The season hasn’t even kicked off yet, but Amber Youtz has already collected a Big East accolade.

The junior forward has been named to the Preseason All-Big East Team. She is one of four unanimous selections out of a vote conducted by the conference’s eight head coaches. The coaches were not allowed to vote for athletes on their team.

“We’re really proud of Amber for getting this honor,” head coach Amanda Janney said in a press release. “I’m glad the other Big East coaches recognized her accomplishments from last year, and we’re hoping she makes a name for herself in the new conference.”

Youtz scored 22 goals and 54 total points last season, taking the honor as the Atlantic 10’s Offensive Player of the Year and ranking seventh in goals for all of Division I field hockey.

A preseason poll was also released, which has Temple projected as sixth prior to their first year as an affiliate of the Big East.

Rutgers (fifth), Providence (fourth), Louisville (third), Old Dominion (second) and Connecticut (first) are all projected ahead of Temple, based on the coaches’ poll.

The Owls begin their season on Saturday at Geasey Field, where they will play Ohio State in the 2013 Conference Cup Tournament.