Four Goal Second Half Leads Bucknell to 5-2 Win over Lehigh; Cements First 10-Win Season Since 2018

LEWISBURG, Pa.- Kira Leclercq collected a brace and Reese Czajkowski scored off a magnificent sole effort to lead Bucknell (10-6, 4-2 Patriot League) to a 5-2 win over Keystone Clash rival Lehigh (4-13, 1-5 Patriot League) in the regular season finale on Saturday afternoon. The Bison trailed 2-1 at halftime but the second half was a different tale with the Orange & Blue outscoring the Mountain Hawks 4-0. The win clinched Bucknell's first 10-win season since 2018.

Bucknell scored three goals in the final nine minutes to break the tie and seal the victory. Leclercq's two goals are her 11th and 12th of the season, moving her into first in the Patriot League. Czajkowski tallied her tenth goal, giving the Bison double-digit scorers for the first time since 2008 when Amanda Faust (11) and Trina Boyer (10) pulled the trick.

Nicky Punt tied her career-high in assists with three, moving her career total to 28, which tied Morgan Kauffman's 28 (2007-10) for fourth in Bucknell history. Punt's 12 assists in 2025 are tied for third with Mackenzie Kile (2021 & 2022) for third in Bucknell's record book.

The Orange & Blue dominated the statistical record, outshooting Lehigh 25-6 and obtaining six penalty corners to the Mountain Hawks' one.

Lehigh scored first in the 12th minute, when Jordan Kells sneaked along the left flank and passed to Aubrey Ide. Ide collected the transition and fired a shot past a surging Sarah Althouse.

Bucknell tied the game five minutes later off a penalty corner opportunity. Hunter started the play with the insertion. Leclercq passed to Czajkowski. The sophomore's shot slipped through the goalkeeper's legs but required Hunter's stick to enter the cage.

The Mountain Hawks flew ahead 2-1 scoring 16 seconds before halftime. Kiki Mes sent the desperation pass into the circle and Riley Thurston thrust her stick and sent the spinning sphere beyond a lunging Althouse's reach.

After halftime, the Bison wasted little time evening the game by scoring just under two minutes. Bucknell used the old reliable standby of a penalty corner a Leclercq swing. Hunter sent the insertion to Punt, who expertly settled and set up the ball for Leclercq. The senior defender powdered the sphere home for the 2-2 tie.

Lehigh appeared to score a go-ahead goal later in the period and its bench celebrated but the goal was waved off for a dangerous swing.

The Bison seized advantage and started its goal spree at the 51th minute when Punt found Czajkowski on a beautiful long-range pass. The sophomore displayed her tremendous 2025 growth by expertly handling the pass, maneuvering past the Lehigh defenders, and scoring her tenth goal of the year. It was a masterclass effort by Czajkowski and Punt that completely shifted the momentum.

Bucknell smelled blood and added an insurance goal two minutes later. Once again, a penalty corner provided the opportunity. Head coach Kelsey Kolojejchick called for a stratagem. Leclercq fired a pass to Puorro and the senior guided the speeding projectile into the cage.

Leclercq completed her brace at the 58-minute mark. Another Bison penalty corner set up the traditional Hunter-to-Punt-to-Leclercq routine which scored the fifth and final goal.

Lehigh finally generated its first penalty corner with five seconds remaining. Bucknell's defense refused to allow a moral victory and deflected the shot attempt away.

Bucknell heads to the Patriot League Tournament this Thursday. The third-seeded Bison face the second-seeded Lafayette Leopards in a rematch of 2024's semifinal bout. The game is scheduled for 2 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.

Four Goal Second Half Leads Bucknell to 5-2 Win over Lehigh; Cements First 10-Win Season Since 2018

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Team Stats

Kira Leclercq

Sally Hunter

Reese Czajkowski

Nicky Punt

Players Mentioned

Sarah Althouse

Reese Czajkowski

Kira Leclercq

Nicky Punt