Field Hockey Heads to Lehigh for Saturday Showdown

Bucknell (7-6, 3-1 PL) at Lehigh (6-6, 1-2 PL)
When: Saturday, October 19 – 1 p.m.
Where: Ulrich Field – Bethlehem, Pa.
Streaming: ESPN+
Live Stats: lehighsports.com

About Bucknell

The Bison remain road-bound with a pivotal away contest at rival Lehigh. A slot in the four-team Patriot League Tournament is Bucknell's prize if the Orange & Blue emerge victorious. It would mark the 17th straight season the Bison made the tournament.
Bucknell went 2-0 last weekend with wins over Colgate and Cornell. The Bison romped 4-0 over Colgate to win their third conference game and won 3-2 in overtime against Ivy League foe Cornell.
Lily Neilson scored two goals against both teams. Her two tallies versus Colgate opened the scoring and paved the way for the eventual shutout. She scored the equalizer and the golden goal against Cornell.
Neilson was richly decorated for her prolific scoring. She won three weekly awards: Bison of the Week, Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week, and NFHCA Offensive Player of the Week. Her NFHCA award was the first one in Bison history.
The game will be streamed on ESPN+. The link is available in this preview and on the Bucknell field hockey schedule page. The Live Stats link is also available on the Bucknell field hockey schedule page. Live updates will be posted on the Bucknell Field Hockey X page.
Bucknell finished 8-9 overall and 3-3 in Patriot League play in the 2023 season and earned a spot in the Patriot League Tournament for the 16th consecutive season. The Bison fell 3-2 to the top-seeded American Eagles in the Patriot League semifinals. Bucknell battled back from a 3-0 deficit to have a game-tying chance as time expired. The Eagles blocked the shot, escaping overtime.
The heartbreaking loss finalized Bucknell's painful habit in the 2023 season, when the Bison lost eight games by one goal margin. The losses included a 2-1 defeat to #12 Penn State and a 3-2 defeat to #18 UMass Lowell. Over the last two seasons, Bucknell has lost 18 one-goal games. The trend has continued this season with the losses to Delaware, Miami (OH), and #20 Penn State.
Head coach Kelsey Kolojejchick enters her third season in Lewisburg. The Cornell victory tied Kolojejchick for fifth place in Bucknell history with Jennifer Averill.
The Bison return 19 players from last season's roster and welcome six newcomers.
Bucknell was projected to finish tied for second with Lafayette in the Patriot League preseason poll. Reigning champion American was slotted for first, and Colgate picked to finish last. Bucknell hosts American in 2024 in the regular season finale on Nov. 2.
Junior Kira Leclercq won Patriot League Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. Leclercq was outstanding as a defender in 2023, notching four defensive saves, and earning First Team All-Patriot League and Second Team All-NFHCA honors. She also scored five goals.
Senior Lily Neilson made the Preseason All-Patriot League Team after winning her second-straight Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year award. Her 13 goals led the circuit, despite Neilson missing several games to play for the Australian Junior World Cup squad. She became the first Second Team All-American in Bucknell history.
Leclercq remains first nationally in defensive saves by four over Rutgers's Puck Winter.
Neilson ranks fourth nationally in goals per game (1.00) and 11th in points per game (2.15).
Nicky Punt slots 15th nationally in assists per game (.62).

Milestone Watch

Lily Neilson's 55 goals ranks tied with Karin Wegener for first place in Bucknell history.
Neilson's 28 points (13 goals and two assists) slot her second in career points (116). She is six points away from tying Wegener for first.
The Australian forward has broken into the Patriot League top three for career goals. 55 goals puts her at third place with American's Noor Coenen (2017-21).
Her 116 career points slots her ninth in the Patriot League record book.
Kira Leclercq has already established herself one of Bucknell's and the Patriot League's finest defenders with her 21 career defensive saves. The total ranks second in Bucknell history and fifth in Patriot League history.
Senior Isabella Pavlides added an assist against Lock Haven moving into a tie for seventh place in career assists (21) in Bucknell history.

Scouting Lehigh

Lehigh resides at 6-6 overall and 1-2 in Patriot League play. The Mountain Hawks defeated Colgate 5-1 but were blanked 3-0 by Boston and 5-0 by Lafayette. In their last outing, they lost 2-1 in a narrow defeat to ranked Albany.
The Mountain Hawks finished 9-8 overall but 2-4 in league play during the 2023 season. They missed qualification for the Patriot League Tournament.
Lehigh was projected to finish fifth in the seven-team Patriot League. Fifth-year midfielder Julia Gatelein notched a spot on the Preseason All-Patriot Team.
Gatelein leads the team in goals (8) and points (18).
Jenny Canoni has started every game in the cage.
Kelsi Lykens enters her second season in Bethlehem.

Series History with the Mountain Hawks

Bucknell owns the slight 25-24-1 series lead. The Bison won the rivalry's 50th game last year during a White Out game. The Orange & Blue achieved a decisive 5-0 victory as part of a late season push for the Patriot League Tournament. Neilson recorded a hat trick during the game. Bucknell has won ten of the twelve games in the series.

Up Next

Bucknell returns to Holmes Stadium on Oct. 24 when ranked Syracuse arrives for an exciting non-conference duel.

Field Hockey Heads to Lehigh for Saturday Showdown

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Kira Leclercq

Lily Neilson

Isabella Pavlides

Nicky Punt

Field Hockey Heads to Lehigh for Saturday Showdown

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Kira Leclercq

Lily Neilson

Isabella Pavlides

Nicky Punt

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