Field Hockey Heads to Ohio for Buckeye Invitational

Bucknell (0-2, 0-0 PL) at Ball State (0-2, 0-0 MAC)
When: Friday, September 1 – 1 p.m.
Where: Buckeye Varsity Field – Columbus, Ohio
Streaming: BTN+ ($)
Live Stats: ohiostatebuckeyes.com

Bucknell (0-2, 0-0 PL) at Ohio State (2-0, 0-0 Big Ten)
When: Sunday, September 3 – 2 p.m.
Where: Buckeye Varsity Field – Columbus, Ohio.
Streaming: BTN+ ($)
Live Stats: ohiostatebuckeyes.com

About Bucknell

The Bison's 51st season of collegiate field hockey kicked off with two games against the Philadelphia schools of Drexel and Temple. The Bison fell 4-0 to Drexel and lost a narrow 2-1 game to Temple.
The two games are featured as part of the Buckeye Invitational. UC Davis and New Hampshire will also be present in Columbus. The Ball State game counts as a neutral site contest. Both contests will be available for streaming on BTN+. The streaming site requires a subscription. The 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 continued with a 2-1 loss to Temple on Sunday.
Head coach Kelsey Kolojejchick enters her second season in Lewisburg. She is tied with Rose Ewan in wins. Kolojejchick needs one victory to move 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.
Isabella Pavlides scored the lone Bucknell goal of the season.
Freshman Sarah Althouse made a successful debut as the goalkeeper. She was inserted into action with the Bison down 3-0 against Drexel and only yielded one goal in three periods of action while making several slick saves. She received the start against Temple and held strong against a potent Temple attack.

Scouting Ball State

Ball State scores plenty and yields plenty losing 4-3 to Lehigh and Villanova to start the 2023 campaign.
The Cardinals were 7-12 last season but went 4-3 in MAC play to clinch the #4 seed. Their season concluded with a 2-0 to the #1 seed Miami (OH) in the MAC semifinals.
Ball State was projected to repeat as fourth-place finishers. Fleur Knopert tallied nine goals last season for the Cardinals en route to First Team All-MAC honors.
The Cardinals boast a multiple-pronged attack with five players recording goals. Knopert leads the team with two tallies.
Caitlin Walsh enters her second season as the main baller of Ball State.

Series History with the Cardinals

Bucknell leads the series, 1-0. The Bison won the only matchup 4-2 back in 2008.

Scouting Ohio State

The Buckeyes started the 2023 season taking the Pennsylvanian Patriot League tour, defeating Lafayette 4-1 and Lehigh 5-2.
Ohio State posted an 11-8 overall record but finished 3-5 in Big Ten play and were dispatched 5-3 by Maryland in the Big Ten quarterfinals.
The Big Ten did not hold a preseason poll, but Ohio State placed three on the Big Ten Preseason Players to Watch List: Leanne Bough, Abby Danson, and Makenna Webster.
Ohio State graduated its 2022 star scorer, Sarah Charley. Charley racked up 12 goals.
Seven Buckeyes have scored goals, with Bough and Webster scoring two each, living up to their preseason billing.
Jarred Martin enters his seventh season at Ohio State and holds a career mark of 58-54.

Series History with the Buckeyes

Ohio State leads the series, 2-0. The Buckeyes' wins occurred in 2007 and 2012. The Bison are seeking their second ever win over a current Big Ten member. Bucknell defeated Rutgers in 2013 when the Scarlet Knights played in the Big East and in 2016 after they joined the Big Ten.

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