Bucknell University Athletics
Zielinski Named PL Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, Kisthardt Makes All-League Team
8/19/2021 11:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell field hockey senior Erin Zielinski was voted the Patriot League's Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, the league announced Thursday. Junior midfielder Kayla Kisthardt joined Zielinski on the Preseason All-League Team, and Bucknell was picked to finish second in the 2021 Patriot League Field Hockey Preseason Poll after winning the league title last season.
Zielinski, who started every game over the last two years, is fresh off her most impressive season with the Bison. The Downingtown, Pa. native played nearly every minute during the spring 2021 campaign and helped guide a Bucknell defense that allowed just 1.25 goals per game over four postseason contests.
A First Team All-Patriot League honoree last season, Zielinski led the Bison with 57.9 minutes per game in the spring and went without rest in eight of 10 matches. She supplied an assist on the game-tying goal against Boston U. with just under six minutes to play in the Patriot League Championship, earning her All-Tournament Team recognition. Zielinski enters her fourth season as a key leader on the Bucknell squad.
Kisthardt was also a member of the 2020-21 Patriot League All-Tournament Team, providing the other assist on the championship game equalizer. She was instrumental on set plays throughout the spring season and started every game as a sophomore. The Allentown, Pa. native has started 20 of the 28 games she's appeared in during her time with the Orange & Blue. Kisthardt was one of two juniors named to the Preseason All-League squad.
Bucknell, which won six of its final seven games last season to capture the program's first Patriot League title and a first-round win over VCU in the NCAA tournament, came in just behind No. 1 American in the 2021 preseason poll with 93 points and two first-place votes. Boston U. was picked third, collecting four first-place votes and 90 total points.
The Bison open the new season on Friday, Aug. 27 when James Madison pays a visit to Graham Field. Head coach Jeremy Cook is entering his 14th season at Bucknell. He's currently eight wins shy of tying the program record for career victories (128).
2021 Patriot League Field Hockey Preseason Poll
1. American (8 first-place votes), 96
2. Bucknell (2), 93
3. Boston University (4), 90
4. Lafayette, 52
5. Lehigh, 50
6. Holy Cross, 39
7. Colgate, 21
2021 Patriot League Preseason Major Awards
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: Noor Coenen, American, Sr., M
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Erin Zielinski, Bucknell, Sr., D
2021 Patriot League Preseason All-League Team
Noor Coenen, American, Sr., M/F
Georgia Davies, American, Sr., D
Miya Denison, Boston University, Gr., F
Thalia Steenssens, Boston University, So., M
Erin Zielinski, Bucknell, Sr., D
Kayla Kisthardt, Bucknell, Jr., M
Taylor Casamassa, Colgate, Sr., M/F
Caitlin Little, Holy Cross, Sr., D
Audrey Sawers, Lafayette, Sr., M
Lenke Havas, Lehigh, Gr., M/D
Maddie Kahn, Lehigh, Jr., GK
