Bucknell University Athletics
Welcome Back: Bucknell Field Hockey
8/13/2010 8:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Aug. 13, 2010
| Video Recap 
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Bucknell field hockey officially got its 2010 campaign underway with its first day of preseason training on Friday. With memories of last year's first-place finish in the Patriot League still fresh in their minds, the Bison opened camp looking to recapture add to that past success.
Bucknell returns 12 members of its team that went 12-7 overall and 4-1 in the Patriot League. The Bison tied with American for first place during the regular season, earning three spots on All-League teams in Corinne Raczek, Morgan Kauffman and Christine Weiss along the way. Even with Bucknell's wealth of success throughout the season, head coach Jeremy Cook is excited to see his squad finally take shape as he has envisioned.
"It's fun to watch. They're playing more to my style of coaching," said Cook, who is heading into his third year at the helm of the Bison. "They're taking things I've coached over the past few years and running with it."
Cook wasted little time getting back to his on-field coaching duties on Friday despite a continuous light rain. As will be the case throughout Bucknell's early practices, the team began the morning focusing on building fitness and perfecting its fundamentals. After an 8 a.m. workout on the track, the Bison moved to Graham Field for a variety of footwork, passing and shooting drills.
The morning practice session ended with a 9v9 game. Although neither team scored in the brief contest, the game did provide the squad's veterans and eight newcomers a welcome opportunity to share the field in a competitive situation.
"This is exciting," said Cook following the team's first training session. "This is the most exciting time of the year. You get to see where people are and what's going on with the group. You get a look at what's going to happen down the road."
Even with more friendly competition to follow in the afternoon practice sessions, the Bison are eager for their first true opponent in Temple. Bucknell will travel to Philadelphia on Saturday, Aug. 29 for its first contest of the season. Bison fans will be able to get their first look at the team at Graham Field when Bucknell faces Albany it the home opener at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 4.
