On Friday, Sept. 20, Bucknell Field Hockey defeated the Boston University Terriers in a 2-1 double-overtime win at home. Lily Neilson ’25 scored both goals for the Orange and Blue, granting the Bison’s first win in ten years at home against the Terriers.
Effortlessly navigating through the Terrier defense, the senior scored in the first quarter, giving the Bison an early 1-0 lead.
In the second quarter, Boston made a comeback as they tied the game from a penalty stroke resulting from a penalty corner. The heat prompted many substitutions, consistently changing up the lineups.
Keeping scoring opportunities to a minimum, both defenses battled in the scoreless third and fourth quarters. With four minutes remaining, Boston received a yellow card, expelling a player from the game for five minutes. Yet, the Orange and Blue couldn’t capitalize on having an extra player on the field.
The penalty extended a minute into overtime but still gave little advantage for the Bison, as the Terriers gained possession. Despite each team taking two shots in the first overtime period, the score remained 1-1.
The second overtime period began with a pass play from Gianna Puorro ’26 to Isabella Pavlides ’25. Shortly after, Neilson carried the ball across the end line, ultimately earning a penalty corner. Pavlides inserted the ball to Nicky Punt ’26. Punt passed to Neilson, who sealed the Bison’s 2-1 pivotal conference victory with the game-winning shot.
On Sunday, September 22nd, the Bison fell short to the #20-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions in a 2-1 overtime loss at home, bringing their record to 3-5. A Neilson goal gave the Bison a 1-0 lead, however, Penn State two goals against the Orange and Blue.
In the first quarter, Neilson capitalized off a penalty corner inserted by Pavlides, which lit up the scoreboard for the Bison.
The Nittany Lions brought the intensity in the second quarter, but their effort was unsuccessful as Sarah Althouse ’27 recorded three straight saves for the Bison. Kira Leclercq’s ’26 shot off the penalty corner was blocked. Although there were quality corner attempts, neither team scored in the third quarter.
Four minutes into the fourth quarter, Penn State tied the game off a penalty corner. A few minutes later, it seemed that they scored the leading goal, but it was discarded by a foul, which sent the game into overtime.
Less than a minute and a half into overtime, the Nittany Lions successfully scored, defeating the Orange and Blue.
Next up, the Bison travel to Worcester for a Patriot League matchup against Holy Cross on Sept. 24 at 4 pm.
