Field Hockey Hosts American with Regular Season Title & Tournament Hosting at Stake

Bucknell (8-7, 4-1 Patriot) vs. American (10-7, 5-0 Patriot)
When: Saturday, November 2 – Noon
Where: Graham Field at Holmes Stadium – Lewisburg, Pa.
Streaming: ESPN+
Live Stats: bucknellbison.com

About Bucknell

Bucknell completes the 2024 regular season with a pivotal showdown versus the Patriot League reigning champion American Eagles. Plenty of ducats are at stake as the Bucknell seek to clinch a share of its first regular season title since 2014 when the Bison went 6-0 under Jeremy Cook. The Bison also won the regular season crown in 2009. A Bucknell win and a Lafayette loss at Colgate grants home field advantage for the Patriot League Tournament to the Orange & Blue. An American win seals the crown and the tournament hosting for the Eagles. Lafayette hosts with a win over Colgate and a Bucknell victory in regulation against American.
The Bison hosted #12 Syracuse last Thursday and fell 7-2 to the fast-paced and physical foe. Lily Neilson supplied the two goals to move into first place in Bucknell history with 124 career points. Neilson now possesses both the career goals and points records.
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 Lehigh victory moved Kolojejchick into sole possession of fifth place in Bucknell history.
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 (9) by two over California's Canisha van Duyn.
Neilson ranks third nationally in goals per game (1.13) and seventh in points per game (2.40).
Nicky Punt slots 17th nationally in assists per game (.60).

Milestone Watch

Lily Neilson's 59 goals stands alone at first place in Bucknell history.
Neilson's 36 points (17 goals and two assists) in 2024 pushes her into first in career points (124).
The 17 goals rank third in Bucknell single season history and her 36 points are tied for third.
The Australian forward has broken into the Patriot League top two for career goals. 59 goals ties her for second in PL history with Holy Cross's Tara Welch (2003-06).
Her 124 career points slots her eighth 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 Lehigh moving into seventh in career assists (22) in Bucknell history.

Scouting American

American reached double-digit wins by defeating Hofstra 2-1 on Senior Day. Three of their losses came in overtime, including an impressive 3-2 overtime result to #3 Virginia. They are undefeated in conference play but not without close calls, defeating Lafayette 1-0 in overtime and needing a buzzer-beater goal to edge Colgate at home.
The Eagles finished 11-8 overall and 6-0 in Patriot League play last year. They won the regular season and tournament titles and played #3 Duke to a 2-1 decision in the NCAA First Round.
American was picked to finish first for the fifth straight season in the preseason Patriot League poll. They placed a league-high three players on the All-Patriot League Preseason Team, including Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year Bryn Underwood. Midfielder Agustina Roffo and defender Tayla-Jade Weiss were the other two members.
Jordan Reicher leads the team with seven goals and 17 points. The Eagles are defensive-based only yielding 22 goals in 17 games.
Their defensive prowess starts with Underwood, who holds a 1.20 goals against average mark, ranking 17th nationally.
Steven Jennings enters his 26th season as the head Eagle and remains the circuit headliner with 13 Patriot League titles.

Series History with the Eagles

Bucknell trails 9-31 in the series. The Bison have lost four straight games to the foe, all by one score. Last year's losses were especially tough. In the regular season contest, the Eagles forced overtime with 30 seconds remaining and then won in a shootout. In the Patriot League semifinal, the Bison, down 3-2, drew a penalty corner with no time remaining. Leclercq's shot went just wide.

Up Next

Bucknell will await to see its tournament fate. The Bison will either host the event or travel to American (Washington D.C.) or Lafayette (Easton, Pa.). The Patriot League Tournament starts on Nov. 7 with two semifinals. The championship game is on Nov. 9. All three contests will be streamed on ESPN+.