Field Hockey Faces American on Friday; Travels to Kent State on Sunday

Friday, September 18

Lewisburg, Pa.

5 p.m.

Bucknell University

American

Photo by: Steven Schoenfelder

Field Hockey Faces American on Friday; Travels to Kent State on Sunday

9/16/2026 4:12:00 PM | Field Hockey

Bucknell (4-1) vs. American (3-3)
When: Friday, September 18 – 5 p.m.
Where: Graham Field at Holmes Stadium – Lewisburg, Pa.
Streaming: ESPN+
Live Stats: bucknellbison.com

Bucknell (4-1) at Kent State (0-6)
When: Sunday, September 20 – 1 p.m.
Where: Murphy-Mellis Field – Kent, Ohio
Streaming: Boxcast
Live Stats: kentstatesports.com

About Bucknell

Bucknell's best start since 1984 ended as it did that year with a loss to Syracuse. The ranked foe halted the Bison's winning streak with a resounding 10-0 defeat last Sunday. The Orange & Blue fell behind 1-0 and never caught to the ACC powerhouse.
The Bison look to rebound as Patriot League play begins on Friday when perennial conference contender American enters Lewisburg for an early season showdown. Bucknell then hits the road for the first time in 2026 with a trip to Kent State.
The games will be streamed on ESPN+. The links are 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 ranks third in wins (29) all-time at Bucknell.
Senior forward Ryane Fisahn and junior Sally Hunter joined Althouse on the All-Patriot League Preseason Team.
Althouse and Katie Lintz were named captains.
Six different Bison have scored Bucknell's eight goals. Julia Corropolese and Bella Notaro are tied for the team lead with two.

Scouting American

The Eagles started the season with three losses before embarking on the current three-game winning streak. American dropped games to Cal and Stanford to begin the year. They fell to Richmond before reeling off three wins against App State, William & Mary, and Towson.
American went 12-6 overall and 6-0 in the Patriot League last year. They won the regular season crown but were upset in the PL semifinals by eventual champion Boston.
Two Eagles, Olivia Morraye and Sophie Willemse, lead the squad with four goals.
Teagan Harmon owns a .607 save percentage.
Steven Jennings, the long time head coach of American, enters his 28th season and owns an impressive record of 328-179.

Series History with the Eagles

Bucknell is 9-33 all-time against American. The Eagles have won the last six matches, five of which have been decided by a single goal.

Scouting Kent State

The Golden Flashes are 0-6 on the season. They faced ranked Michigan and narrowly lost to Lafayette.
Kent State finished 4-11 overall and 3-6 in the MAC last year. They did not qualify for the conference tournament.
The Golden Flashes were picked to finish fifth out of ten teams in the preseason poll.
Eva Usoz has scored half of Kent State's four goals.
Michaela Skinner has played every minute in goal and has nabbed 32 saves.
Heather Hefner is in her third year as head coach and owns a 11-29 record.

Series History with the Golden Flashes

Bucknell is 2-4-1 all-time against Kent State. The Bison won the last game in 2023.

Up Next

Bucknell plays two more home games against reigning Patriot League champion Boston U. (Sept. 26) and Route 45 Rival Penn State (Sept. 28).