Field Hockey Heads to Boston for Patriot League Semifinal Game on Friday

LEWISBURG, Pa. – The Bucknell field hockey team will compete in the Patriot League Tournament for the eighth straight year when it opens play at top-seeded Boston University in the semifinals on Friday at 11 a.m. The Bison, the fourth-seeded team in the bracket, qualified for the tournament after posting a 3-3 record in league play during the regular season.

Both semifinal games and the championship game will be held at Boston's New Balance Field. Second-seeded American will take on third-seeded Lafayette on Friday at 2 p.m. The two semifinal winners will meet for the title on Saturday at 2 p.m. All three games will be shown free of charge on the Patriot League Network.

Bucknell and Boston University will be a rematch of last year's championship game in Lewisburg. The Bison rolled to a 5-2 win in the 2014 regular season meeting between the teams, but the Terriers turned the tables with a 2-1 win in the title game.

Bucknell concluded the regular season at 8-10 overall, including wins over Patriot League opponents Lehigh, Colgate and Holy Cross. Senior Kiersten Sydnor finished the regular season as the top offensive player in the conference, leading all players in goals with 14 and points with 31. Freshman Nicole Rupnik joined her in the top-10 in goals, finishing ninth with seven.

Boston University climbed all the way to 14^th in the nation after posting a 12-6 overall record during the regular season. Similar to what the Bison did a season ago, the Terriers rolled through league play with a perfect 6-0 mark. They finished first in the league in both goals per game and goals allowed per game.

Both teams had numerous players earn All-Patriot League honors. Sydnor and Anna Wills landed on the First Team for Bucknell, while Amy Mucelli and Kayla Sullivan were Second Team selections. Boston players took two major awards, with Sofi Laurito being named Offensive Player of the Year and Rachel Coll being tabbed as the Defensive Player of the Year. They were joined on the First Team by teammate Hester van der Laan, while Taylor Blood and Amanda Cassera were picked to the Second Team.