Kiera McClanahan Named Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week
4/7/2025 2:00:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
Lewisburg, Pa. - Kiera McClanahan has been named the Patriot League Women's Lacrosse Defensive Player of the Week for the first time in her collegiate career after her standout performance in the Bison's 10-9 loss to Colgate on Saturday.Â
McClanahan played a big role in the Bison's ability to keep the game with Colgate close through the frigid and rainy conditions. Bucknell struggled on the draw, only winning 5-of-22 draw controls throughout the game which forced them to find different ways of gaining possession. McClanahan was a major contributor in earning those possessions for the Bison as she recorded five caused turnovers and five ground balls in the game.Â
Two of McClanahan's five caused turnovers came at crucial moments in the game and created a major momentum shift for the Bison. Bucknell went into the fourth quarter down by four goals. After the first couple minutes went scoreless, McClanahan forced Colgate's Kendall Belanger to turn over the ball, giving the Bison possession. Bucknell was able to successfully clear the ball into their offensive zone off of the turnover and the play resulted in a Julianna Pagano goal to cut the deficit to three. This sparked an offensive push for the Bison as they would then score another goal just minutes later to make it a two-goal game. Fast forward another couple minutes and McClanahan would pop up once again as a spark plug for Bucknell as she forced Colgate's Lauren Kirk to turnover the ball and then recovered the ground ball herself to put Bucknell in transition on a possession that would lead to Megan Krestinski finding the back of the net to make it a one-goal game with five minutes left of play.
McClanahan's defensive ability shone throughout the game and made a major impact on the final quarter of play bringing Bucknell back into a game they were once down by four goals, but the Bison were unable to find the win as they would fall to the Raiders 10-9.Â
Bucknell currently sits at 5-7 overall and 1-4 in the Patriot League and will next face American at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium at 4 p.m. on Friday, April 11.Â
