CEDAR CITY, Utah - Southern Utah freshman forward Ashlyn O'Malley was named the Big Sky Conference Freshman of the Year and a First Team All-Big Sky selection, the league announced Tuesday. Senior defender Nao Yasuda earned All-Big Sky Honorable Mention.
O'Malley is the first Thunderbird to win Big Sky Freshman of the Year, an award the league began presenting in 2023, and the first SUU player to win one of the Big Sky's major end-of-season awards since MaKenzie Lawrence claimed the Golden Boot in 2019.
O'Malley: A Program First
A native of Rogers, Minn., O'Malley led the Thunderbirds with seven goals and 16 points, both tied for third in a season in program history. Her seven goals tied for second in the Big Sky, and she ranked tied for third in the league with 0.39 goals per match.
She was at her best in conference play, scoring five of SUU's six Big Sky goals. Her five conference goals tied for third in the league, and her 11 conference points ranked fourth.
O'Malley scored the game-winner in the 53rd minute of the 1-0 win against Portland State on Oct. 4, SUU's first Big Sky victory since returning to the conference. She then scored in three straight Big Sky matches, against Northern Arizona (Oct. 15), Northern Colorado (Oct. 18) and at Eastern Washington (Oct. 22). In the 3-2 win in Cheney, Wash., she had five points, scoring in the 10th minute, assisting Gracen Blieschke's goal in the 17th and scoring the game-winner at 83:32.
O'Malley appeared in all 18 matches with 10 starts, finished with two game-winning goals and two assists, and put 16 of her 23 shots on goal.
She is SUU's second First Team All-Big Sky pick, joining Lawrence (2019), and the first Thunderbird named to the first team as a freshman.
"These awards for Ashlyn are both incredible accomplishments and are well earned," head coach Steven Lindquist said. "To be the first Thunderbird to win this award is a testament to the work ethic and desire she brings to this team and sets the standard for where we believe this program is headed. It reflects her work rate and talent, and we are excited to see what the future holds!"
Yasuda Anchors the Back Line
Yasuda, from Osaka, Japan, led SUU with 1,489 minutes in 2026, starting all 18 matches and playing the full 90 minutes 10 times. She anchored a defense that allowed 26 goals, 22 fewer than in 2025 and tied for the fifth-fewest in program history, and posted five shutouts.
In two seasons at SUU, Yasuda started all 35 matches she played, closing her career with 23 consecutive starts. She had four assists in 2025, sharing the team lead.
"Nao's award is a great accomplishment, as she has continued to set the standard for us for the past few seasons in terms of stability in the back line," Lindquist said. "Having her level of calm consistency was a huge piece of our success in the back, as she led the team in minutes played and has helped us have one of the best statistical seasons defensively."
SUU's All-Big Sky History
O'Malley and Yasuda join a list of Thunderbirds honored by the Big Sky:
- Golden Boot: MaKenzie Lawrence (2019)
- First Team All-Big Sky: MaKenzie Lawrence (2019), Ashlyn O'Malley (2026)
- Second Team All-Big Sky: Abbie Flandro (2014), Ally Thimsen (2016), MaKenzie Lawrence (2018)
2026 Season
The Thunderbirds finished 5-10-3 overall and 2-5-2 in the Big Sky in Lindquist's first season. SUU scored 30 goals, second-most in program history, including a program-record 18-0 win against Justice on Sept. 6.
2026 Big Sky Women's Soccer Awards
Offensive MVP: Lily Blum, Weber State Co-Defensive MVP: Brooklyn Jones, Northern Arizona; Mia Norman, Northern Colorado Goalkeeper of the Year: Lauren Butorac, Weber State Freshman of the Year: Ashlyn O'Malley, Southern Utah Co-Top Newcomer: Aliya Garrett, Idaho State; Brooklyn Jones, Northern Arizona; Thordis Melsted, Northern Colorado Golden Boot: Lily Blum, Weber State Coach of the Year: Tim Barrera, Northern Colorado
First Team GK: Lauren Butorac, Weber State D: Izzy Thoma, Idaho D: Mia Norman, Northern Colorado D: Ava Talaeai, Utah Tech D: Bella Sackett, Weber State M: Micala Boex, Northern Arizona M: Valerie Llamas, Northern Arizona M: Ava Marshall, Northern Colorado M: Simone Packer, Weber State F: Maddie Mori, Northern Colorado F: Ashlyn O'Malley, Southern Utah F: Lily Blum, Weber State F: Oakley Anderson, Weber State
Second Team GK: Lexi Saveski, Northern Arizona D: Miranda Goldner, Idaho D: Brooklyn Jones, Northern Arizona D: Francesca Jones, Northern Colorado D: Amanda Caswell, Weber State M: Hallie Prinos-Grumbach, Idaho M: Mia Boltz, Idaho M: Lauryn Maggio, Northern Colorado M: Grace Sarabia, Portland State F: Saydree Cooke, Idaho State F: Ava Hinske, Northern Arizona F: Ella Rusick, Utah Tech F: Lataya Brost, Utah Tech
Honorable Mention GK: Paula Flores, Idaho D: Iris Mattern, Eastern Washington D: Mirabella Bickham, Idaho D: Gracie East, Idaho State D: Madison Schnek, Northern Arizona D: Nao Yasuda, Southern Utah D: Kenadee Godderidge, Weber State M: Riley Roesch, Eastern Washington M: Maya Bossenbrook, Eastern Washington M: Amanda Brayton, Idaho State M: Kristen Puels, Northern Arizona F: Bonnie Buswell, Weber State
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