Field Hockey Goes to Washington to play American

Bucknell (5-7, 1-2 PL) at American University (5-5, 2-0 PL)
When: Saturday, October 7 – 11 a.m.
Where: Jacobs Recreational Complex – Washington, D.C.
Streaming: ESPN+
Live Stats: aueagles.com

About Bucknell

Last weekend, the Bison played road games against Patriot League foe Boston University and America East team UMass Lowell. Bucknell lost both games, falling to 5-7 overall and 1-1 in PL play. The Bison were defeated 2-1 by Boston U. in double overtime and 3-2 by #18 UMass Lowell.
The contest will be on ESPN+. 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 five 2-1 losses to 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 seven goals and is in first place in the conference. She also ranks tied for first in game-winning games (3) and points (14).
Neilson has 36 career goals, which places her third in Bucknell history.
Neilson has won two PL Offensive Player of the Week awards in 2023 (Sept. 4 & 25).
Super substitute Zoe Carlson-Pietraszek has sparked the offense with five goals. She ranks tied for third in the PL for the stat.

Scouting American

American is 5-5 on the season. The Eagles started the 2023 campaign with a 5-1 win against Ohio. They have shown a trend of playing ranked opponents to the brink, only losing to #5 Penn State 3-2 and #14 Liberty 1-0. American is 2-0 in PL play, with a 2-1 triumph over Colgate and a 3-1 victory over Lafayette.
The Eagles went 9-7 overall last season and 4-2 in PL play. Their season ended with a 2-1 loss to Lehigh in the PL semifinals.
American was projected to finish first in the seven-team Patriot League for the fourth consecutive year. They placed three players on the All-Preseason Team, including Bryn Underwood, the 2023 Patriot League Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year.
Charllene Boshoff leads the Eagles with six goals, which ranks her second in the conference.
Steve Jennings enters his 25th season as American's head coach. He has a career record of 109-27 (.801) in Patriot League play.

Series History with the Eagles