Bucknell Field Hockey, with a current record of 8-6 and 4-1 in conference play, held their winning streak with a 6-2 win over the Lehigh Mountain Hawks this past Saturday afternoon. This win also gave the Bison their 17th consecutive bid to the Patriot League Tournament. The Orange and Blue have scored a total of 19 points throughout their four-game winning streak.
Once again, Lily Neilson ’25 had a strong game, scoring two goals for the Bison for the fourth consecutive game. This moved her total goals scored tally to 57, putting her tied for fourth in goals scored in a season and tied for sixth all-time in single-season points for the Bison. She also sits second, by only two goals, in Bucknell Field Hockey history for career points scored.
Reese Czajkowski ’28 ramped up the competition by scoring the first two goals for the Bison, just within two minutes of each other. Only nine minutes into the game, Czajkowski scored off the rebound of a penalty corner. The second goal, which came shortly after, was also off a rebound from the pads of the Mountain Hawk goalie.
Just three minutes later, the Bison elected Neilson to attempt an offered penalty stroke. Neilson struck a choreographed shot into the left corner of the goal, just missed by the diving Mountain Hawk goalie. This goal was especially notable because it was Neilson’s first goal in four total penalty stroke attempts. This brought the score to 3-0.
The second quarter only brought more intensity from the Orange and Blue. Gianna Puorro ’26 made a successful assist to Katie Lintz ’27 who scored off a reverse chip shot inspired by Neilson.
The Bison faced a bit of a surprise in the first three minutes of the third quarter when the Mountain Hawks scored two quick goals suddenly making the score 4-2. Then, in the 42nd minute, Neilson came to the rescue when Sally Hunter ’28 sent an assist to the top of the circle where Neilson was readily waiting to score. Finally, with only five minutes left in the game, the Mountain Hawks pulled their goalie and received a penalty in the last 56 seconds of the game. It was then that Kira Leclercq ‘26 scored the final drag flick past the defenders and into the goal.
Make sure to catch the Orange and Blue’s next game against American University, Nov. 2 at 12 p.m. at Holmes Stadium.
