Undefeated Field Hockey Welcomes No. 15 Syracuse for Sunday Showdown

Bucknell (4-0) vs. #15 Syracuse (3-1)
When: Sunday, September 12 – Noon
Where: Graham Field at Holmes Stadium – Lewisburg, Pa.
Streaming: ESPN+
Live Stats: bucknellbison.com

About Bucknell

Bucknell continued its historic start with two more victories over Quinnipiac and Cornell. The Orange & Blue edged Quinnipiac 2-1 and handled Cornell in a 3-1 victory. The Bison are 4-0 for the first time since 1984 where Bucknell started 5-0 before losing to, of all teams, Syracuse.
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 35 career wins are fourth-most in Bucknell history. Bucknell has made the Patriot League Tournament every year under her direction.
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.
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 has moved up the Bucknell career rankings, ranking third in wins (29) and sixth in winning percentage (.547).
Senior forward Ryane Fisahn and junior Sally Hunter joined Althouse on the All-Patriot League Preseason Team.
Althouse and Katie Lintz were named captains.
The Bison received a pair of weekly awards after their 2-0 weekend. Althouse notched her fourth Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Week and Bella Notaro won her first Patriot League Forward of the Week.
Julia Corropolese was named Bison of the Week for her defensive save against Quinnipiac.
Six different Bison have scored Bucknell's eight goals. Corropolese and Notaro are tied for the team lead with two.
Althouse is tied for first nationally in goalkeeper win-loss percentage (1.000).

Scouting Syracuse

The Orange are 3-1 on the season. They started the year with tough wins over Northeastern and Fairfield. At the ACC-Big 10 Challenge, they edged Ohio State before falling to No. 20 Rutgers in a shootout.
Syracuse began the year ninth in the NFHCA Poll but currently sits at #15 after two weekends.
The Orange went 13-7 overall and 3-5 in the brutally tough ACC in 2025. Syracuse made a run to the NCAA Quarterfinals before bowing out against Princeton.
Four players led the Orange with two goals.
Goalkeeper Jessie Eiselin owns a sparkling .810 save percentage.
Lynn Farquhar enters her fourth season as Syracuse's head coach.

Series History with the Orange

Bucknell is 1-12 all-time against Syracuse. The sole win came in 1987 via a 2-1 decision in overtime. The teams last met in 2024 at Bucknell. Syracuse won 7-2.

Up Next

Bucknell completes its six-game home stretch with league rival American on Sept. 18 before traveling to Kent State on Sept. 20.

Undefeated Field Hockey Welcomes No. 15 Syracuse for Sunday Showdown

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Players Mentioned

Sarah Althouse

Julia Corropolese

Reese Czajkowski

Ryane Fisahn

Sally Hunter

Kira Leclercq

Katie Lintz

Bella Notaro

Nicky Punt

Gianna Puorro

Bucknell University Athletics

Undefeated Field Hockey Welcomes No. 15 Syracuse for Sunday Showdown

Next Event

Related News

Players Mentioned

Sarah Althouse

Julia Corropolese

Reese Czajkowski

Ryane Fisahn

Sally Hunter

Kira Leclercq

Katie Lintz

Bella Notaro

Nicky Punt

Gianna Puorro

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