Bucknell University Athletics
Update from Head Field Hockey Coach Kelsey Kolojejchick -- October 2023
Hi Bison Family!
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Happy October! It is unbelievable to think we are halfway through our fall season. We are looking forward to seeing what the team is capable of to finish out this season stronger than they started. The team has made massive strides as a group. Record aside, this team is playing with the heart and effort we have been asking for, and now this is engraved into the team culture, which is extremely important. They have competed each game and fought for the full 60 minutes and longer on occasion.Â
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We have not had an easy schedule, having played four teams ranked in the top 20, and we were close to winning each game. I love that this team has been up for the challenge because playing stronger teams is the only way to get better as a group. They believe in themselves and can win and compete with teams like this. I am sure they are disappointed not coming away with some of these wins, but I’m very proud of their effort, and we know the few areas we need to improve upon to start changing these results. The winning results will follow the rest of this season if they stay positive and keep working in both games and practice.Â
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I do have some exciting news to share. Lily Neilson has been working hard since the spring semester, returning from Bucknell to Australia to try out for her country’s U21 Junior World Cup team. We, unfortunately, missed her during the preseason and our Boston weekend, but the team understood how important this opportunity is for her and the honor it is to represent your country at such a high level of international competition. Lily is in the final 23 squad, so we are keeping our fingers crossed for her as we wait eagerly over the next two weeks to find out if she will be officially selected to be a part of something incredible at the Junior World Cup in Santiago!
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Our contest on Sunday, Oct. 15, against Miami is our Breast Cancer Awareness game. We will be honoring Bucknell Hall of Famer Terrie Grieb and Bucknell Associate Dean of Admissions Chrissy Findlay, both breast cancer survivors and amazing women who have massive roles in our Bucknell community! We would love you to join us as we support these strong women and all those who have fought, or are continuing to fight, the battle against cancer. If you would like to donate to Play for the Cure, please use this link.
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We plan to have a “White Out" game for our big Patriot League battle against Lehigh on Friday, October 20, at 7 p.m.! We will give away free white long-sleeve Bucknell Field Hockey t-shirts while supplies last for Bucknell students. We would love all attendees to wear white and bring the noise to help cheer our team on to a big win!
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Thank you all for your continuous support. The team will need to feel that support finishing off the rest of this season! We are fighting to make the playoffs, and your attendance at our games, cheering us on from the stands at Graham Field, would mean the world to us.Â
Â
I’d be remiss not to mention how vital fundraising will be to our program this year. The everyday costs of providing the proper needs for this team have significantly increased, so we would appreciate any support you can provide to continue to supply the best possible experience for our student-athletes while wearing the Orange and Blue. We thank you for everything you have done for our team and continue to do for us!
Â
’ray Bucknell!
Â
Kelsey Kolojejchick
Head Field Hockey Coach
Bucknell University
kk053@bucknell.eduÂ
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Past Newsletters:
Bison Club support is the driving force behind Bucknell Athletics. Your donations directly impact the holistic development of student-athletes from 27 Division I varsity programs who are building a foundation at Bucknell to become leaders and difference-makers around the globe. Make your gift online, or call 570-577-1771 to support your favorite Bison team today.
Â
Happy October! It is unbelievable to think we are halfway through our fall season. We are looking forward to seeing what the team is capable of to finish out this season stronger than they started. The team has made massive strides as a group. Record aside, this team is playing with the heart and effort we have been asking for, and now this is engraved into the team culture, which is extremely important. They have competed each game and fought for the full 60 minutes and longer on occasion.Â
Â
We have not had an easy schedule, having played four teams ranked in the top 20, and we were close to winning each game. I love that this team has been up for the challenge because playing stronger teams is the only way to get better as a group. They believe in themselves and can win and compete with teams like this. I am sure they are disappointed not coming away with some of these wins, but I’m very proud of their effort, and we know the few areas we need to improve upon to start changing these results. The winning results will follow the rest of this season if they stay positive and keep working in both games and practice.Â
Â
I do have some exciting news to share. Lily Neilson has been working hard since the spring semester, returning from Bucknell to Australia to try out for her country’s U21 Junior World Cup team. We, unfortunately, missed her during the preseason and our Boston weekend, but the team understood how important this opportunity is for her and the honor it is to represent your country at such a high level of international competition. Lily is in the final 23 squad, so we are keeping our fingers crossed for her as we wait eagerly over the next two weeks to find out if she will be officially selected to be a part of something incredible at the Junior World Cup in Santiago!
Â
Our contest on Sunday, Oct. 15, against Miami is our Breast Cancer Awareness game. We will be honoring Bucknell Hall of Famer Terrie Grieb and Bucknell Associate Dean of Admissions Chrissy Findlay, both breast cancer survivors and amazing women who have massive roles in our Bucknell community! We would love you to join us as we support these strong women and all those who have fought, or are continuing to fight, the battle against cancer. If you would like to donate to Play for the Cure, please use this link.
Â
We plan to have a “White Out" game for our big Patriot League battle against Lehigh on Friday, October 20, at 7 p.m.! We will give away free white long-sleeve Bucknell Field Hockey t-shirts while supplies last for Bucknell students. We would love all attendees to wear white and bring the noise to help cheer our team on to a big win!
Â
Thank you all for your continuous support. The team will need to feel that support finishing off the rest of this season! We are fighting to make the playoffs, and your attendance at our games, cheering us on from the stands at Graham Field, would mean the world to us.Â
Â
I’d be remiss not to mention how vital fundraising will be to our program this year. The everyday costs of providing the proper needs for this team have significantly increased, so we would appreciate any support you can provide to continue to supply the best possible experience for our student-athletes while wearing the Orange and Blue. We thank you for everything you have done for our team and continue to do for us!
Â
’ray Bucknell!
Â
Kelsey Kolojejchick
Head Field Hockey Coach
Bucknell University
kk053@bucknell.eduÂ
Â
Past Newsletters:
Bison Club support is the driving force behind Bucknell Athletics. Your donations directly impact the holistic development of student-athletes from 27 Division I varsity programs who are building a foundation at Bucknell to become leaders and difference-makers around the globe. Make your gift online, or call 570-577-1771 to support your favorite Bison team today.