VILLANOVA, Pa. — Villanova forward Ava Borkowski has been named Preseason BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year, the conference announced Wednesday (Aug. 19) in its field hockey preseason poll and awards. Additionally, Borkowski was named to the preseason All-BIG EAST Team for the second consecutive season, the Wildcats picked to finish fifth in the coaches' poll. 

Since arriving to the mainline, Borkowski has been a big factor offensively. In her first season, she compiled double-digit goals and was second on the team in points. She followed that up by leading the team in goals (9), points (18) and shots (37) to go along with a .676 shots-on-goal percentage. The performance earned Borkowski BIG EAST Co-Offensive Player of the Year and All-BIG EAST First team.

The award selection marks the most recent Wildcat to receive Preseason Player of the Year honors since Meghan Mitchell took home Preseason Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2024. 

Borkowski has climbed up the record books as she enters her third season with Villanova. The Conshohocken native is tied for eighth all-time in career hat tricks, 12th in career goals per game, with a .54 mark, tied for 21th all-time for career multi-goal games and tied for 16th all-time in career games with five or more points.

Villanova begins the 2026 season on Friday, August 28 on the road at Buckley Field in Philadelphia against Delaware. Conference play opens on Friday, September 18 when the Wildcats head up to Storrs, Conn. to face UConn.


2026 BIG EAST Field Hockey Poll and Awards:

BIG EAST Preseason Field Hockey Coaches' Poll
 (First-Place Votes)     Pts

 
Preseason BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year
Ava Borkowski, F, Villanova

Preseason BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year
Dara Semmartin, D, Liberty *
 
Preseason BIG EAST Midfielder of the Year
Bo Martina, M, Providence
 
Preseason BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year
Diane Saint Martin, GK, Liberty *
 
Preseason All-BIG EAST Team ^
Fien Hollander, D, UConn
Natalie McKenna, GK, UConn
Elena Perez Alejandro, M, Georgetown
Dara Semmartin, D, Liberty *
Diane Saint Martin, GK, Liberty *
Josefina Tomasi, F, Liberty
Julieta Tornati, D, Liberty
Josie Painter, F, ODU
Serena Langendoen, D, ODU *
Bo Martina, M, Providence *
Carly van Benten, F, Providence
Lucia Magro, M, Temple
Ava Borkowski, F, Villanova

*Unanimous Selection
^13 members on the Preseason All-BIG EAST Team due to a tie in the voting.