Leclercq Repeats as PL Defensive Player of the Year; Bison Slot Five on All-League Teams

LEWISBURG, Pa.- Bucknell Field Hockey achieved its first 10-win season since 2018 and clinched the three seed in the upcoming Patriot League Tournament. The conference voters recognized the Bison's accomplishments, awarding senior defender Kira Leclercq her second consecutive Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year and naming five players to the All-League Teams. Senior midfielder Nicky Punt joined Leclercq on the First Team list while junior goalkeeper Sarah Althouse, sophomore forward Reese Czajkowski, and senior midfielder Gianna Puorro earned Second Team slots.

Leclercq conjured history all season and her latest treasure haul added to her impressive resume. She became the first Bison to ever win Defensive Player of the Year twice and the first Patriot League athlete since Boston's Ally Hammel in 2017 & 2018. The senior joined a select group of Orange & Blue members to win First Team All-Patriot League honors three times and notch All-League laurels four times.

Her offensive and defensive dominance is reflected in the conference's leaderboards. Leclercq sits second in goals (12), points (30), and defensive saves (6). Her name populates the Bucknell and Patriot League record books. The senior moved into the Bison top ten for career goals (26) - ninth all-time, and career points (71) - ninth all-time. Her 27 defensive saves are second all-time and two away from tying Monica McCorry (1998-01) and they are fourth in PL history.

She sits third nationally in defensive saves this season, one year after leading the nation. In other NCAA rankings, Leclercq slots 27th in goals per game (.75) and 28th in points per game (1.88).

Punt earned Second Team last year and the midfielder upped her game in 2025 to unlock First Team. The senior made the midfield her domain, regularly directing the offensive attack or blunting opponent efforts. The premier stick stop in the conference, Punt's 12 assists lead the league and rank tied for third in Bucknell's single season history. She slots 12th nationally in assists per game (.75). Her 28 career assists are tied for fourth in Bucknell history with legend Morgan Kauffman (2008-11).

Althouse has developed into one of the Mid-Atlantic's finest goalkeepers, as she repeats her Second Team placement. Her .777 save percentage leads the league and slots 11th nationally. She ranks second in the loop in goals against average (1.33) and shutouts (4). Althouse has broken into the Bison record book, placing eighth in career shutouts (8) and wins (22). Her .550 winning percentage (22-18) moved her into fifth in Bucknell history.

Czajkowski became 2025's sophomore sensation. She seized the reins as Bucknell's premier forward and her 10 goals, combined with Leclercq's 12, gave Bucknell its first double-digit duo since 2008 when Amanda Faust (11) and Trina Boyer (10) punished cages. Czajkowski demonstrated impressive open-field shooting all year and racked up a highlight reel of goals. She ranks fourth in the conference in goals and 42nd nationally.

Puorro repeated as Third Team for the third consecutive year. The swiftly darting midfielder returned after a scary injury against Saint Francis to resume her activities as one of the PL's best. Her stats (eight points on three goals and two assists) belie her immense impact on Bucknell's offense. Puorro's knack for escorting the ball from end of the field to the other set up multiple Bison scoring opportunities and Bucknell went 7-2 after her resumption of play, averaging 3.2 goals per game. In contrast, the Orange & Blue averaged two goals per game during her four-contest absence.

Bucknell travels to Washington D.C. on Thursday for the Patriot League Tournament. It is the 18th consecutive conference tournament for the Orange & Blue. The Bison face second-seeded Lafayette in the semifinals - a rematch of last year's 2-1 semifinal contest that the Leopards won. The game is scheduled for 2 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.

2025 Patriot League Field Hockey Major Awards
Offensive Player of the Year – Jordan Reicher, American, Jr., F
Midfielder of the Year – Agustina Roffo, American, Gr., M
Defensive Player of the Year – Kira Leclercq, Bucknell, Sr., D
Goalkeeper of the Year – Raffi Fragomeni, Lafayette,
Rookie of the Year – Lotti Sume, American, Fr., D
Coaching Staff of the Year – American (Head Coach Steve Jennings)

2025 First Team All-Patriot League Field Hockey
Agustina Roffo, American, Gr., M
Jordan Reicher, American, Jr., F
Emilia Winkler, American, Jr., M
Caroline O'Brien, Boston University, Sr., F
Martu Coulo, Boston University, Sr., M
Kira Leclercq, Bucknell, Sr., D
Nicky Punt, Bucknell, Sr., M
Maguire Sturgis, Holy Cross, Jr., M
Lena Thedrian, Lafayette, Jr., D
Makenzie Switzer, Lafayette, Sr., D
Raffi Fragomeni, Lafayette, Sr., GK

2025 Second Team All-Patriot League Field Hockey*
Lotti Sume, American, Fr., D
Sophie Willemse, American, Fr., D
Delfi Coulo, Boston University, Fr., F
Sarah Althouse, Bucknell, Jr., GK
Reese Czajkowski, Bucknell, So., F
Gianna Puorro, Bucknell, Sr., F
Dani Palmer, Colgate, Sr., F
Morgan Willis, Colgate, Jr., F
Kendall Brady, Holy Cross, So., A
Mia McCloskey, Holy Cross, So., GK
Josephine van Wijk, Lafayette, Sr., M
Zoe Day, Lehigh, Sr., B
Kiki Mes, Lehigh, Sr., M