MISSOULA, Mont. — Montana entered the new season with much of its roster back, a group of newcomers added in and a coaching change after three straight Big Sky soccer championships.

The Grizzlies had won the league title in each of the past three seasons and became the first Big Sky program to pull that off. During that stretch, Montana went 18-1-5 in conference matches.

The biggest shift came on the sideline, where Stuart Gore took over the program. Players said they adjusted to the change and had started to embrace what he brought to the team.

“They’re different in, like, their style of play. I like the way H2 plays. It’s very possession based. So a lot of, like, quick passes, quick movements. And I think overall it’ll just like turn out to be a really pretty style of soccer. And hopefully you’ll get us far.” said Liv Thorne-Thomson.

Gore said he had quickly learned what the program demanded and how strongly winning shaped the team culture.

“I’ve learned what the Griz grind is, and you know, what everyone expects from you and what, this program expects and, and I really, you know, the culture of that they’ve really instilled in me that, you know, winning is one of their core values. I’ve been on teams that, that isn’t important, and I’ve been on teams that, that is the most important thing for them. And they normally win. The teams that don’t want to win, you know, isn’t one of their core values, doesn’t tend to have a lot of success” said Gore.

Newly appointed co-captain Lucie Rokos said the transition felt less like a major overhaul and more like a reset with a different voice leading the team.

“I wouldn’t say it’s like a lot different. It’s just like, it’s just like fresh energy. It’s kind of like I was with Chris for three years and I kind of like, kind of got to know his rhythms and the way things worked and all that stuff. With Stu, it’s just new. Like, I got to learn a whole new way of things, like a new coach, a new coaching staff. Except for Jay. so yeah, I just knew.” said Rokos.

Montana began the season chasing a fourth straight Big Sky championship with a roster that mixed returning experience and new faces under Gore.