Bucknell University Athletics
Field Hockey's Kisthardt, Neilson Named to 2022 NFHCA All-Region Team
11/23/2022 12:57:00 PM | Field Hockey
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell field hockey's Lily Neilson and Kayla Kisthardt were each named to the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Division I All-Mideast Region Team, the organization announced Tuesday. Neilson was selected to the First Team, and Kisthardt made the Second Team.
It's Neilson's second straight year receiving NFHCA All-Region honors, and it's the first time Bucknell has had two players recognized since 2018. Both Neilson and Kisthardt were voted First Team All-Patriot League honorees earlier this month, and Neilson was chosen as the 2022 Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year.
Neilson, a sophomore from Armidale, New South Wales, Australia, led the Patriot League in goals for a second straight season with 14. Her 0.78 goals per game ranked 13th in NCAA Division I field hockey in 2022. She posted three multi-goal games and added an assist as well.
Neilson finished atop the league in scoring as a freshman in 2021 with 15 goals and is quickly climbing in the Bucknell record book. She now holds two of the top-10 scoring seasons in program history and is tied for sixth all-time in career goals.
Kisthardt, who served as a team captain this season, started every game during her senior season and finished with 11 points on three goals and five assists. Two of her goals were game-winners.
Kisthardt was one of 38 players named to the 2022 NFHCA Division I Senior Team in October in recognition of her outstanding career. A native of Allentown, Pa., Kisthardt started all 46 games over her final three seasons and totaled 17 career points, earning All-Patriot League status twice.
Kisthardt and Neilson were two of 12 Patriot League athletes to make an NFHCA All-Region Team, joining players from American (2), Boston U. (3), Lafayette (2), and Lehigh (3).
This was the first in a list of postseason awards to come from the NFHCA over the next several weeks. Next to be announced are the NFHCA Regional Players of the Year on November 30, they will be followed by the NFHCA All-American teams on December 13 and the NFHCA National Player of the Year on December 15.
