Field Hockey Duels Boston This Saturday in Pivotal Game for Seeding

Bucknell (5-5, 2-1 Patriot League) at Boston University (5-6, 2-1 Patriot League)
When: Saturday, October 11 – Noon
Where: New Balance Field – Boston, Mass.
Streaming: ESPN+
Live Stats: goterriers.com

About Bucknell

The Bison routed fellow conference member Holy Cross 4-1 and moved to 2-1 in Patriot League play. Bucknell scored four goals before the Crusaders tallied their solo score late in the final period. Kira Leclercq commenced the barrage and then supplied two assists for Reese Czajkowski and Gianna Puorro. Ryane Fisahn added the final cage-finder. Nicky Punt provided two assists.
The game will be streamed on ESPN+ and the link is available in this preview and on the Bucknell field hockey schedule page. The Live Stats link is 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 26 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.
The Bison 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 seven. Czajkowski and Leclercq slot tied for fifth with six goals.
Leclercq sits third in points (17).

Scouting Boston

The Terriers are 5-6 overall and 2-1 in conference play. They upset Beantown rival No. 4 Boston College 1-0 but were recently plastered 7-0 by No. 4 Harvard.
Boston defeated Holy Cross and Lehigh but lost 2-0 to American in league play.
The Terriers finished 6-11 overall and 3-3 in conference play last year. They fell 1-0 to American in the 2024 Patriot League Tournament Semifinals.
Boston did not play a single game outside Massachusetts until facing Lehigh on Oct. 4. They will only play three games outside the Bay State: Colgate, Lehigh, and Maine.
The Terriers were projected to finish fourth in the seven-team circuit.
Martu Coulo and Nicky Lauro made the All-Patriot League Preseason Team.
Caroline O'Brien has emerged as the loop's leader in goals (10) and points (26).
Sally Starr enters her 45th season at Boston with an outstanding record of 506-353-19. She coached two years at Bucknell (1979 & 1980).

Series History with the Boston

Boston leads the all-time series 14-5. Bucknell defeated the Terriers 2-1 last year in overtime. The last 13 games have been one-goal affairs with six of the contests going to overtime and three of those matches turning into double overtime affairs.

Up Next

Bucknell travels to league-leading American on Oct. 17 for a conference showdown.

Field Hockey Duels Boston This Saturday in Pivotal Game for Seeding

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Reese Czajkowski

Ryane Fisahn

Kira Leclercq

Lily Neilson

Nicky Punt

Gianna Puorro

Alexandra Shizas

Field Hockey Duels Boston This Saturday in Pivotal Game for Seeding

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Reese Czajkowski

Ryane Fisahn

Kira Leclercq

Lily Neilson

Nicky Punt

Gianna Puorro

Alexandra Shizas

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