With the start of school comes the much anticipated return of Bison fall sports. While most sports are already underway, a few eagerly await their season openers this weekend.

The women’s and men’s cross country teams finished first and fifth, respectively, in the Patriot League last year. The women will look to add a fourth consecutive title to their accolades. Head coach Kevin Donner feels that with the team’s recent historic success, the Bison have put themselves in the crosshairs of every other team in the conference. The Orange and Blue will open their season on Aug. 31 in the Bison Open.

The men’s tennis team looks to be a contender in Patriot League play this year. They concluded last season with a 6-22 record, and also graduated four seniors this past spring. Meanwhile, on the women’s side, the team looks to continue their momentum coming off a 14-8 record last season. Both teams will compete from Sep. 7-9 in the Bucknell Invitational.

Coming off a 5-6 record (2-4 in the Patriot League), the football team is striving to make an impact when they open their season on Sep. 1 against William & Mary.

“The team has done an outstanding job through preseason,” head coach Joe Susan said. “The leadership of this group has worked to make sure that the younger players know what is expected of them and has helped them make the transition into life both on and off the field at Bucknell.”

The women’s field hockey team enters the season returning nine of 11 starters and 15 out of 17 rotational players. Last year, the Bison battled to the championship game, but endured a tough season-ending loss. The team plays home games on Aug. 31 against Cornell and Sept. 2 against Richmond.

The women’s volleyball team is already off to a great start. They finished 2-1 in the Bucknell Invitational held on Aug. 24 and 25, and Mimi Richards ’20 was named the first Bison Athlete of the Week for the 2018-2019 school year. Last season, the team totaled 11 wins which tied the record for most wins in team history. The women’s volleyball team will face teams on the road for their following nine appearances, with the next home game set for Sept. 21 against Navy.

Men’s soccer kicked their season off on Aug. 24 with a 2-0 victory over Mount St. Mary’s. After falling to Colgate in the quarterfinals of last year’s Patriot League Tournament, the team looks to build momentum this current season next on Sept. 2 at Saint Francis.

Finally, women’s soccer looks to defend their Patriot League title. Losing seven seniors, six of whom started, the team is striving to fill crucial holes among the field. The Bison will be back on Emmitt Field on Aug. 31 against Towson.

“We play with and talk a lot about displaying a championship culture, and we want this year to show nothing short of that,” captain Ali Russo ’20 said. “We want to win the title for a third year.”