Field Hockey Completes Patriot League Slate in Friday Showdown at Lehigh

Bucknell (6-7, 1-4 Patriot League) at Lehigh (1-13, 0-4 Patriot League)
When: Friday, Oct. 23 – 6 p.m.
Where: Ulrich Field – Bethlehem, Pa.
Streaming: ESPN+
Live Stats: lehighsports.com

About Bucknell

Bucknell shattered its seven-game losing streak and launched a winning streak by conquering two contests last weekend. The Bison edged rival Colgate in a 2-1 shootout on Friday night and blanked La Salle in 1-0 match on Senior Day.
The Orange & Blue grabbed the early 1-0 lead against Colgate when Bella Notaro scored off a penalty corner. The Raiders tied the game before regulation's conclusion on a fluke bounce. The Bison fought into a shootout where Sally Hunter scored the winning tally and goalkeeper Sarah Althouse drew an offensive foul for Bucknell's first conference win.
Bella Notaro found the cage against La Salle on Sunday for Bucknell's first open-field goal since Cornell (Sept. 6). The Bison defense held up against repeated assaults by the Explorers for the 1-0 Senior Day victory.
Bucknell celebrated five seniors on Sunday: Sarah Althouse, Julia Corropolese, Ryane Fisahn, Katie Lintz, and Lauren Sanford.
Under that senior class, Bucknell made three Patriot League Tournaments and won 32 games.
If Bucknell can win its final two games against Lehigh and Lock Haven, the Bison will finish with a winning record for the first back-to-back winning seasons in program history since 2008 & 2009.
The game will be streamed on ESPN+. The link is available in this preview and on the Bucknell field hockey schedule page. Live Stats will also be available on the Bucknell field hockey schedule page. Live updates will be posted on the Bucknell Field Hockey X page.
Bucknell finished 10-7 overall and 4-2 in Patriot League play during the 2025 season and clinched a spot in the Patriot League Tournament for the 18th consecutive season. The 10 wins marked the first time Bucknell hit double-digits since 2018. The Orange & Blue repeated as the third seed and faced second-seeded Lafayette in the Patriot League Semifinals. The Bison dueled the Leopards but for the second straight year dropped a 2-1 game to Lafayette.
Head coach Kelsey Usefara enters her fifth season in Lewisburg. Her 37 career wins are fourth-most in Bucknell history.
Graduation and transfers impacted the Bison roster. Bucknell lost two-time Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year, Kira Leclercq, and All-Patriot League midfielders Gianna Puorro and Nicky Punt to diploma-receiving. 2025's leading goal-scorer Reese Czajkowski transferred to Penn.
However, the team heavily restocked with nine freshmen. The newcomers have been a huge boost for the Bison, with most of them starting and playing significant minutes while displaying elite athleticism on the pitch. The future is bright in Lewisburg.
Bucknell was projected to finish fourth in the Patriot League preseason poll. American was picked to finish first followed by Lafayette, reigning champion Boston, and Bucknell as the four teams selected to make the tournament. Holy Cross, Lehigh, and Colgate rounded out the poll.
Goalkeeper Sarah Althouse was named the Patriot League Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year. The senior finished sixth nationally in save percentage (.781) in 2025.
Althouse ranks tied for first in wins (31) all-time at Bucknell. She has a chance to break the deadlock this Friday.
Senior forward Ryane Fisahn and junior Sally Hunter joined Althouse on the All-Patriot League Preseason Team.
Althouse and Katie Lintz were named captains.
Eight different Bison have scored Bucknell's 15 goals. Julia Corropolese and Bella Notaro are tied for first in goals (4).
Corropolese is second in the circuit in defensive saves (5). She tallied two more in the 1-0 shutout of La Salle. She slots fifth nationally in the category.
Althouse won her fifth Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Week award on Monday for her 19 saves and 2-0 record last weekend. She also won Bison of the Week for the second time in 2026.

Scouting Lehigh

Lehigh sits 1-13 overall and 0-4 in Patriot League competition and have been eliminated from postseason competition. The Mountain Hawks started the season with a 2-0 shutout of LIU but currently ride a 13-game losing streak.
The Brown & White have been outscored 68-9. #4 Iowa pelted them 9-0 and archrival #17 Lafayette buried the Mountain Hawks 11-0.
Lehigh has been outscored 26-1 in Patriot League competition.
The Mountain Hawks went 4-13 overall and 1-5 in conference play last year. They did not qualify for the Patriot League Tournament.
Kristina Johnson leads the team in goals (3).
Sarah Ryan paces the conference and ranks third nationally in defensive saves (6).
Kate Burgess has played all but 9:20 minutes in the cage. Constantly under siege, she has recorded an astronomical 152 saves.
Corey Mayer is in her first season as Lehigh's head coach after serving five seasons on the Main Line at Villanova.

Series History with the Mountain Hawks

Bucknell leads the all-time series, 27-24-1 and has won the last 12 out of 14 games in the Keystone Clash. The Bison have won the last three games by a combined score of 16-4.

Up Next

Bucknell concludes the 2026 regular season with the Susquehanna Showdown versus Lock Haven on Oct. 27.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Sarah Althouse

Julia Corropolese

Reese Czajkowski

Ryane Fisahn

Sally Hunter

Kira Leclercq

Katie Lintz

Bella Notaro

Nicky Punt

Gianna Puorro

Lauren Sanford

Bucknell University Athletics