Field Hockey Routs Colgate, 5-0, for Senior Day Victory

LEWISBURG, Pa.- The Bucknell Bison field hockey team (8-8, 3-3 PL) completed an undefeated 2023 home schedule (7-0) by defeating the Colgate Raiders (3-13, 0-6 PL) 5-0 at Holmes Stadium on a balmy Saturday. Bucknell scored tallied goals in the first three periods to comfortably cruise to a victory. Lily Neilson scored twice and supplied an assist to senior Rachel Apa. Kira Leclercq added another goal, as did Mia Fields. The Bison already clinched the final tournament spot thanks to Lehigh's Friday night loss to Lafayette, but Bucknell enters the PL Championships with additional momentum. The Bison have made the Patriot League Tournament for the 16th consecutive season.

"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."

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.

GOAL FOR LECLERCQ!

Her fifth of the season gave us the lead!

Watch: ESPN+ (https://t.co/R8pWAh3H5u)@PatriotLeagueTV | @ESPN #rayBucknell pic.twitter.com/IRlQ6FxGN0
— Bucknell FieldHockey (@Bucknell_FH) October 28, 2023

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.

QUEEN LILY SCORES!

A dilly of a goal!

Watch: ESPN+ (https://t.co/R8pWAh3H5u)@PatriotLeagueTV | @ESPN #rayBucknell pic.twitter.com/4bcVKaIcIJ
— Bucknell FieldHockey (@Bucknell_FH) October 28, 2023

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.

NEILSON WITH THE SICK SPIN MOVE!

She put the goalie on skates! Goal #13 for Neilson was unlucky for Colgate!

Watch: ESPN+ (https://t.co/R8pWAh3H5u)@PatriotLeagueTV | @ESPN #rayBucknell | #SCTop10 pic.twitter.com/LO8eLfGNvR
— Bucknell FieldHockey (@Bucknell_FH) October 28, 2023

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.

APA-ITUDE on Senior Day!

Neilson finds Apa and the senior slams it home!

It is a grand old time at Holmes!

Watch: ESPN+ (https://t.co/R8pWAh3H5u)@PatriotLeagueTV | @ESPN #rayBucknell pic.twitter.com/EVHEERRa1s
— Bucknell FieldHockey (@Bucknell_FH) October 28, 2023

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.

MIA FIELDS ON SENIOR DAY!

Watch: ESPN+ (https://t.co/R8pWAh3H5u)@PatriotLeagueTV | @ESPN #rayBucknell pic.twitter.com/7uFHFrbZDu
— Bucknell FieldHockey (@Bucknell_FH) October 28, 2023

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.

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 27 wins.

Bucknell completed its first home undefeated season since 1976 when Bucknell went 6-0-1 at home.

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.

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.

Field Hockey Routs Colgate, 5-0, for Senior Day Victory

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Team Stats

Lily Neilson

Mia Fields

Kira Leclercq

Rachel Apa

Players Mentioned

Rachel Apa

Reanne Burgess

Olivia Bush

Hope Davis

Mia Fields

Hannah Guarente

Kira Leclercq

Kari Melberger

Lily Neilson

Sydney Panagos

Gianna Puorro

Gugulethu Sibanda

Field Hockey Routs Colgate, 5-0, for Senior Day Victory

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Next Event

Team Stats

Game Leaders

Lily Neilson

Mia Fields

Kira Leclercq

Rachel Apa

Players Mentioned

Rachel Apa

Reanne Burgess

Olivia Bush

Hope Davis

Mia Fields

Hannah Guarente

Kira Leclercq

Kari Melberger

Lily Neilson

Sydney Panagos

Gianna Puorro

Gugulethu Sibanda

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