Field Hockey Hits the Buckeye State for Regular Season Openers against Miami (OH) & No. 14 Ohio State

Bucknell (0-0, 0-0 PL) at Miami (OH) (0-0, 0-0 MAC)
When: Friday, August 30 – 2 p.m.
Where: Miami Field Hockey Complex – Oxford, Ohio
Streaming: Chatterbox
Live Stats: miamiredhawks.com

Bucknell (0-0, 0-0 PL) at No. 14 Ohio State (0-0, 0-0 BIG 10)
When: Sunday, September 1 – 1 p.m.
Where: Buckeye Varsity Field – Columbus, Ohio
Streaming: BIG+
Live Stats: ohiostatebuckeyes.com

About Bucknell

The Bison's 52nd season of collegiate field hockey starts in the Buckeye State against Miami (OH) and Ohio State. Bucknell opened on the road last year against Drexel and Temple and lost both games.
Only the Ohio State game will be streamed. The contest is available on BIG+ and requires a subscription. The link is available in this preview and on the Bucknell field hockey schedule page. Live Stats links are 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 two seasons, Bucknell has lost 16 one-goal games.
Head coach Kelsey Kolojejchick enters her third season in Lewisburg. Kolojejchick needs one victory to move into a tie for seventh place in Bucknell history with Cheryl Stockman.
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 will host American in 2023.
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. With 42 career goals, she ranks third all-time for Bucknell.
The Bison named Lily Neilson & Hope Davis as captains.

Scouting Miami (OH)

Miami had a banner season in 2023, going 15-8 overall and 6-1 in the MAC. The Redhawks won the MAC Tournament and defeated California 3-0 in the NCAA Tournament before falling in the next round to Northwestern 3-0.
Miami is projected to finish first in the nine-team MAC. Star scorer Claudia Negrete Garcia returns as a graduate student. In 2023, she scored 16 goals and named to All-MAC First Team and a Second Team All-American by Synapse Sports.
Iñako Puzo enters his 14th season as the chief Redhawk. He owns a career record of 157-116.

Series History with the Redhawks

Bucknell leads the all-time series, 1-0. The opening salvo occurred last season in Lewisburg when the Bison defeated the Redhawks 2-1. Miami grabbed a 1-0 lead before Lily Neilson and Rachel Apa each scored a goal to erase the deficit.

Scouting Ohio State

Ohio State posted a 14-6 overall mark and went 4-4 in Big 10 play. Like Miami, their season ended with a loss to Northwestern. The Wildcats defeated the Buckeyes 3-1 in the Big 10 Tournament. They had ranked wins over No. 1 Iowa, No. 8 Michigan, and No. 14 Penn State. Ohio State went 7-3 at home in 2023.
The Big 10 has abolished the typical preseason poll and all-league teams. Instead, the conference has a preseason watch list. Ohio State placed three players: Katie Fichtner, Anne Marie Krebs, and Makenna Webster.
Ohio State boasts a potent offense and an experienced goalkeeper. Their offense ranked second nationally in overall goals (62). Goalie Abby Danson has 58 starts.
Jarred Martin enters his eighth year as the Buckeyes head coach. Ohio State's 14 wins in 2023 were the most in 14 years.

Series History with the Buckeyes

The Buckeyes lead the all-time series 3-0. The Bison fall 2-1 last year at the Buckeye Invitational. Bucknell fell behind 2-0 before making a late rally with an Isabella Pavlides goal but the Orange & Blue could not generate an equalizer.

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