Field Hockey Concludes Season Tuesday Versus Lock Haven

Bucknell (7-7) vs. Lock Haven (5-10)
When: Tuesday, Oct. 27 – 6 p.m.
Where: Graham Field at Holmes Stadium – Lewisburg, Pa.
Streaming: ESPN+
Live Stats: bucknellbison.com

About Bucknell

The Bison ran its winning streak to three games with a 2-1 victory over Keystone Clash rival Lehigh last Friday night.
Bucknell built a 2-0 lead on goals by Ryane Fisahn and Elodie Nevitt. Lehigh scored a late goal but the Bison prevented any late minute heartbreak by controlling possession.
The victory, while exciting, did not prevent Bucknell's elimination from the Patriot League Tournament. Holy Cross upset American on Sunday to clinch the final spot and shatter the Bison's faint hopes.
The Orange & Blue have plenty to play for on Tuesday night when the team faces rival Lock Haven in the Susquehanna Showdown. A win gives Bucknell an 8-7 record and the first back-to-back winning seasons 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 are 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 38 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.
The pollsters were not correct in their prediction, as Holy Cross substituted for Bucknell in the final four. Seeding remains to be determined.
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 first in wins (32) all-time at Bucknell. She established sole possession of the record with Friday's night win over Lehigh.
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 17 goals. Julia Corropolese and Bella Notaro are tied for first in goals (4).
Corropolese is second in the circuit in defensive saves (5). She slots fifth nationally in the category.

Scouting Lock Haven

Lock Haven sits 5-10 overall and 0-5 in A-10 play. The Bald Eagles recently shattered a four-game losing streak where they were outscored 34-2 with a 3-2 win over Merrimack.
The Haven is 0-4 on the road but 5-6 in its nest.
LHU finished 2-16 overall and 1-5 in A-10 competition last year. The team finished on a two-game winning streak by defeating St. Louis and Mercyhurst.
The Bald Eagles have scored 31 goals in 15 games and boast a pair of double-digit scorers. Melanie Beall has found the cage 11 times. Maddie Friend leads the team in points (29) on ten goals and nine assists.
Quinty van Luijk has played most of the minutes in goal, collecting 122 saves.
Valerie Clarke is in her first year as Lock Haven's head coach. She arrives in the Haven after building Converse University into a conference colossus.

Series History with the Bald Eagles

Bucknell trails the all-time series 14-27-2 but has won the last eight meetings. The Susquehanna Showdown has been contested every year since 2004 except for the COVID-19 season of 2020-21 and 2023 when Lock Haven's field was under repair.

Up Next

Bucknell will prepare and train for the 2027 season.

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Players Mentioned

Sarah Althouse

Julia Corropolese

Reese Czajkowski

Ryane Fisahn

Sally Hunter

Kira Leclercq

Katie Lintz

Elodie Nevitt

Bella Notaro

Nicky Punt

Gianna Puorro

Bucknell University Athletics