Field Hockey Opens Home Slate Versus Saint Francis and Temple

Bucknell (1-1) vs. Saint Francis (1-1)
When: Friday, September – 5 p.m.
Where: Graham Field at Holmes Stadium – Lewisburg, Pa.
Streaming: ESPN+
Live Stats: bucknellbison.com

Bucknell (1-1) vs. Temple (2-0)
When: Sunday, September – 11 a.m.
Where: Graham Field at Holmes Stadium – Lewisburg, Pa.
Streaming: ESPN+
Live Stats: bucknellbison.com

About Bucknell

The Bison's 53nd season of collegiate field hockey started last weekend in Connecticut where the Bison defeated Sacred Heart 2-1 and fell 2-0 to Quinnipiac.
Both games will be streamed on ESPN+. The contest is available on BIG+ and requires a subscription. The links are available in this preview and on the Bucknell field hockey schedule page. Live Stats links are also available on the Bucknell field hockey schedule page. Live updates will be posted on the Bucknell Field Hockey X page.
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 17h consecutive season. The Orange & Blue earned the third-seed and faced second-seeded Lafayette in the Patriot League Semifinals. The Bison dueled the Leopards but dropped a 2-1 game to the eventual Patriot League champions.
Head coach Kelsey Kolojejchick enters her four season in Lewisburg. Her 21 career wins are fifth-most in Bucknell history. Bucknell has made the Patriot League Tournament every year under her direction.
Bucknell lost eight players to graduation, including seven starters, and 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. 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.

Scouting Saint Francis

Saint Francis controversially announced in March 2025 its athletic programs would transition down to Division III for the start of the 2026-27 year. The move removes a regional rival for Bucknell.
SFU finished 10-8 overall and 5-3 in the NEC last year. Despite their syurpy conference record, Saint Francis missed the NEC Tournament. It was the sixth 10-win season in program history.
The Red Flash began their final season in Division I competition with a 4-0 romp over Bellarmine - a recent graduate to Division I action - and a 6-1 defeat to Miami (OH).
Saint Francis was picked to finish fourth in the ten-team NEC.
A balanced offense comes to Lewisburg with five different players scoring one goal.
Mackenzie Allessie enters her second season in remote and piney Loretto.

Series History with the Red Flash

Bucknell leads the all-time series, 9-0. The two Keystone State programs clashed every season from 2001-2008 and then met once in 2012. The Bison have outscored the Red Flash 52-10.

Scouting Temple

Temple went 12-8 overall and 5-2 in the Big East last season. Their campaign ended with a 1-0 heartbreaker against No. 10 UConn in the Big East Championship Game.
The Owls have flown to a fast 2-0 start with an explosive offense, tallying nine goals in two games. The fast-paced scoring has come with a defensive price, as seen in the 5-4 and 4-3 wins over Delaware and Central Michigan.
Temple was picked to finish fourth in the competitive Big East. Agustina Tucceri was named to the Preseason All-Big East Team.
Seven different Owls have nabbed goals in 2025, led by Mara Lenting and Lucia Magro's two tallies.
Goalkeeper Alex Lepore has faced 16 shots and made 11 saves.
Michelle Vittese enters her fifth season as Temple's head coach, boasting a 44-33 record.
Jarred Martin enters his eighth year as the Buckeyes head coach. Ohio State's 14 wins in 2023 were the most in 14 years.

Series History with the Owls

The Owls led the series 7-4 and have won the last two games - 5-2 (2022) and 2-1 (2023). Bucknell's last win was a 2-1 game in 2021.

Up Next

Bucknell heads to University Park on Sept. 12 to face Route 45 Rival Penn State.

Field Hockey Opens Home Slate Versus Saint Francis and Temple

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Kira Leclercq

Lily Neilson

Nicky Punt

Gianna Puorro

Alexandra Shizas

Field Hockey Opens Home Slate Versus Saint Francis and Temple

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Kira Leclercq

Lily Neilson

Nicky Punt

Gianna Puorro

Alexandra Shizas

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