Thursday, Oct. 24, Bison Field Hockey fell 7-2 to the 12th-ranked Syracuse Orange. Despite the loss, it was an exciting game for Bucknell Field Hockey history as Lily Neilson ’25 scored both goals, taking first place for career points at 124. Neilson passed Bison Hall of Fame member Karin Wegener ’85, who produced 122 career points.
Both defenses commanded the scoreless first quarter. However, in the second quarter, Syracuse’s shots made their way into the net, taking a 3-0 lead at halftime. Syracuse took a lead of 4-0 before Neilson scored her first goal. Syracuse would add another goal before Neilson scored her second goal. They scored twice more before the game concluded for a final score of 7-2.
The Bison obtained a penalty corner, and Neilson scored her first goal of the game just over 30 seconds into the final quarter. She scored in a trick play in which Kira Leclerq ’26 appeared to take a shot but instead passed to Neilson.
Later, with less than ten minutes remaining, Zoe Carlson-Pietraszek ’25 sent a pass into the circle. Neilson received the ball, navigated around defenders and scored her 16th goal of the season, taking sole possession of the first-place Bucknell milestone.
Neilson now holds eighth place in Patriot League history for career points and is tied for second in Patriot League history with 59 goals.
Neilson’s two goals also put her at the nation’s best for most consecutive games with two or more scores a game, increasing her streak to five, passing a Penn State player’s streak of four.
The Bison will finish the regular season at home on Nov. 2, competing against American with high stakes of the regular season title and hosting the Patriot League tournament on the line.
