WASHINGTON – The Georgetown University women's soccer team was selected as the preseason favorite in the BIG EAST Conference, earning the No. 1 spot in the league's preseason poll. The Hoyas received eight first-place votes, followed by UConn with two and Xavier with one.
 
Senior Kaya Hanson was named the BIG EAST Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, while junior Lizzie Heller earned BIG EAST Preseason Midfielder of the Year honors. Hanson and Heller were also both selected to the Preseason All-BIG EAST Team.
 
Hanson was a Second Team All-BIG EAST selection in 2025 after anchoring a Georgetown defense that recorded 13 shutouts. The standout defender also earned United Soccer Coaches All-East Region Second Team honors and was named to the BIG EAST All-Tournament Team.

Heller returns for her third season on the Hilltop after earning Second Team All-BIG EAST honors in 2025. The midfielder finished the season with three goals, four assists and 10 points.

Georgetown opens the 2026 season on Thursday, August 13, when the Hoyas welcome Fordham to the Hilltop. The matchup marks both the season opener and the home opener for GU.
 
BIG EAST Preseason Women's Soccer Coaches' Poll
(first-place votes)
1. Georgetown, 98 (8)
2. UConn, 89 (2)
3. Xavier, 78 (1)
4. Creighton, 73
5. Villanova, 66
6. Providence, 60
7. Marquette, 40
8. Butler, 39
9. St. John's, 28
10. DePaul, 19
11. Seton Hall, 15
 
Preseason BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year
Peyton Kohls, Xavier, Sr., F

Preseason BIG EAST Midfielder of the Year
Lizzie Heller, Georgetown, Jr., M
 
Preseason BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year
Kaya Hanson, Georgetown, Sr., D
 
Preseason BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year
Hannah Dickinson, Villanova, Sr., GK
 
Preseason All-BIG EAST Team *
Jocelyn Leigh, Marquette, Jr., F
Courtnee Pickles, Providence, So., F
Se-Hanna Mars, UConn, R-So., F
Avrie Nelsen, Villanova, So., F
Peyton Kohls, Xavier, Sr., F ^
Chloe Brecht, Butler, Jr., M
Lizzie Heller, Georgetown, Jr., M
Thaea Mouratidis, Providence, Gr., M
Anaya Johnson, UConn, Sr., M ^
Gabby Koluch, Villanova, Sr., M
Kaya Hanson, Georgetown, Sr., D

Brooklynn Miltenberger, Xavier, Sr., D
Hannah Dickinson, Villanova, Sr., GK
 
^ unanimous selection
* Due to a tie in voting, there are 13 members on the preseason team.