Field Hockey Hosts First Home Games of the 2023 Season

Towson (3-1, 0-0 CAA) vs. Bucknell (1-3, 0-0 PL)
When: Friday, September 8 – 4 p.m.
Where: Graham Field at Holmes Stadium – Lewisburg, Pa.
Streaming: ESPN+
Live Stats: bucknellbison.com

Kent State (1-3, 0-0 MAC) vs. Bucknell (1-3, 0-0 PL)
When: Sunday, September 10 – 3 p.m.
Where: Graham Field at Holmes Stadium– Lewisburg, Pa.
Streaming: ESPN+
Live Stats: bucknellbison.com

This will be a Pride Game, presented by the Bison field hockey and sponsored by Bucknell's Athlete Ally Chapter. The Bucknell field hockey program celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community and stands firmly against any discrimination or violence toward this community. Our Bison Community is an inclusive environment for all, regardless of sexual orientation, race or ethnicity, gender identity, disability, or religion.

About Bucknell

The Bison played at the Buckeye Invitational this past weekend and split the two games, beating Ball State 2-1 in overtime and falling 2-1 to host Ohio State. The results moved Bucknell to 1-3 on the young season.
Both contests will be available for streaming on ESPN+. The streaming site requires a subscription. 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 continued with two 2-1 losses to Ohio 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 and Isabella Pavlides lead the Bison with two goals each.
Freshman Sarah Althouse debuted as the goalkeeper, successfully seizing the starting role. She received the start against Ball State, recorded the win, and held Big 10 power Ohio State to two goals.

Scouting Towson

Towson is off to a clutch start in 2023, going 3-1, with all three victories of the one goal margin.
Like Bucknell, the Tigers were also 5-13 overall in 2022. However, Towson went 1-5 in the deep CAA to miss the conference tournament.
Towson was projected to finish last in the seven-team CAA. The Tigers placed 2022 Second Team All-CAA selection Hannah McKeon on the CAA preseason team. McKeon recorded 19 points on seven goals and five assists in 2022.
Sarah Hatfield leads the Tigers' attack, clawing opponents for four goals.
Gerzabek Salem is in her inaugural season as head coach.

Series History with the Tigers

Bucknell leads the series, 20-10. Once a yearly occurrence, the series started back in 1983 with a 6-0 Bucknell triumph and continued through 2009. Since 2011, there have been three matches and three Bucknell victories.

Scouting Kent State

Kent State is 1-2 on the season against a challenging schedule. The Golden Flashes lost 2-0 and 1-0 against #14 Liberty and VCU. Last weekend, Kent State hosted Michigan State and UC Davis. The Golden Flashes beat the Spartans 1-0 and lost in double overtime 5-4 to the Aggies. The game against Bucknell is part of a Pennsylvanian expedition for Kent State; the Golden Flashes will play Penn State on Sept. 8.
The Ohio team posted an 8-10 overall record but finished 6-1 in MAC play. The Golden Flashes lost 1-0 in the MAC semifinals to affiliate member App State.
Kent State was projected to finish second in the MAC preseason poll out of eight teams.
Eva Usoz has tallied three of Kent's five goals.
Kyle DeSandes-Moyer enters her fifth season at the helm. She has won three regular-season MAC Championships and holds a 42-28 record, including a sparkling 26-6 record in MAC play.

Series History with the Golden Flashes

Kent State leads the series, 4-1-1. The two teams are playing for the third consecutive season. Kent State won the 2021 and 2022 matchups. Both wins were by one goal. In 2007, Bucknell won its only game, 3-2 (OT). Fans should expect another close contest. Four of the six games have been decided by one score, outside the first matchup in 1987, a scoreless tie, and a 3-0 Kent win in 1989.

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