Good Morning, Bronco Nation! It's game day as soccer season starts tonight! Boise State opens 2026 against CSUN at 7 p.m. MT at Boas Soccer Complex, and the Broncos enter with serious momentum: Ava de Leest, Madie Donovan, and Sophie Schmautz were all named to the Pac-12 Preseason Impact List, with Boise State picked to finish third in the conference's preseason poll.

De Leest swept Mountain West Defensive Player and Newcomer of the Year honors as a freshman and Donovan led all Bronco freshmen with three goals.

🎟️ Tickets here!
📖 Full Game Preview

What else is mixed into today’s edition of Good Morning, Bronco Nation?

🏈 Service & Success
🏟️ Follow Along
🔹 And so much more!

🔼 Leadership Boost. Boise State Athletics is strengthening its leadership team! Matt Mayer, senior associate athletic director and chief financial officer, and Tyler Whitmer, senior associate athletic director for performance and culture, have been elevated to the department's leadership team as Bronco Athletics prepares for its next chapter in the Pac-12. Mayer, who joined in 2016, oversees the department's financial strategy, while Whitmer leads men's basketball sport performance and culture-building across all 18 programs.

🔼 EmpowHER Returns. EmpowHER Play by Maddyn Homes is back! Learn more.

🔼 Lombardi Look. Jayden Virgin-Morgan's preseason recognition keeps piling up! The fifth-year Boise State EDGE was named to the Lombardi Award Preseason Watchlist, one of 54 players and the only Pac-12 representative for the honor that recognizes college football's most outstanding lineman or linebacker.

🔼 Service and Success. Maddux Madsen's impact goes far beyond The Blue! The Boise State quarterback was named to the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watch List, honoring the player who best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement. A BroncoBOLD student-athlete ambassador, Madsen visited local elementary schools during National Suicide Prevention Week and organized a toy drive supporting foster children in the Treasure Valley.

🔼 Foothills Club Founded. A signature gathering space is coming to the North End Zone! Boise State Athletics announced an expanded partnership with First Federal Bank, which becomes the naming rights partner of the First Federal Bank Foothills Club, a 5,700-square-foot indoor-outdoor venue debuting at the home opener against Memphis on Sept. 12.

Featuring a 30-foot bar, all-inclusive food menu, and outstanding sight lines through industrial-style garage doors, the club embodies Boise State's "Front Porch of Idaho" spirit. First Federal Bank will also present the Blue Chaos Flag, one of Albertsons Stadium's most meaningful traditions!

🔼 Follow Along. Are you following Albertsons Stadium on social media yet?

🔼 Seat Policy Update. Heads up before you head to The Blue! Boise State Athletics has adjusted its chair back policy at Albertsons Stadium starting with the 2026 season: all foldable seats and cushions must be no wider than 18 inches, contain no metal frames or pockets, and cannot be brought in within a cover or bag. The change supports faster entry times and preserves seat integrity for neighboring fans. Season-long chair back rentals are available for $90 per seat, and fans with non-conforming chair backs can check them free of charge at bag check locations outside the stadium!

Which goalie has the most career shutouts in Boise State women’s soccer history?

Got a guess? Scroll down for the answer reveal!

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*All times in MT unless otherwise listed

Wednesday, August 12
⚽ Soccer vs. CSUN @ 7 p.m.

Sunday, August 16
⚽ Soccer @ Weber State @ 7 p.m. (Ogden, Utah)

Thursday, August 20
⚽ Soccer @ SMU - TBA (Dallas, Texas)

Saturday, August 23
⚽ Soccer @ Texas Tech @ 7 p.m. (Lubbock, Texas)

Friday, August 28
🏐 Volleyball vs. UNC Asheville (Host) (Asheville, N.C.) | Watch

Saturday, August 29
🏐 Volleyball vs. UNC Asheville (Host) (Asheville, N.C.) | Watch

🔷 Go here to view the entire Boise State Athletics Calendar

Answer: Genevieve Crenshaw (29).

🔷 Have a great Wednesday, Bronco Nation, and enjoy the game!