Bucknell University Athletics
Field Hockey's Lily Neilson Named Bison of the Week, Earns Multiple PL Weekly Awards
9/20/2021 12:00:00 PM | Field Hockey
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell field hockey's Lily Neilson received a host of awards on Monday, earning Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week, Patriot League Rookie of the Week, and Bison Athlete of the Week honors after setting a new school record with five goals in Saturday's 7-2 victory over Holy Cross. Neilson added an assist in Sunday's 4-2 win over Sacred Heart, bringing her weekend points total to 11. Additionally, senior Erin Zielinski was named the Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week.
Neilson's five goals and 10 points in Saturday's games also tied the Patriot League single-game record, which was set by Lafayette's Suzi Farrell back in 1990. Neilson scored all five goals in the first three quarters, notching one in the first, three in the second and one in the third. The four-goal mark had been reached six times prior in program history, last by Bucknell Hall-of-Famer Jen Zimmerman in 1999. The five other times occurred between 1976 and 1978.
On Sunday, Neilson earned her 11th point of the weekend when she supplied an assist on the game-tying goal against Sacred Heart with 20 seconds remaining in the first half. She tallied nine total shots over the weekend for a .556 shot percentage.
Neilson, a native of New South Wales, Australia, now leads the Patriot League in goals (7) and points (15) this season. She previously scored the game-tying goal in the win over LIU during the opening weekend of play and added another at Villanova two weeks ago. This is her second Patriot League Rookie of the Week award.
Zielinski, who was voted the Patriot League's Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, led a Bucknell defense that limited its two opponents to 12 combined shots over the weekend. Zielinski also posted three assists in Saturday's win over the Crusaders, tying the Bucknell record. She added an assist in Sunday's win over the Pioneers as well. She now leads the team with seven assists on the season.
As a team, Bucknell is leading the Patriot League in goals (18) and assists (23), and sits in first place with a 5-2, 1-0 PL record. The Bison have won each of their last four contests.
Bucknell hits the road this weekend for games at Boston U. and Harvard. Bucknell will take on the Terriers at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 25 for a rematch of last season's Patriot League title game.
A school-record 5⃣ goals for number 1⃣2⃣. Big congrats to Lily Neilson! It's a great day to be a Bison! 🔶🔷#rayBucknell 🏑 pic.twitter.com/QQ3Kt7GRqJ
— Bucknell FieldHockey (@Bucknell_FH) September 18, 2021
