Jocelyn Leigh, a junior forward for Marquette University's women's soccer team, has been selected to the 2026 Preseason All-BIG EAST Conference Team, a recognition that underscores her growing influence on the program.
The Golden Eagles, who finished the previous season with a 7-7-4 record, were slotted seventh in the BIG EAST preseason poll, a positioning that reflects both optimism and the competitive nature of the conference.
Preseason Landscape
Georgetown University captured the top spot with 98 points and eight first-place votes, followed closely by UConn in second with 89 points and Xavier in third with 78 points and a single first-place vote.
Creighton and Villanova rounded out the top five, while the remaining schools in the league await their turn to challenge the projected hierarchy.
Leigh's statistical footprint from the 2025 campaign includes 15 points, seven goals, one assist and 12 shots on frame, numbers that helped her become the first Golden Eagle since 2022 to earn an All-Conference nod.
Her performance not only placed her at the forefront of the team's attack but also marked a milestone for the program, signaling a potential shift in the squad's trajectory.
The preseason all-conference team comprises 13 members, a direct result of a tie in the voting process that forced the conference to expand the honors.
Alongside Leigh, teammates such as Elsi Twombly, Peyton Kohls, Lizzie Heller, Kaya Hanson and Hannah Dickinson are expected to contribute significantly as the Golden Eagles aim to climb beyond their seventh-place projection.
Looking Ahead
Marquette's coaching staff has emphasized continuity and development, hoping that the experience gained from the previous season will translate into a stronger showing when the schedule officially begins.
Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see whether the team can convert its preseason optimism into tangible results on the field.