NEW YORK – Coming off its first appearance in the BIG EAST title game, Villanova women's lacrosse was picked to finish second in the 2026 BIG EAST Preseason Poll, as announced by the conference Tuesday afternoon.
Four Wildcats were named to the Preseason All-BIG EAST Team, led by unanimous selections
Rose Christie,
Elena Torres and
Emma Verhoest.
Leslie Iorio rounded out the group.
The Wildcats totaled 28 points to finish second in the poll. Villanova trailed first-place Denver, which earned six first-place votes, while UConn placed third, followed by Georgetown, Marquette, Butler and Xavier.
Christie was one of three unanimous selections to the preseason team following a standout rookie season that earned her All-BIG EAST First Team and BIG EAST All-Tournament honors. The junior midfielder totaled 25 points on 18 goals and seven assists, while adding 18 ground balls, 11 turnovers and 23 draw controls.
After earning All-BIG EAST Second Team honors last season, redshirt junior attacker Torres was selected to the preseason team following a 30-goal campaign. She dominated on free-position attempts, recording 13 free-position goals, the second most in a single season in Villanova history.
Junior Verhoest followed up an All-BIG EAST First Team selection last season with her second straight preseason honor. She also earned IWLCA Mid-Atlantic All-Region Second Team recognition after totaling a Villanova single season record 174 draw controls. She is also the program's all-time leader in draw controls per game (8.18).
Sophomore midfielder Iorio earned her first preseason All-BIG EAST nod after being named to the All-BIG EAST Second Team last year. Iorio appeared in all 18 games with 17 starts, totaling 30 goals in her debut season.
Villanova opens the 2026 season Sunday, Feb. 8, hosting Towson at 12 p.m. at Villanova Stadium.
BIG EAST Preseason Women's Lacrosse Coaches' Poll
First-place votes in ( )
1. Denver (6) 36 pts.
2. Villanova 28
3. UConn (1) 26
4. Georgetown 24
5. Marquette 16
6. Butler 11
7. Xavier 6
BIG EAST Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Olivia Ripple, A, Jr., Denver^
BIG EAST Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Abby Beran, D, Jr., UConn^
Preseason All-BIG EAST Team *
Abby Beran, D, Jr., UConn^
Rayea Davis, A, R-Sr., UConn^
Alex Dorr, DS, R-So., Denver^
Lexi Gwaku, GK, So. Denver
Megan Klingenberg, Sr., D- Denver^
Olivia Ripple, A, Jr., Denver^
Gracie Driggs, A, Sr., Georgetown^
Sophia Loschert, A, So., Georgetown
Kendall Steer, D, Sr., Georgetown
Hanna Bodner, M, Gr., Marquette^
Lauren Grady, M, Jr., Marquette
Tess Osburn, A, Sr., Marquette^
Mary Velner, D, Jr., Marquette
Rose Christie, M, Jr., Villanova^
Leslie Iorio, M, So., Villanova
Elena Torres, A, R-Jr., Villanova^
Emma Verhoest, DS, Jr., Villanova^
^denotes unanimous selection
*due to a tie, 17 players are on the All-BIG EAST Team
