Leclercq Nets Hat Trick, Neilson Reaches More Milestones as Field Hockey Surges Past Holy Cross, 5-1

WORCESTER, Mass. – Kira Leclercq registered her first career hat trick, Lily Neilson scored twice to become the third player in Bucknell history with 100 career points, and the Bucknell field hockey team took control with five unanswered goals in a 5-1 win at Holy Cross on Saturday. The Bison improved to 2-0 in the Patriot League and have won three of four overall, with the only loss in this recent hot stretch coming in overtime against nationally ranked Penn State.

The Bison managed only one shot in the first quarter and found themselves trailing early in the second after Kendall Blomquist cleaned up a loose ball in front after a Marissa Maclean centering feed. But the visitors ramped up the pressure after falling behind and had the Crusaders pinned in their own end for most of the remainder of the match.

The Bison generated 13 penalty corners and scored on four of them, with Leclercq ripping three of her own and assisting to Neilson on the other.

Bucknell made excellent use of video replay on its equalizing goal in the second quarter. Leclercq's attempt off a corner took a deflection and ramped up squarely off the crossbar. A replay review showed that the ball struck the foot of a Holy Cross flyer, and on the second corner attempt, Leclerq's shot tipped off the stick of a Crusader and into the top of the cage.

The floodgates opened in the third quarter, as Bucknell earned six penalty corners in the first 5:12. Mia McCloskey, who had a strong game in goal with 10 saves, stopped Gianna Puorro and Leclercq twice, but the Bison cashed in with 3:00 to play in the period. Leclercq faked a shot and slipped a nifty pass to her left to Neilson, who one-timed a shot through McCloskey's pads to give Bucknell its first lead of the day.

Here's a look at Lily's tiebreaking goal! Sweet little dish from Kira to set it up. #rayBucknell

Watch: https://t.co/EnlkHgtUar @PatriotLeagueHQ | @ESPN pic.twitter.com/8knuILbVR7
— Bucknell FieldHockey (@Bucknell_FH) September 28, 2024

Just over 90 seconds later it was 3-1, as Neilson broke around her mark from the left flank and tucked a shot inside the left post.

Neilson now has 49 career goals and 103 career points. She joins Hall-of-Famers Karin Wegener (122 from 1975-78) and Kathy Kline (103 from 1976-79) as the only Bucknell players with 100 career points. She also moved past Kline into second place on Bucknell's all-time goals list. Wegener holds the career goals record with 55. Neilson also broke into the Patriot League's all-time top-10 list for career goals, passing Holy Cross's Michele Gagne, who collected 48 goals from 1991-94.

The Bison were not finished padding their lead, as Leclercq scored twice more in the fourth quarter on nearly identical shots past McCloskey's outstretched right pad and into the back of the cage. Leclercq, the Patriot League Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, logged her first three goals of the season and now has 10 in her career.

IT'S A HATTY FOR KIRA! #rayBucknell

Watch: https://t.co/EnlkHgtmkT @PatriotLeagueHQ | @ESPN pic.twitter.com/3qej5wpJ2M
— Bucknell FieldHockey (@Bucknell_FH) September 28, 2024

Nicky Punt was the stopper on all three of Leclercq's drives, giving her a three-assist afternoon, and tying her for second in Bucknell's single-game history. Sarah Althouse had a strong game in goal with five saves, and she made a big play in the fourth quarter to tip away a cross with a Crusader waiting on the back post.

The Bison remained at the top of the Patriot League standings with wins over Boston University and Holy Cross, and now they will prep for a key showdown with Lafayette at 6 p.m. on Friday at Graham Field at Holmes Stadium.