Field Hockey Begins Home Schedule Versus Delaware & UMass Lowell

Bucknell (0-2, 0-0 PL) vs. Delaware (0-1, 0-0 CAA)
When: Friday, September 6 – 6 p.m.
Where: Graham Field at Holmes Stadium – Lewisburg, Pa.
Streaming: ESPN+
Live Stats: bucknellbison.com

Bucknell (0-2, 0-0 PL) vs. UMass Lowell (1-1, 0-0 AE)
When: Sunday, September 8 – Noon.
Where: Graham Field at Holmes Stadium – Lewisburg, Pa.
Streaming: ESPN+
Live Stats: bucknellbison.com

About Bucknell

The Bison's 52nd season of collegiate field hockey commenced in the Buckeye State against Miami (OH) and Ohio State. The Bison fell 2-1 to Miami (OH) and dropped a tough-fought 4-1 decision to #14 Ohio State.
Bucknell starts its home portion with two strong foes entering Lewisburg in Delaware and UMass Lowell.
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 16 one-goal games. The trend has continued this season with the loss to Miami (OH).
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.
Leclercq recorded three defensive saves against #14 Ohio State, amounting to 15 for her career. She is tied with Steph Graf (2005-08) for second place in Bucknell history.
Reese Czajkowski and Sally Hunter welcomed their collegiate careers by each scoring a goal this past weekend.
Bucknell went 7-0 last year at Holmes. The Bison were one of three teams to stay undefeated in friendly confines.

Scouting Delaware

The Blue Hens opened the 2024 season by playing Patriot League foe Lafayette. The Leopards edged Delaware in a defensive 1-0 clash.
Delaware, like Bucknell, went 8-9 in 2023 against a difficult schedule. The Blue Hens recorded a 3-3 record in the CAA and missed the conference tournament. The season concluded on a high note with Delaware winning its last three contests.
The Newark-based team was picked to finish fifth in the seven-team CAA. The squad gathered three preseason All-CAA accolades, with Genevieve Johnson named to the All-CAA Team and Noelle Sabbagh and Rachael Whitehead receiving honorable mention.
Rolf van de Kerkhof enters his 14th season as the Blue Hens leader with a career record of 159-86. Delaware won the 2016 national championship.
The Blue Hens are named after the Delaware regiments in the Revolutionary War. The Delaware Line was famed for its tenacious and high-quality, acquiring the Blue Hens moniker.

Series History with the Blue Hens

Delaware leads the all-time series, 10-2-2. Bucknell won both its game in overtime (1984 & 1989). The two teams haven't met since 2015.

Scouting UMass Lowell

UMass Lowell opened the 2024 campaign with a smashing 6-0 win over Merrimack but lost 3-1 two days later against #5 Duke.
Lowell serves as the third opponent on Bucknell's schedule that recorded 14 wins in 2023. The Riverhawks enjoyed a career season, going 14-4 overall and 7-1 in the America East. They entered the conference tournament as the number one seed but fourth-seed California clipped their wings in a double overtime semifinal thriller
The Riverhawks were picked to finish seventh in the America East. Alissia de Vries and Madison Leeper earned spots on the league's inaugural Preseason All-Conference Team. Leeper tallied 14 goals in 2023 and de Vries won America East Defensive Player of the Year.
Shannon LeBlanc, Lowell's longest-serving coach, enters her 23rd year in charge. She won two NCAA Division II Championships (2005, 2010).

Series History with the Riverhawks

The series is tied 1-1, with Bucknell winning the first game in 2014 and UMass Lowell taking home the 3-2 victory last season. The Bison were without Lily Neilson's services as the Australian forward was playing for her country at the Junior World Cup.

Up Next

The Bison head to the Big Apple to face Wagner (Sept. 13) and Columbia (Sept. 15).

Field Hockey Begins Home Schedule Versus Delaware & UMass Lowell

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Reese Czajkowski

Hope Davis

Sally Hunter

Kira Leclercq

Lily Neilson

Field Hockey Begins Home Schedule Versus Delaware & UMass Lowell

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Reese Czajkowski

Hope Davis

Sally Hunter

Kira Leclercq

Lily Neilson

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