Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Field Hockey Gears up for Home Opener
8/22/2006 8:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Aug. 22, 2006
LEWISBURG - The Bucknell field hockey team kicks off their 2006 season against the Robert Morris Colonials in their home opener on Graham Field on Saturday, Aug 26. This marks the first time in school history the teams have met. The Bison finished last season 8-10, (4-1 PL) while the Colonials finished 3-13, (2-6 NEC).
Bucknell is coming off a second place finish in the 2005 Patriot League regular season and fell to Holy Cross in a 3-1 battle in the Patriot League Tournament semifinals. This year, Bucknell was picked to finish third in the Patriot League behind 2005 Patriot League champion and runner-up American and Holy Cross, while Colgate, Lehigh, and Lafayette round out the Patriot League preseason poll respectively.
Bucknell returns eight starters led by senior Alex Kyzmir and sophomores Amanda Faust and Steph Graf who were named All-Patriot League performers last season.
Kyzmir, a first team PL performer, recorded seven goals and 10 assists for a team high 24 points and landed her eighth in the PL in 2005. Her 10 assists was also a team best and ranks her second all-time in career assist in Bison history.
Faust, a second team 2005 PL performer, was third ranked third in both goals and assists and tied her second for 18 points for the Bison. She ranked sixth in the nation in defensive saves with six. Faust also earned PL rookie of the week honors grabbing nine interceptions and two tackles last year.
Graf, also a second team PL performer, is part of the defensive core that let up only nine goals to PL opponents. She also received PL rookie of the week honors scoring her first goal conference rival, American in 2005.
Saturday's match against the Colonials is set to begin at 3 p.m.
