Koko” Harris (So.)
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Transitioned into the holding midfield role after Elizabeth Cole’s graduation
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Quote: Strasburg: “Her competitiveness is probably in the top 2% of players I’ve coached. She’s special.”
MID: Charity Freeman (Gr.)
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Returning for a surprise fifth year after NCAA eligibility extension
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One of EWU’s best pressing wide players; also a strong leader and mentor
MID: Kendall Moore (Jr.)
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Anchors the attacking midfield position
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Creative playmaker with the ability to drive Eastern’s attack
Looking Ahead
The Eagles opened the season on Thursday, Aug. 14 at Seattle University, dropping in a 1-0 decision. Their home opener Sunday, Aug. 17 against Southern Utah at noon (streaming on ESPN+).
With experience, leadership, and momentum on their side, Eastern Washington enters 2025 not as an underdog, but as a legitimate contender.
As Strasburg put it: “We’re not asking for miracles—we just need to be three goals better. And that’s something we can control.”
More information: https://goeags.com/