Field Hockey Launches Conference Operations Versus Colgate on Friday

Bucknell (2-4) vs. Colgate (2-3)
When: Friday, September 19 – 4 p.m.
Where: Graham Field at Holmes Stadium – Lewisburg, Pa.
Streaming: ESPN+
Live Stats: bucknellbison.com

About Bucknell

The Bison played two road games last weekend against Route 45 Rival Penn State and Delaware and were defeated in both contests. The No. 17 Nittany Lions edged Bucknell 2-1 for the third consecutive year. Delaware dispatched the Orange & Blue, 3-1.
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 also 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 23 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.
Leclercq earned her second consecutive Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week award on Monday after scoring both of Bucknell's goals versus Delaware and Penn State. She also recorded a defensive save against Penn State.
The award made Bucknell history, as the laurel pushed Leclercq past Lexi Quick for most PL Defensive Player of the Week honors. The Bison senior now has six.

Scouting Colgate

Bucknell and Colgate each begin Patriot League play on Friday.
The Raiders finished 4-13 overall and 1-5 in conference play last season. Their one league victory came in a 1-0 slugfest over Holy Cross.
Colgate sits at 2-3 after five games with the wins coming over Lock Haven and LIU. The Raiders fell 2-1 to Cornell and Central Michigan and were blanked 3-0 by Rider.
The Raiders were picked to finish last in the seven-team Patriot League circuit and did not place a player on the preseason all-league team.
Morgan Willis has been a stud, scoring six of Colgate's 11 goals, with four of them arriving versus Lock Haven.
Her six goals currently lead the loop.
April Cornell-DeAngelis enters her ninth season as head coach and owns a career record of 26-102. She has never won more than four games in a campaign. Colgate's last winning season arrived in 2004.

Series History with the Raiders

Bucknell has dominated the all-time series 39-11-3 and has won the 18 out of 19 with the sole loss occurring during the spring 2020-21 season. The last two games have been shutouts: 5-0 (2023) and 4-0 (2024).

Up Next

Bucknell travels to Easton on Sept. 26 to face preseason Patriot League favorite Lafayette.

Field Hockey Launches Conference Operations Versus Colgate on Friday

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Kira Leclercq

Lily Neilson

Nicky Punt

Gianna Puorro

Alexandra Shizas

Field Hockey Launches Conference Operations Versus Colgate on Friday

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Kira Leclercq

Lily Neilson

Nicky Punt

Gianna Puorro

Alexandra Shizas

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