Field Hockey Welcomes Boston on Friday and Penn State for Monday Night Orange Out

Saturday, September 26

Lewisburg, Pa.

11 a.m.

Bucknell University

Boston University

Photo by: Steven Schoenfelder

Field Hockey Welcomes Boston on Friday and Penn State for Monday Night Orange Out

9/24/2026 9:48:00 AM | Field Hockey

Bucknell (4-3, 0-1 Patriot League) vs. Boston (3-5, 0-0 Patriot League)
When: Saturday, September 26 – 11 a.m.
Where: Graham Field at Holmes Stadium – Lewisburg, Pa.
Streaming: ESPN+
Live Stats: bucknellbison.com

Bucknell (4-3) vs. Penn State (3-4)
When: Monday, September 28 – 6 p.m.
Where: Graham Field at Holmes Stadium – Lewisburg, Pa.
Streaming: ESPN+
Live Stats: bucknellbison.com

About Bucknell

Bucknell's losing streak moved to three games after dropping two games last weekend. Conference play started with a tough outcome. Patriot League favorite American broke Bison hearts in a 1-0 game by scoring a goal with less than 40 seconds remaining. Bucknell went on the road for the first time in 2026 and fell 3-1 to Kent State.
The Orange & Blue have to rebound quickly as conference foe Boston arrives Saturday and Route 45 Rival Penn State travels for a rare Monday night showdown.
Monday's game against the Nittany Lions has been deemed Bucknell's annual Orange Out.
Both 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.
Seven different Bison have scored Bucknell's nine goals. Julia Corropolese and Bella Notaro are tied for the team lead with two.
Bucknell's offense has been nearly radio silence during the three losses, tallying one goal. Ryane Fisahn scored for the first time in 2026.

Scouting Boston

Boston sits 3-5 overall and has not yet begun conference action. The Terriers played one ranked team, losing 5-1 to #11 UMass.
This marks the first game for Boston outside of the New England geographical region.
Boston went 8-11 overall and 3-3 in league last year. The Terriers made a miracle run in head coach Sally Starr's final year, upsetting American and Lafayette to win the Patriot League Tournament. The season ended in the NCAA Tournament First Round with a 1-0 loss to Fairfield.
Lucy Johnson has scored a league-leading seven goals in eight games.
Boston's offense has been potent, tallying 27 goals in eight contests.
The Terriers have split minutes between two goalies.
Boston alumnae Sarah Shute returns home as head coach after spending six years helming MIT.

Series History with the Terriers

Bucknell trails the all-time series 6-14 but the Bison have won the last two games, including a resounding 4-0 victory in 2025 which broke a streak of 13 straight one-goal outcomes.

Scouting Penn State

The Nittany Lions are 3-4 overall and 0-1 in the Big Ten.
Penn State's record is deceiving. All four of PSU's losses were to ranked foes. They lost 2-1 to #4 Princeton, 4-3 to #5 Virginia, 4-1 #5 Maryland, and 2-1 to #19 Monmouth.
PSU has outscored foes 12-1 in its three wins over Delaware, Lock Haven, and Villanova.
Penn State went 7-10 overall and 2-6 in conference action last year. They did not qualify for the BIG 10 Tournament.
The BIG 10 no longer issues a preseason poll but the conference releases a Field Hockey Players to Watch List. Three Nittany Lions made it: Sienna Dunn, Ella Gaitan, and Lara Pyle.
Gaitan leads the team with five goals.
Goalkeeper Aby Deverka, playing every minute, owns a .739 save percentage.
Hannah Prince is in her first year as head coach after a spectacular reign at St. Joseph's.

Series History with the Nittany Lions