Field Hockey Finishes Up Non-Conference Play at Lock Haven

Bucknell (7-8, 2-3 PL) at Lock Haven (5-10, 2-4 A-10)
When: Tuesday, October 24 – 6 p.m.
Where: Charlotte E. Smith Field – Lock Haven, Pa.
Streaming: PSAC Digital Network
Live Stats: g olhu.com

About Bucknell

Last Friday, the Bison played league rival Lehigh and romped to a 5-0 victory. Bucknell scored two minutes into the play when forward Lily Neilson slammed home a score. Neilson finished with three goals to earn her third hat trick of her career. Rachel Apa and Kira Leclercq each added a tally to the process. The Bison improved to 7-8 overall and 2-3 in Patriot League play. Goalkeeper Sarah Althouse grabbed four saves in the cage.
In recognition of the Bison's triumph, the Patriot League office handed out three weekly awards to the Bison. Neilson took home Offensive Player of the Week, Defender Leclercq grabbed Defensive Player of the Week, and goalkeeper Althouse picked up Goalkeeper of the Week. It is Neilson's fifth time as Offensive Player of the Week and the first weekly award for Althouse and Leclercq.
The contest will be aired on the PSAC Digital Network. The live stats and streaming links are available in this preview and on the Bucknell field hockey schedule page. Live updates will be posted on the Bucknell Field Hockey Twitter page.
Bucknell finished 5-13 overall and 3-3 in Patriot League play in the 2022 season and earned a spot in the Patriot League Tournament for the 15th consecutive season. The Bison fell 2-1 to Boston University in the Patriot League semifinals.
The narrow loss to Boston University capped a notable trend in the 2022 season, where the Orange & Blue lost eight games by one goal margin, including a 2-1 heartbreaker to #9 Louisville. The pattern has continued with six 2-1 losses to American, Boston U., Lafayette, Ohio State, #12 Penn State, and Temple this season.
Head coach Kelsey Kolojejchick enters her second season in Lewisburg. With the victory over Ball State, Kolojejchick moved into eighth place in Bucknell history.
Bucknell was projected to finish third in the Patriot League preseason poll. American was slotted for first, and Colgate was picked to finish last.
Lily Neilson leads the Bison with 11 goals to lead the circuit. She also ranks second in game-winning shots (4).
Neilson has 40 career goals, which places her third in Bucknell history.
Neilson has won three PL Offensive Player of the Week awards in 2023 (Sept. 4 & 25 and Oct. 23).
Super substitute Zoe Carlson-Pietraszek has sparked the offense with five goals. She ranks tied for eighth in the PL for the stat.
Kira Leclercq ranks tied for third in the PL in defensive saves with four.
Althouse ranks second in saves per game (5.27) and third in saves (79).
If Bucknell defeats Colgate, the Bison will be in the Patriot League Tournament. A loss does not doom the Bison, as Bucknell can still make it if Lehigh falls to Lafayette. The Bison play Colgate at home on Oct. 28 in the regular season finale.

Scouting Lock Haven

Lock Haven is 5-10 on the season and 2-4 in A-10 play. The Eagles started the 2023 season with a 7-0 victory over Queens. They are 1-3 against similar Bison opponents, defeating Colgate but losing to Ball State, Kent State, and Lehigh. They recently defeated Division I novice Lindenwood.
The Eagles had their best season since 2015 in 2022, collecting a 12-7 overall record and finishing 5-2 in A-10 play. They were defeated 4-2 by #2 UMass in the A-10 Semifinals.
Lock Haven was projected to finish fourth in the eight-team Atlantic 10. Martina Spangenberg was named to the Atlantic-10 Preseason All-Conference Team.
Brooke Hofsass leads the Eagles with eight goals.
Lock Haven boasts a balanced attack with 11 players scoring goals.
Anna Rogers is in her first season as head coach of the Eagles. She replaces Pat Rudy, who retired after 27 years as the head Eagle. Rogers spent seven seasons as an assistant coach for Rudy.

Series History with the Eagles

Bucknell and Lock Haven have played the I-80 Romp since 1980. Lock Haven owns a 27-12-2 advantage, but the Bison have won the last six matchups.

Up Next

The Bison welcome Colgate for the last regular season game on Oct. 28. The Bison will celebrate Senior Day for seven seniors.

Field Hockey Finishes Up Non-Conference Play at Lock Haven

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Sarah Althouse

Rachel Apa

Zoe Carlson-Pietraszek

Kira Leclercq

Kira Leclercq

Lily Neilson

Lily Neilson

Field Hockey Finishes Up Non-Conference Play at Lock Haven

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Sarah Althouse

Rachel Apa

Zoe Carlson-Pietraszek

Kira Leclercq

Kira Leclercq

Lily Neilson

Lily Neilson

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