NEW YORK, N.Y. – Villanova enters the 2023 season fresh off its first two BIG EAST titles, and the Wildcats will look to compete for a third in a row as one of the league favorites according to a preseason poll of the conference's head coaches released on Tuesday. Head coach Bridget Orchard's Villanova team was picked second in the 2023 BIG EAST Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll, finishing just behind DePaul and ahead of last year's runner-up Connecticut and the rest of the nine-team conference.

The league's head coaches listed their predicted order of finish in this year's standings, omitting their own squads. After a 32-win season last year and a second straight NCAA appearance, the 'Cats earned the most first place votes (four) but are projected second in the conference with 57 points to trail DePaul (58, three first place votes).

The coaches foresee a three-team race for the BIG EAST crown, with the Blue Demons (three), UConn (two) and Villanova splitting the first place votes. Just two points separate each of the three squads in the preseason poll, and Connecticut (56) finished 19 points ahead of fourth place Butler (37).

The rest of the poll included Creighton (34), Providence (30), Seton Hall (28), Georgetown (14) and St. John's (10). Last year's BIG EAST Championship saw the Wildcats take down one-seed UConn to capture the program's second straight conference title. 

The 'Cats will open their 2023 campaign on Friday, February 10 at the Texas State Tournament. The opening month also includes play at Auburn's Tiger Invitational, as well as the FAU "Strike Out Cancer" Tournament in Boca Raton. Over spring break, VU will head west for two contests each against Stanford and California before opening BIG EAST play at Georgetown.

Villanova's first home appearance comes from March 17-19 when Creighton comes to town. The home conference schedule consists of Connecticut (March 31-April 2), DePaul (April 21-23) and Providence (May 5-7), while the 'Cats visit Butler (April 6-8), St. John's (April 14-16) and Seton Hall (April 28-30).

The BIG EAST's top six teams in the regular season will qualify for the 2023 BIG EAST Softball Championship presented by Jeep, hosted this year in Storrs, Conn., at Burrill Family Field. The winner of the tournament will earn an automatic bid to the 64-team NCAA Championship field.

2023 BIG EAST Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll

1. DePaul (3)            58
2. Villanova (4)        57
3. UConn (2)            56
4. Butler                   37
5. Creighton             34
6. Providence           30
7. Seton Hall            28
8. Georgetown         14
9. St. John's             10