Field Hockey Hits the Big Apple for Two Nonconference Games

Bucknell (1-3, 0-0 PL) at Wagner (1-2, 0-0 NEC)
When: Friday, September 13 – 3 p.m.
Where: Wagner College Field Hockey Complex – Staten Island, N.Y.
Streaming: NEC Front Row
Live Stats: wagnerathletics.com

Bucknell (1-3, 0-0 PL) at Columbia (0-1, 0-0 Ivy)
When: Sunday, September 15 – 1 p.m.
Where: Columbia Field Hockey Field – New York City, N.Y.
Streaming: ESPN+
Live Stats: gocolumbialions.com

Lily Neilson: Tales from the Herd Feature

About Bucknell

Bucknell played two home games last weekend and fell 1-0 to Delaware in overtime and defeated UMass Lowell 2-0. The loss to Delaware snapped the Orange & Blue's undefeated streak at Holmes dating back to 2022. Seniors Zoe Carlson-Pietraszek and Lily Neilson led the charge against UMass Lowell, each recording a goal.
Sarah Althouse received Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Week for her sensational play in the cage. The sophomore shot-saver played nearly 130 minutes and only yielded one goal.
The weekly rewards haul did not cease with Althouse. Kira Leclercq won Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week for notching two defensive saves. The junior defender moved her career total to 17 all-time, second in Bucknell history and fifth in the Patriot League record books.
Leclercq's five defensive saves on the season are first nationally by two.
Bucknell returns to the road with two more nonconference games before Patriot League play commences.
Both games will be streamed. The Wagner contest will be available on NEC Front Row and the Columbia showdown is on ESPN+. The links are 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 17 one-goal games. The trend has continued this season with the losses to Delaware and Miami (OH).
Head coach Kelsey Kolojejchick enters her third season in Lewisburg. Kolojejchick needs one victory to gain full possession of seventh 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 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.
Bucknell was winless on the road last season and has started 0-2 in 2024 expeditions.

Scouting Wagner

The Seahawks are 1-2 on the season, having lost to La Salle and Patriot League foe Lehigh before defeating Towson.
Wagner finished 6-12 overall in 2023 but went 4-3 in the NEC. They made a Cinderella run to the NEC Championship Game before falling in overtime to Sacred Heart in a dramatic and heartbreaking 1-0 loss.
The Staten Island team was selected to finish third in the nine-team NEC. The team returns senior Emma Lofstedt, a 2023 All-NEC First Team member, and sophomore Charlotte Muller, who made Second Team All-NEC as a freshman.
Aubrey Mytych has been tabbed as Wagner's interim head coach for the 2024 season.

Series History with the Seahawks

The series started last season with a 3-0 Bucknell victory in Lewisburg.

Scouting Columbia

The Lions started a week later than other schools, losing 4-1 to perennial Atlantic 10 power UMass on Sept. 6. They play LIU on Sept. 13.
Columbia suffered a difficult 2023 season, going 3-13 overall and 0-7 in the Ivy League. The Lions currently have a nine-game losing streak dating back to last year.
The Lions were picked to finish last among the Ancient Eight. The league did not designate a preseason all-conference team.
Their head coach, Nicole Miller, was just hired a month ago, and in a twist, was Wagner's head coach. She was the first head coach in the Seahawks's history and quickly built the Staten Island program into a NEC player.

Series History with the Lions

The Bison lead the series, 8-4. From 1996-2002, it was a yearly contest. This is the first game since 2017, a riotous 4-3 affair, and a win for Bucknell.

Up Next

The Bison return to home sweet Holmes to welcome two top-tier foes in Patriot League powerhouse Boston University (Sept. 20) and nationally ranked Penn State (Sept. 22).

Field Hockey Hits the Big Apple for Two Nonconference Games

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Sarah Althouse

Zoe Carlson-Pietraszek

Hope Davis

Kira Leclercq

Lily Neilson

Field Hockey Hits the Big Apple for Two Nonconference Games

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Sarah Althouse

Zoe Carlson-Pietraszek

Hope Davis

Kira Leclercq

Lily Neilson

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