Field Hockey Notches Two Major Awards; Places Five Members on All-League Teams
11/5/2024 1:00:00 PM | Field Hockey
LEWISBURG, Pa.- The Bucknell Bison field hockey team cleaned up in the annual awards winning two major categories and placing five members on All-League Teams. Lily Neilson won her third straight Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year honor (becoming the only Patriot League player in history to win the award three times) and Kira Leclercq fulfilled her preseason prediction by earning Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year. Leclercq and Neilson slotted on the All-Patriot League First Team while Sarah Althouse, Nicky Punt, and Gianna Puorro clinched Second Team spots. It marked the first time since 2012 the Bison placed three members on the Second Team and the five All-League members are the most in Bucknell history since 2019.Â
"What fantastic news to see Kira and Lily earned Offensive and Defensive of the Year honors," said head coach Kelsey Kojojejchick. "It is beyond deserving for the two of them. They both had amazing seasons for their respective positions. Lily, leading the charge in the attacking front as our top goal scorer breaking so many records, was really fun to watch this year. She is a threat in the attacking circle and I just enjoy watching her speed combined with her crafty hand skills and slot selections. Kira, being such a strong force and presence on the defensive end, was huge. She has helped limit team opportunities in the circle, she is a great outletter and balances using her phenomenal aerial while also using her knowledge and ball speed to build the play up from the back. Both have a massive impact in our attack corner unit with very strong drag flicks and have been able to capitalize on chances in our attack circle. I am very proud of these two and just couldn't be happier for them and our program. They hold themselves to such a high standard and I appreciate their leadership and work rate. I hope this boosts their confidence and builds momentum going into the conference tournament."
Neilson capped her final Patriot League campaign by leading the circuit in goals for the fourth straight season -- a feat never equaled in Patriot League annals. Neilson's 17 goals currently lead the loop by two and she ranks fifth nationally in goals per game (1.06). She set the Bucknell records for goals (59) and points (124) passing Bison Hall of Fame member Karin Wegener in both categories: those marks stood since 1978. Her goal total ranks second and her points amount stands eighth in Patriot League history. After a slow start to her season, Neilson flipped the switch and racked up goals in bushels, setting the 2024 Division I standard for most games in a row with two goals (5). She joined a select group of Patriot League players who earned four First Team All-Patriot League honors.Â
Leclercq's presence always looms large in the defensive backline and her nine defensive saves - the best mark nationally by two - testify to her existential stick. Her 2024 seasonal amount upped her career total to 21 which ranks second best in Bucknell history and fifth in Patriot League records. Her prowess is not limited to the defensive game; offensively her seven goals are second best for Bucknell behind Neilson and seventh in the conference. Her six assists slot fifth in the PL, as do her 20 points (seven goals & six assists). Leclercq joins Jen Zimmerman (1998) as the only Bison to win Defender of the Year.
Althouse, a sophomore, has developed into one of the Patriot League's finest goalkeepers. Her 1.84 goals against average ranks third in the loop and 45th nationally. She sits fourth in save percentage (.716) and saves per game (4.53). Althouse has logged 15 career wins in the cage and should enter the Bucknell top ten list next year. She became the first Bison goalkeeper since Olivia Harris, a First Team recipient in 2019, to notch a spot on an All-League Team.Â
Punt, a junior midfielder, set up the Bucknell attack with her nine assists ranking second in the Patriot League. All season, she centered the insertion passes from Hannah Guarente and Isabella Pavlides to provide excellent opportunities for Leclercq and Neilson. The efforts paid off with Bucknell leading the conference in goals per game (2.31) and Punt ranking 21st nationally (.56) in assists per game. Beyond assists, Punt covered ground directing the ball up and down the pitch and creating space for the Bison forwards.Â
Puorro, a junior midfielder, repeated her Second Team All-League honor from the 2023 season. She contributed five points (two goals and one assists) but her greatest strength was her inexhaustible energy on the pitch. Puorro flashed everywhere on the field deftly maneuvering around opponent sticks all season long. Her finest value laid in the hidden stats that her mere presence demanded with her ability to push the sphere into the shooting circle.Â
The five All-League members and the Bison start the Patriot League Tournament as the No. 3 seed on Thursday afternoon against No. 2 Lafayette at 2 p.m. Should Bucknell win, they will face the winner of No. 1 American and No. 4 Boston on Saturday at 1 p.m. All contests are at American University and are on ESPN+.
2024 Patriot League Field Hockey Major Awards
Offensive Player of the Year – Lily Neilson, Bucknell, Sr., F
Defensive Player of the Year – Kira Leclercq, Bucknell, Jr., D
Goalkeeper of the Year – Bryn Underwood, American, Gr., GK
Rookie of the Year – Olivia Morraye, American, Fr., D
Coach of the Year – Steve Jennings, American
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2024 First Team All-Patriot League Field Hockey*
Agustina Roffo, American, Sr., M
Bryn Underwood, American, Gr., GK
Tayla-Jade Weiss, American, Sr., D
Payton Anderson, Boston University, Sr., D
Martu Coulo, Boston University, Jr., F/M
Kira Leclercq, Bucknell, Jr., D
Lily Neilson, Bucknell, Sr., F
Meggan Fourie, Holy Cross, Sr., A
Raffi Fragomeni, Lafayette, Jr., GK
Lineke Spaans, Lafayette, Sr., M
Makenzie Switzer, Lafayette, Jr., D
Julia Gatelein, Lehigh, 5th, M
Kiki Mes, Lehigh, Jr., M
2024 Second Team All-Patriot League Field Hockey
Jordan Reicher, American, So., F
Nicole Lauro, Boston University, So., F/M
Sarah Althouse, Bucknell, So., GK
Nicky Punt, Bucknell, Jr., M
Gianna Puorro, Bucknell, Jr., F
Grace Schmelzinger, Colgate, Jr., M
Sarah Potter, Holy Cross, Gr., A
Stella Malinowski, Lafayette, So., M
India Ralph, Lafayette, Sr., D
Josephine van Wijk, Lafayette, Jr., M
KK Sauve, Lehigh, Jr., B
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*Additional players selected to the First-Team due to ties in the voting
"What fantastic news to see Kira and Lily earned Offensive and Defensive of the Year honors," said head coach Kelsey Kojojejchick. "It is beyond deserving for the two of them. They both had amazing seasons for their respective positions. Lily, leading the charge in the attacking front as our top goal scorer breaking so many records, was really fun to watch this year. She is a threat in the attacking circle and I just enjoy watching her speed combined with her crafty hand skills and slot selections. Kira, being such a strong force and presence on the defensive end, was huge. She has helped limit team opportunities in the circle, she is a great outletter and balances using her phenomenal aerial while also using her knowledge and ball speed to build the play up from the back. Both have a massive impact in our attack corner unit with very strong drag flicks and have been able to capitalize on chances in our attack circle. I am very proud of these two and just couldn't be happier for them and our program. They hold themselves to such a high standard and I appreciate their leadership and work rate. I hope this boosts their confidence and builds momentum going into the conference tournament."
Neilson capped her final Patriot League campaign by leading the circuit in goals for the fourth straight season -- a feat never equaled in Patriot League annals. Neilson's 17 goals currently lead the loop by two and she ranks fifth nationally in goals per game (1.06). She set the Bucknell records for goals (59) and points (124) passing Bison Hall of Fame member Karin Wegener in both categories: those marks stood since 1978. Her goal total ranks second and her points amount stands eighth in Patriot League history. After a slow start to her season, Neilson flipped the switch and racked up goals in bushels, setting the 2024 Division I standard for most games in a row with two goals (5). She joined a select group of Patriot League players who earned four First Team All-Patriot League honors.Â
Leclercq's presence always looms large in the defensive backline and her nine defensive saves - the best mark nationally by two - testify to her existential stick. Her 2024 seasonal amount upped her career total to 21 which ranks second best in Bucknell history and fifth in Patriot League records. Her prowess is not limited to the defensive game; offensively her seven goals are second best for Bucknell behind Neilson and seventh in the conference. Her six assists slot fifth in the PL, as do her 20 points (seven goals & six assists). Leclercq joins Jen Zimmerman (1998) as the only Bison to win Defender of the Year.
Althouse, a sophomore, has developed into one of the Patriot League's finest goalkeepers. Her 1.84 goals against average ranks third in the loop and 45th nationally. She sits fourth in save percentage (.716) and saves per game (4.53). Althouse has logged 15 career wins in the cage and should enter the Bucknell top ten list next year. She became the first Bison goalkeeper since Olivia Harris, a First Team recipient in 2019, to notch a spot on an All-League Team.Â
Punt, a junior midfielder, set up the Bucknell attack with her nine assists ranking second in the Patriot League. All season, she centered the insertion passes from Hannah Guarente and Isabella Pavlides to provide excellent opportunities for Leclercq and Neilson. The efforts paid off with Bucknell leading the conference in goals per game (2.31) and Punt ranking 21st nationally (.56) in assists per game. Beyond assists, Punt covered ground directing the ball up and down the pitch and creating space for the Bison forwards.Â
Puorro, a junior midfielder, repeated her Second Team All-League honor from the 2023 season. She contributed five points (two goals and one assists) but her greatest strength was her inexhaustible energy on the pitch. Puorro flashed everywhere on the field deftly maneuvering around opponent sticks all season long. Her finest value laid in the hidden stats that her mere presence demanded with her ability to push the sphere into the shooting circle.Â
The five All-League members and the Bison start the Patriot League Tournament as the No. 3 seed on Thursday afternoon against No. 2 Lafayette at 2 p.m. Should Bucknell win, they will face the winner of No. 1 American and No. 4 Boston on Saturday at 1 p.m. All contests are at American University and are on ESPN+.
2024 Patriot League Field Hockey Major Awards
Offensive Player of the Year – Lily Neilson, Bucknell, Sr., F
Defensive Player of the Year – Kira Leclercq, Bucknell, Jr., D
Goalkeeper of the Year – Bryn Underwood, American, Gr., GK
Rookie of the Year – Olivia Morraye, American, Fr., D
Coach of the Year – Steve Jennings, American
Â
2024 First Team All-Patriot League Field Hockey*
Agustina Roffo, American, Sr., M
Bryn Underwood, American, Gr., GK
Tayla-Jade Weiss, American, Sr., D
Payton Anderson, Boston University, Sr., D
Martu Coulo, Boston University, Jr., F/M
Kira Leclercq, Bucknell, Jr., D
Lily Neilson, Bucknell, Sr., F
Meggan Fourie, Holy Cross, Sr., A
Raffi Fragomeni, Lafayette, Jr., GK
Lineke Spaans, Lafayette, Sr., M
Makenzie Switzer, Lafayette, Jr., D
Julia Gatelein, Lehigh, 5th, M
Kiki Mes, Lehigh, Jr., M
2024 Second Team All-Patriot League Field Hockey
Jordan Reicher, American, So., F
Nicole Lauro, Boston University, So., F/M
Sarah Althouse, Bucknell, So., GK
Nicky Punt, Bucknell, Jr., M
Gianna Puorro, Bucknell, Jr., F
Grace Schmelzinger, Colgate, Jr., M
Sarah Potter, Holy Cross, Gr., A
Stella Malinowski, Lafayette, So., M
India Ralph, Lafayette, Sr., D
Josephine van Wijk, Lafayette, Jr., M
KK Sauve, Lehigh, Jr., B
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*Additional players selected to the First-Team due to ties in the voting
Players Mentioned
GK
/ Field Hockey
M
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D
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F
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F/M
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M
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F/M
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