
Field Hockey Routs Colgate, 5-0, for Senior Day Victory
10/28/2023 12:54:00 PM | Field Hockey
"It was a great day overall," said head coach Kelsey Kolojejchick. "We are so happy and proud of this senior class. It was great to see a solid team performance for their last home game. I am also impressed that this group stayed undefeated at home. That is a wonderful accomplishment that should boost their confidence going into the playoffs. I believe this team is ready to go and I can't wait to get back after it on Thursday."Â
Recap
Bucknell pressured the Colgate defense from the beginning and never let up. Colgate attempted to defend the goal, but the Bison attack was too much. Kira Leclercq broke through the first tally of the game nine minutes into the contest. The goal came from a Hannah Guarente insertion and a Fields placement.Â
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GOAL FOR LECLERCQ!
— Bucknell FieldHockey (@Bucknell_FH) October 28, 2023
Her fifth of the season gave us the lead!
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The Bison broke the game wide open in the second period, with Neilson scoring two goals in a minute. The Australian native was lightning on the pitch. Her first tally came when Leclercq sent a beautiful pass to the junior forward. Neilson pivoted and beat the goalie to slam the score into the unprotected goal.Â
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QUEEN LILY SCORES!
— Bucknell FieldHockey (@Bucknell_FH) October 28, 2023
A dilly of a goal!
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Neilson's second goal came less than a minute later. Hope Davis sent a long pass down the pitch to the forward, who calmly collected the sphere. Neilson used a slick spin move to leave the Colgate goalkeeper sprawled on the ground and placed the ball in the cage for a 3-0 Bucknell advantage.Â
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NEILSON WITH THE SICK SPIN MOVE!
— Bucknell FieldHockey (@Bucknell_FH) October 28, 2023
She put the goalie on skates! Goal #13 for Neilson was unlucky for Colgate!
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Bucknell added two more goals in the third period to end any chance of a Colgate comeback. Five minutes into the action, Apa scored on a fast break attempt when Neilson passed up a likely scoring opportunity to find the wide-open senior. Apa deftly tapped in the excellent pass for the 4-0 Bison lead and a memory the senior forward will never forget.Â
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APA-ITUDE on Senior Day!
— Bucknell FieldHockey (@Bucknell_FH) October 28, 2023
Neilson finds Apa and the senior slams it home!
It is a grand old time at Holmes!
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Fields scored the final Bison goal directly at the 43rd-minute mark. A penalty corner opportunity set the stage for the senior defender. Gianna Puorro delivered the insertion, and Fields slammed a shot right past the goalie's stick.Â
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MIA FIELDS ON SENIOR DAY!
— Bucknell FieldHockey (@Bucknell_FH) October 28, 2023
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The final period featured plenty of substitutions and only three combined shots. Both teams used the last quarter to test new combinations and rest starters. The time drained away, and Bucknell preserved the shutout for a memorable Senior Day triumph.Â
Notes
The Bison celebrated Senior Day for seven players: Rachel Apa, Reanne Burgess, Olivia Bush, Mia Fields, Kari Melberger, Sydney Panagos, and Gugulethu Sibanda. The group was part of a conference title, an Elite Eight run, and 27Â wins.Â
Bucknell completed its first home undefeated season since 1976 when Bucknell went 6-0-1 at home.Â
Neilson finished the season with 28 points (13 goals and two assists) to finish second in the PL. Neilson's 88 career points put her fourth all-time in Bucknell history. Her 42 goals place her third in Bucknell annals. Her 13 goals in 2023 are 10th in Bucknell's single-season history.Â
Up Next
Bucknell heads to the Patriot League Tournament, when they will play host school and #1 seed American on Nov. 2. The time is to be announced.Â
Team Stats

Kira Leclercq
Assisted By: Mia Fields , Hannah Guarente
Penalty corner
8:56

Lily Neilson
Assisted By: Kira Leclercq
Pass from right wing to Nielsen who beat
20:36

Lily Neilson
Assisted By: Hope Davis
Pass ahead to Nielsen on breakaway
21:31

Rachel Apa
Assisted By: Lily Neilson
Fast break, 2-on-1 vs. goalie
35:47

Mia Fields
Assisted By: Gianna Puorro
Penalty corner
43:00