COLORADO SPRINGS, CO. — Villanova field hockey landed four players on this year's NFHCA Division 1 Watchlist for the upcoming 2026 season as announced on Thursday.

Forward Ava Borkowski, Forward Aimee Largoza, Defender Gemma Lysaght and Defender Molly Zimmerman each were selected by the NFCA as potential players to watch for weekly, regional and national awards throughout the season. For Borkowski, Lysaght and Zimmerman this marks their second consecutive season with being selected for the honor while this is Largoza's first nomination.

For Borkowski, she comes off a monster 2025 season in which she led the team in goals (nine), points (18) and shots (37) to go along with a .676 shots-on-goal percentage. The season performance earned Borkowski BIG EAST Co-Offensive Player of the Year and All-BIG EAST First team. Additionally, she was named Preseason BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year this offseason. The graduate student looks for another record breaking season as she climbs the rankings in Villanova history. 

The pair of Zimmerman and Lysaght make the watchlist for the second consecutive season after having strong seasons in 2025. For Zimmerman, she started 17 out of the 18 games for the Wildcats last season and totaled four assists on the season. For her partner, Lysaght, she totaled eight points, two goals and four assists during her junior campaign. The pair guided Villanova defensively and held the Wildcats' opponents to a .173 shot percentage.

As for Largoza, she broke onto the scene during her freshman season in 2025. The Downingtown, Pa. native appeared in every game off the bench for the 'Cats while notching her first career goal against LaSalle in addition to having a .600 shot on goal percentage. 

The four Wildcats as well as the entire Villanova field hockey team will begin the 2026 season on Friday, August 28 on the road at Buckley Field in Philadelphia against Delaware followed by a contest with La Salle on Sunday, August 30 at noon from the Proving Grounds in Conshohocken, Pa..