Villanova University’s women’s soccer team entered the 2026 season with a buzz, earning three Preseason All‑BIG EAST selections that underscore the program’s rising profile.
Preseason Honors
Goalkeeper Hannah Dickinson was crowned Preseason BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year, capping a run that also saw her earn All‑BIG EAST Second Team accolades for the second straight year and a spot on the All‑East Region Third Team selected by the United Soccer Coaches.
Sophomore forward Avrie Nelsen and senior midfielder Gabby Koluch joined Dickinson on the Preseason All‑BIG EAST Team, each bringing a blend of youthful dynamism and veteran poise that helped Villanova finish the previous season with a 9‑8‑1 record, the best in six years.
The Wildcats were slotted fifth in the BIG EAST Coaches’ Poll with 66 points, marking the highest preseason projection for the program since 2013 when they were picked third. That optimism follows a 2025 campaign in which Villanova posted a 4‑5‑1 conference record and secured nine clean sheets anchored by Dickinson’s .964 goals‑against average and .802 save percentage.
Looking Ahead
Villanova will open its 2026 schedule against Syracuse on August 13 at 7 p.m., a match that could set the tone for a season in which the team hopes to translate preseason buzz into on‑field success. With a mix of returning standouts and fresh talent, the Wildcats aim to climb higher than fifth and perhaps rewrite a program narrative that has long been overshadowed by more prominent soccer powers.