Field Hockey Faces American on Friday with First Place at Stake; Plays Towson in Sunday Matinee

Bucknell (6-5, 3-1 Patriot League) at American (7-5, 3-0 Patriot League)
When: Friday, October 17 – 3 p.m.
Where: Jacobs Recreational Center – Washington, D.C.
Streaming: ESPN+
Live Stats: aueagles.com

Bucknell (6-5) at Towson (6-8)
When: Sunday, October 19 – Noon
Where: TU Field Hockey Complex – Towson, Md.
Streaming: FloCollege
Live Stats: towsontigers.com

About Bucknell

The Bison collected their biggest victory of 2025 with a 4-0 shutout of league powerhouse Boston. The result improved Bucknell to 6-5 overall and 3-1 in the Patriot League. The score was 0-0 at halftime with the Terriers out-shooting the Orange & Blue, 10-0. Bucknell flipped the switch in the second half and scored four goals from different players. Gianna Puorro started the festival with a beautiful shot. Kira Leclercq added a score off a penalty corner situation. Katie Lintz tapped in a goal off a Reese Czajkowski pass. Czajkowski concluded the barrage with a long-distance strike. Sarah Althouse played exceptionally in the cage, netting six saves.
Bucknell collected three weekly awards. Althouse earned Goalkeeper of the Week for the third consecutive season. Czajkowski notched her first Offensive Player of the Week. Leclercq received her third Defensive Player of the Week award in 2025 and seventh overall - most in Bucknell history.
The American game will be streamed on ESPN+ and the Towson clash will be available on FloCollege and the links are available in this preview and on the Bucknell field hockey schedule page. The Live Stats links are available on the Bucknell field hockey schedule page. Live updates will be posted on the Bucknell Field Hockey X account.
Bucknell finished 8-9 overall and 4-2 in Patriot League play during the 2024 season and earned a spot in the Patriot League Tournament for the 17th consecutive season. The Orange & Blue earned the third seed and faced second-seeded Lafayette in the Patriot League Semifinals. The Bison dueled the Leopards and dropped a 2-1 game to the eventual Patriot League champions.
Head coach Kelsey Kolojejchick enters her fourth season in Lewisburg. Her 27 career wins are the fifth-most in Bucknell history. Bucknell has made the Patriot League Tournament every year under her direction.
The Bison lost eight players to graduation, including seven starters, the most notable being two-time All-American and career goals leader Lily Neilson. The Bison restocked seven freshmen to blend with the 16 newcomers.
Bucknell was projected to finish third in the Patriot League preseason poll. Reigning champion Lafayette was picked to repeat, followed by American, Bucknell, and Boston. Colgate and Holy Cross rounded out the six-team poll.
Senior Kira Leclercq repeated as Patriot League Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, after winning the 2024 Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year award. Leclercq dominated on defense in 2024, leading nationally in defensive saves (9), earning First Team All-Patriot League, All-ECAC, and NFHCA Regional honors.
Senior midfielders Nicky Punt and Gianna Puorro joined Leclercq on the All-Patriot League Preseason Team.
Bucknell named Leclercq, Punt, and Alexandra Shizas as captains.
Several Bison sit high in the conference leaderboards. Punt ranks first in the circuit in assists with eight. Leclercq sits second in points (19). Czajkowski and Leclercq slot tied for fifth with seven goals.
Multiple Bison represent in the national rankings. Leclercq is tied for third in defensive saves (3). Althouse slots 11th in save percentage (.785). Punt sits 13th in assists per game (.73).

Scouting American

The Eagles are 7-5 overall and 3-0 in conference action. They defeated preseason Patriot League favorite Lafayette 3-1, blanked Boston 2-0, and squeezed Colgate 2-0. American opened the season with a 10-0 rout of William & Mary. The Eagles narrowly fell 2-1 to No. 5 Duke and 1-0 to No. 13 Saint Joseph's.
Their most recent outing was a 1-0 loss to double overtime to VCU, a defeat which broke their five-game winning streak.
American finished 12-8 overall and 6-0 in the PL last year. Their season ended with a 2-1 upset by Lafayette in the Patriot League Championship Game.
The team relies on its tenacious defense, having only yielded 12 goals.
The Eagles were projected to finish second in the seven-team loop.
Agustina Roffo received Preseason Midfielder of the Year.
Roffo and Emilia Winkler made the All-Patriot League Preseason Team.
Roffo has scored six goals.
Jordan Reicher leads the team in goals (8) and points (17).
Steve Jennings enters his 27th season at American, with an outstanding record of 323-178.

Series History with the Eagles

American leads the all-time series, 32-9, and have won the last five games. Four of the five contests have been one-score affairs.

Scouting Towson

The Tigers are 6-8 overall and 2-0 in CAA action. They faced one Patriot League team in American and were routed 5-0.
Towson last played on Oct. 12 and were edged 3-2 by Saint Francis.
The Tigers went 7-11 overall and in 1-5 in CAA last season. They did not qualify for the CAA Tournament.
Towson was projected to finish fourth in the five-team conference.
Tessa Scheenstra and Anouk Westerink were named to the All-CAA Preseason Team.
Three different players lead the team with four goals.
Katie Gerzabek Salem enters her third season at Towson and has a 23-29 overall record.

Series History with the Tigers

Bucknell leads the all-time series, 21-10 and won the last five games, including the most recent matchup in 2023, 7-4. The two teams used to be annual rivals, meeting every season from 1983-2009.

Up Next

Bucknell travels to local rival Lock Haven for the I-80 Romp on Oct. 22.

Field Hockey Faces American on Friday with First Place at Stake; Plays Towson in Sunday Matinee

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Sarah Althouse

Reese Czajkowski

Kira Leclercq

Katie Lintz

Lily Neilson

Nicky Punt

Gianna Puorro

Alexandra Shizas

Field Hockey Faces American on Friday with First Place at Stake; Plays Towson in Sunday Matinee

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Sarah Althouse

Reese Czajkowski

Kira Leclercq

Katie Lintz

Lily Neilson

Nicky Punt

Gianna Puorro

Alexandra Shizas

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