Bucknell University Athletics
Photo by: Will Micciche
McFarland Tabbed as Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Week
10/5/2026 2:02:00 PM | Women's Soccer
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell freshman Sarah McFarland notched her second Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Week citation of the season on Monday, after she posted two shutouts against conference foes last week. McFarland backstopped a stout Bison defense to clean sheets against Lafayette (1-0 away win) and Loyola (0-0 home draw) and helped keep the team in the top four in the table.
McFarland notched three saves against Lafayette, which was tied for first place entering that contest, and four against Loyola. She now has six shutouts on the season, which is the most ever for a Bucknell freshman goalkeeper. McFarland is tied for the league lead in shutouts and ranks third in goals-against average (1.08) and fourth in save percentage (.783).
The Bison defensive unit has solidified in the last month. Since conceding three first-half goals at Towson on Sept. 6, Bucknell has given up only one goal in its last five contests, and that was on a penalty kick. The 90-minute clean sheet against Loyola extended Bucknell's streak to 497:25 – more than eight hours of game action – without giving up a goal in the run of play. That five-game run includes a scoreless tie against No. 23 Villanova followed by the first four Patriot League matches.
Bucknell is now 5-5-3 overall and 2-0-2 in league play. Army sits atop the Patriot League table with a 4-0 record and 12 points. Lafayette and Navy are tied for second on nine points, followed by the Bison in fourth with eight.
Bucknell hits the road for its next two contests, starting Saturday afternoon at Boston University.
Bucknell 2026 Patriot League Players of the Week
Aug. 17 – Ingrid Murphy (Rookie)
Aug. 24 – Presley Sutter (Forward)
Sept. 14 – Clare Nemsick (Defender), Sarah McFarland (Goalkeeper & Rookie)
Sept. 21 – Louisa Thomsen (Midfielder)
Sept. 28 – Emma Gavin (Defender)
Oct. 5 – Sarah McFarland (Goalkeeper)
McFarland notched three saves against Lafayette, which was tied for first place entering that contest, and four against Loyola. She now has six shutouts on the season, which is the most ever for a Bucknell freshman goalkeeper. McFarland is tied for the league lead in shutouts and ranks third in goals-against average (1.08) and fourth in save percentage (.783).
The Bison defensive unit has solidified in the last month. Since conceding three first-half goals at Towson on Sept. 6, Bucknell has given up only one goal in its last five contests, and that was on a penalty kick. The 90-minute clean sheet against Loyola extended Bucknell's streak to 497:25 – more than eight hours of game action – without giving up a goal in the run of play. That five-game run includes a scoreless tie against No. 23 Villanova followed by the first four Patriot League matches.
Bucknell is now 5-5-3 overall and 2-0-2 in league play. Army sits atop the Patriot League table with a 4-0 record and 12 points. Lafayette and Navy are tied for second on nine points, followed by the Bison in fourth with eight.
Bucknell hits the road for its next two contests, starting Saturday afternoon at Boston University.
Bucknell 2026 Patriot League Players of the Week
Aug. 17 – Ingrid Murphy (Rookie)
Aug. 24 – Presley Sutter (Forward)
Sept. 14 – Clare Nemsick (Defender), Sarah McFarland (Goalkeeper & Rookie)
Sept. 21 – Louisa Thomsen (Midfielder)
Sept. 28 – Emma Gavin (Defender)
Oct. 5 – Sarah McFarland (Goalkeeper)
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