Two Key Home Games at Holmes Await Field Hockey This Weekend

Bucknell (2-4, 0-0 PL) vs. Boston University (3-3, 0-0 PL)
When: Friday, September 20 – 4 p.m.
Where: Graham Field at Holmes Stadium – Lewisburg, Pa.
Streaming: ESPN+
Live Stats: bucknellbison.com

Bucknell (2-4, 0-0 PL) vs. #20 Penn State (3-3, 0-0 PL)
When: Sunday, September 22 – 1 p.m.
Where: Graham Field at Holmes Stadium – Lewisburg, Pa.
Streaming: ESPN+
Live Stats: bucknellbison.com

About Bucknell

Bucknell headed to the Big Apple last weekend and split a pair of non-conference games versus Wagner and Columbia. The Bison positioned themselves 2-0 before Wagner stunned the Orange & Blue with four goals in 11 minutes to pull off the upset. Bucknell rebounded with a 2-1 victory against Ivy League Columbia. Sally Hunter and Gianna Puorro tallied the goals against Columbia. The win over Columbia was Bucknell's first road win since 2022.
Leclercq added another defensive save, keeping her first nationally with seven. She has three more than the second-place player.
The Bison return to Holmes Stadium to open Patriot League play with Boston University and welcome #20 Penn State University for a Route 45 Rivalry renewal.
Both games will be streamed 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. The Columbia victory gave Kolojejchick 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 44 career goals, she ranks third all-time for Bucknell.
The Bison named Lily Neilson & Hope Davis as captains.

Scouting Boston

The Terriers are 3-3 on the season, having played a difficult schedule. Boston fell to #17 Boston College, #12 Michigan, and Massachusetts, while defeating Brown, Maine, and Providence.
Boston finished 8-10 overall and 3-3 in the Patriot League last season. Their season ended in the Patriot League Semifinals when Lafayette upset them 3-2 in overtime.
Boston was projected to finish fourth in the seven-team Patriot League. Back Payton Anderson and midfielder Martu Coulo were named to the Preseason All-Patriot League Team.
Anderson leads the team with four goals.
Boston rotates two goalkeepers Sophie Ortyl and Katie Thomason.
Sally Starr enters her 43rd year as head coach.

Series History with the Terriers

Boston leads the all-time series 14-4. Fans should expect a close contest. The last 12 games have been one-goal affairs.

Scouting Penn State

The Nittany Lions are 3-3 on the season but are riding a three-game winning streak. The 2024 campaign began with three losses to Virginia, Syracuse, and St. Joseph, which are all currently ranked in the top 15. PSU regrouped and posted wins over Delaware, Kent State, and Princeton.
Penn State had a slight down year by their historical standards in 2023, going 9-8 overall and 4-4 in Big Ten play. The season ended in a Quarterfinals overtime loss to Ohio State in the Big Ten Tournament.
The Big Ten does not designate a preseason team or poll. The conference produced a watchlist and Sophia Gladieux, Sophia Mannino, and Drew Taylor represented the Nittany Lions.
Gladieux played for the U.S. Olympic Team this past summer in Paris. She has brought her star power to the 2024 pitch with ten goals in six games.
Lisa Bervinchak Love enters her second year as PSU's head coach.

Series History with the Nittany Lions

PSU leads the series, 40-0. The Pennsylvania derby has been played every season (except for the COVID-year of 2020-21) since 2007. The Bison lost 2-1 last season at Penn State. Bucknell led 1-0 before the Nittany Lions rallied for the win.

Up Next

Bucknell hits the road to Massachusetts to play Holy Cross on Sept. 28.

Two Key Home Games at Holmes Await Field Hockey This Weekend

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Hope Davis

Sally Hunter

Kira Leclercq

Lily Neilson

Gianna Puorro

Two Key Home Games at Holmes Await Field Hockey This Weekend

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Hope Davis

Sally Hunter

Kira Leclercq

Lily Neilson

Gianna Puorro

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