Neilson Earns Third Team All-America Honors
12/17/2024 2:03:00 PM | Field Hockey
LEWISBURG, Pa.- Lily Neilson cemented her legacy as the most decorated player in Bucknell field hockey history by receiving Third Team All-America honors announced Tuesday by the NFHCAÂ (National Field Hockey Coaches Association). The laurel makes Neilson the first two-time All-American in school history. Neilson received Second Team All-America recognition last year. Bucknell's forward is one of 48 athletes to receive a spot on the three All-American squads.Â
NFHCA Release
"Lily had such a stellar career and it is wonderful to see her end her career being recognized for the prestigious honor of Third Team All-American," said Bucknell head coach Kelsey Kolojejchick. "She had a phenomenal season and career and we are just so proud and thankful she wore the Bucknell uniform. She will be greatly missed and very hard to replace but we hope her amazing efforts inspire the current and future Bucknell field hockey players to strive to emulate her."
Her 2024 season was one for the history books. The Australian led the Patriot League in goals (18) and points (38), becoming the first player to lead the league in goals in all four years. Both her marks slotted third in Bucknell's single-season lists. Her 1.06 goals per game average ranked third nationally. She won Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year thrice – a first in PL history, and her First Team All-Patriot League slot was her fourth. She earned four Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week honors this season, tying the League record of 10, set by Lafayette's Deanna DiCroce (2009-12). She produced the nation's best stretch of 2+ goal games with four.
The senior striker completed her career as Bucknell's leader in career goals (60) and points (126), shattering Karin Wegener's records established in 1978. Her totals rank second (goals) and eighth (points) in Patriot League history. She accomplished those marks despite missing several games while competing for Australia's Junior World Cup squad.
Neilson's burgeoning trophy case holds three Offensive Player of the Year awards, two All-American honors, four First Team All-Patriot Leagues notches, three First Team All-Region selections, Second Team All-ECAC, two Academic All-Patriot League slots, and a spot on the NFHCA Division I Senior Team. She set the program's single-game goal records with five tallies versus Holy Cross on Sept. 17, 2021, and recorded three hat tricks and 14 braces.
Lauren Campbell (2001) and Kaelyn Long (2020-21) were the previous Third Team All-American honorees in Bucknell history.
Neilson's postgraduate plans involve entering medical school and continuing her dream of making the Australian Field Hockey national team.
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NFHCA Release
"Lily had such a stellar career and it is wonderful to see her end her career being recognized for the prestigious honor of Third Team All-American," said Bucknell head coach Kelsey Kolojejchick. "She had a phenomenal season and career and we are just so proud and thankful she wore the Bucknell uniform. She will be greatly missed and very hard to replace but we hope her amazing efforts inspire the current and future Bucknell field hockey players to strive to emulate her."
Her 2024 season was one for the history books. The Australian led the Patriot League in goals (18) and points (38), becoming the first player to lead the league in goals in all four years. Both her marks slotted third in Bucknell's single-season lists. Her 1.06 goals per game average ranked third nationally. She won Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year thrice – a first in PL history, and her First Team All-Patriot League slot was her fourth. She earned four Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week honors this season, tying the League record of 10, set by Lafayette's Deanna DiCroce (2009-12). She produced the nation's best stretch of 2+ goal games with four.
The senior striker completed her career as Bucknell's leader in career goals (60) and points (126), shattering Karin Wegener's records established in 1978. Her totals rank second (goals) and eighth (points) in Patriot League history. She accomplished those marks despite missing several games while competing for Australia's Junior World Cup squad.
Neilson's burgeoning trophy case holds three Offensive Player of the Year awards, two All-American honors, four First Team All-Patriot Leagues notches, three First Team All-Region selections, Second Team All-ECAC, two Academic All-Patriot League slots, and a spot on the NFHCA Division I Senior Team. She set the program's single-game goal records with five tallies versus Holy Cross on Sept. 17, 2021, and recorded three hat tricks and 14 braces.
Lauren Campbell (2001) and Kaelyn Long (2020-21) were the previous Third Team All-American honorees in Bucknell history.
Neilson's postgraduate plans involve entering medical school and continuing her dream of making the Australian Field Hockey national team.
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Players Mentioned
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