Bucknell University
(7-8 (2-3PL))
Lehigh
(9-6 (2-3PL))
Whiteout Equals Shutout for Field Hockey in 5-0 Win over Lehigh
10/20/2023 9:50:00 PM | Field Hockey
"I am proud of this team," said head coach Kelsey Kolojejchick. "It was a great team effort against a strong Lehigh team. They are playing more confident and clicking on both ends of the field. It was great to see Lily get a hat trick and Sarah get a shutout. This team has made so many improvements, which is great to see. We still have a few more things to work on, but we are peaking at the right time."Â
Recap
Bucknell needed the win, and the Orange & Blue wasted no time seizing the lead. The Bison raced down the pitch with the ball and kept the Lehigh defense on its heels. Lily Neilson scored two minutes into the contest off a penalty corner. The ball was inserted by Hannah Guarente and handled by Mia Fields. Neilson took the sphere and expertly twisted past the defenders for a close-range look instead of taking a long-distance shot. The shot was fired home for the 1-0 Bucknell lead.Â
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LILY DILLY!
— Bucknell FieldHockey (@Bucknell_FH) October 20, 2023
Neilson strikes early for her ninth goal of the season!
Watch: https://t.co/UVToZ1vIus@PatriotLeagueTV | @ESPN #rayBucknell pic.twitter.com/CzBOwefVwg
Bucknell added to the lead four minutes later when Gianna Puorro collected a loose ball after a melee in front of the goal. Puorro stuck with the play, found the ball, and sent a speeding pass into the circle where Apa lurked. Apa sent a high-flying shot into the upper right corner for the 2-0 Bucknell advantage.Â
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APA-ITUDE!
— Bucknell FieldHockey (@Bucknell_FH) October 20, 2023
Apa takes the pass and slams it home!
2-0 Bucknell!
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The second quarter was much calmer. The Bison had four shots total, including three in a three-minute section, but could not find any insurance goals. Lehigh collected three shot attempts, and three penalty corners but remained scoreless.Â
The third period picked up where the Bison left off in the first stanza. Bucknell nearly scored on a penalty corner when Lehigh reestablished possession. The Mountain Hawks attempted a pass, but Apa intervened and deflected the ball to Neilson. The Australia native promptly smashed a shot past the goalie for her second score of the game and the 3-0 lead.Â
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NEILSON DOES IT AGAIN! LILY DILLY DOS!
— Bucknell FieldHockey (@Bucknell_FH) October 21, 2023
Watch: https://t.co/UVToZ1vIus@PatriotLeagueTV | @ESPN #rayBucknell pic.twitter.com/s5rbPf7Vh1
The final stanza commenced with Lehigh attempting five penalty corners. It was the decisive moment of the game. It became Lehigh's last attempt at a credible comeback. Goalkeeper Sarah Althouse and her fellow Bison refused entry, and Lehigh was turned away. Thirty-six seconds after the Bethlehem team's final shot attempt, Hope Davis found Lily Neilson at the top of the scoring circle. Neilson juked to the right and fired home a laser for the third hat trick of her career. It was the first hat trick for Neilson since 10/16/21 against the same Lehigh squad.Â
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A HAT TRICK FOR OUR QUEEN LILY!
— Bucknell FieldHockey (@Bucknell_FH) October 21, 2023
We are rolling here at Holmes!
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Six minutes later, Leclercq put an exclamation point on the night's proceedings with her tally. The Bison had another penalty corner, and Nicky Punt inserted to Puorro who set the ball down. Leclercq, as per her specialty, sent a screamer through the mass of defenders.Â
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Leclercq gets in on the action!
— Bucknell FieldHockey (@Bucknell_FH) October 21, 2023
5-0 Bucknell.
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Lehigh tried to salvage a late goal, but despite three penalty corners and shots in the final minutes, the Mountain Hawks were held scoreless, and Bucknell had its crucial Patriot League win.Â
Notes
Lily Neilson's hat trick puts her at 11 goals on the season (1st in the PL) and 40 tallies in her career.Â
Up Next
Bucknell has a nonconference matchup at Lock Haven on Oct. 24.Â
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Team Stats
Lily Neilson (9)
Assisted By: Mia Fields , Hannah Guarente
12 off penalty corner
1:25
Rachel Apa (3)
Assisted By: Gianna Puorro
3 centers for 11 redirect
5:52
Lily Neilson (10)
Assisted By: Rachel Apa
11 breaks up pass, 12 finishes
32:04
Lily Neilson (11)
Assisted By: Hope Davis
23 long pass into circle for 12, two tou
48:46
Kira Leclercq (4)
Assisted By: Nicky Punt , Gianna Puorro
Drive off penalty corner
54:36
