Bucknell University Athletics
Photo by: Lauren Medeiros
Katie Connell Named to Preseason All-Patriot League Women’s Soccer Team
8/6/2026 11:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell junior Katie Connell was one of 13 players selected to the Preseason All-Patriot League Women's Soccer Team on Thursday. This is Connell's second straight preseason nod, and she was a Third team All-Patriot League honoree following the 2024 season.
Connell has recorded five goals in each of her first two collegiate seasons, and she begins the 2026 campaign 10 goals and five assists in her career. Last season, the West Vancouver, British Columbia native scored against Delaware, Saint Francis, Pittsburgh, Lehigh, and Colgate, and she ranked in a tie for 11th in the Patriot League in goals.
Connell, who is Bucknell's top returning scorer this fall, was also a College Sports Communicators Academic All-District selection a year ago.
After claiming consecutive Patriot League Tournament titles in 2020-23 and the 2024 PL regular-season title, the Bison fell to ninth in the table last season. Nine starters return in 2026, however, and Bucknell was picked T-7th in the Patriot League preseason poll.
Army (77 points) edged Boston University (76) by a single point atop the poll, followed by Colgate (62), Loyola (51), Holy Cross (43), Navy (41), Bucknell (35), Lafayette (35), American (16), and Lehigh (14).
The four preseason major awards went to players from four different teams. Army's Bella Conti was selected as the Preseason Forward of the Year; Lafayette's Nadia Zaffanella as the Preseason Midfielder of the Year' Boston University's Helene Tyburczy as the Preseason Defender of the Year; and Colgate's Ella Poppinga as the Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year.
Bucknell will host Manhattan in a scrimmage on Saturday at 3 p.m. at Emmitt Field at Holmes Stadium, and then the Bison make their official 2026 debut on Thursday, Aug. 13 at Montana at 7 p.m. (Eastern).
Connell has recorded five goals in each of her first two collegiate seasons, and she begins the 2026 campaign 10 goals and five assists in her career. Last season, the West Vancouver, British Columbia native scored against Delaware, Saint Francis, Pittsburgh, Lehigh, and Colgate, and she ranked in a tie for 11th in the Patriot League in goals.
Connell, who is Bucknell's top returning scorer this fall, was also a College Sports Communicators Academic All-District selection a year ago.
After claiming consecutive Patriot League Tournament titles in 2020-23 and the 2024 PL regular-season title, the Bison fell to ninth in the table last season. Nine starters return in 2026, however, and Bucknell was picked T-7th in the Patriot League preseason poll.
Army (77 points) edged Boston University (76) by a single point atop the poll, followed by Colgate (62), Loyola (51), Holy Cross (43), Navy (41), Bucknell (35), Lafayette (35), American (16), and Lehigh (14).
The four preseason major awards went to players from four different teams. Army's Bella Conti was selected as the Preseason Forward of the Year; Lafayette's Nadia Zaffanella as the Preseason Midfielder of the Year' Boston University's Helene Tyburczy as the Preseason Defender of the Year; and Colgate's Ella Poppinga as the Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year.
Bucknell will host Manhattan in a scrimmage on Saturday at 3 p.m. at Emmitt Field at Holmes Stadium, and then the Bison make their official 2026 debut on Thursday, Aug. 13 at Montana at 7 p.m. (Eastern).
2026 Patriot League Women's Soccer Preseason Poll
1. Army West Point, 77 (6 first-place votes)
2. Boston University, 76 (4 first-place votes)
3. Colgate, 62
4. Loyola Maryland, 51
5. Holy Cross, 43
6. Navy, 41
t-7. Bucknell, 35
t-7. Lafayette, 35
9. American, 16
10. Lehigh, 14
1. Army West Point, 77 (6 first-place votes)
2. Boston University, 76 (4 first-place votes)
3. Colgate, 62
4. Loyola Maryland, 51
5. Holy Cross, 43
6. Navy, 41
t-7. Bucknell, 35
t-7. Lafayette, 35
9. American, 16
10. Lehigh, 14
2026 Patriot League Preseason Women's Soccer Major Awards
Preseason Forward of the Year – Bella Conti, Army West Point, Jr. F
Preseason Midfielder of the Year – Nadia Zaffanella, Lafayette, Sr., M
Preseason Defender of the Year - Helene Tyburczy, Boston University, Gr., D
Goalkeeper of the Year – Ella Poppinga, Colgate, Sr., GK
Preseason Forward of the Year – Bella Conti, Army West Point, Jr. F
Preseason Midfielder of the Year – Nadia Zaffanella, Lafayette, Sr., M
Preseason Defender of the Year - Helene Tyburczy, Boston University, Gr., D
Goalkeeper of the Year – Ella Poppinga, Colgate, Sr., GK
2026 Preseason All-Patriot League Women's Soccer Team*
Bella Conti, Army West Point, Jr., F
Sophia Henry, Army West Point, So., F
Olivia Avellar, Boston University, Jr., F
Katie Connell, Bucknell, Jr., F
Josie Tunney, Colgate, Jr., F
Grace Pohlidal, Army West Point, Jr., M
Ciara Kennedy, Boston University, Sr., M
Nadia Zaffanella, Lafayette, Sr., M
Daisy West, Army West Point, Jr., D
Helene Tyburczy, Boston University, Gr., D
Karenna Beckstein, Holy Cross, Sr., D
Helen Bonner, Navy, So., D
Ella Poppinga, Colgate, Sr., GK
Bella Conti, Army West Point, Jr., F
Sophia Henry, Army West Point, So., F
Olivia Avellar, Boston University, Jr., F
Katie Connell, Bucknell, Jr., F
Josie Tunney, Colgate, Jr., F
Grace Pohlidal, Army West Point, Jr., M
Ciara Kennedy, Boston University, Sr., M
Nadia Zaffanella, Lafayette, Sr., M
Daisy West, Army West Point, Jr., D
Helene Tyburczy, Boston University, Gr., D
Karenna Beckstein, Holy Cross, Sr., D
Helen Bonner, Navy, So., D
Ella Poppinga, Colgate, Sr., GK
Note: Student-athletes are listed by positions; then alphabetically by institution
*Due to a tie in voting, there are 13 members on the Preseason All-Patriot League Women's Soccer Team
Players Mentioned
F
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