The Bucknell Bison field hockey team cleaned up in the annual awards winning two major categories and placing five members on All-League teams. Lily Neilson won her third straight Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year honor (becoming the only Patriot League player in history to win the award three times) and Kira Leclercq fulfilled her preseason prediction by earning Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year.

Leclercq and Neilson slotted on the All-Patriot League First Team while Sarah Althouse, Nicky Punt, and Gianna Puorro clinched Second Team spots. It marked the first time since 2012 the Bison placed three members on the second team and the five All-League members are the most in Bucknell history since 2019.

“What fantastic news to see Kira and Lily earned Offensive and Defensive of the Year honors,” said coach Kelsey Kojojejchick. “It is beyond deserving for the two of them. They both had amazing seasons for their respective positions. Lily, leading the charge in the attacking front as our top goal scorer breaking so many records, was really fun to watch this year. She is a threat in the attacking circle and I just enjoy watching her speed combined with her crafty hand skills and slot selections. Kira, being such a strong force and presence on the defensive end, was huge. She has helped limit team opportunities in the circle, she is a great outletter and balances using her phenomenal aerial while also using her knowledge and ball speed to build the play up from the back.”

Neilson capped her final Patriot League campaign by leading the circuit in goals for the fourth straight season — a feat never equaled in Patriot League annals. Neilson’s 17 goals currently lead the loop by two and she ranks fifth nationally in goals per game (1.06).

Leclercq’s presence always looms large in the defensive backline and her nine defensive saves – the best mark nationally by two – testify to her existential stick

Althouse, a sophomore, has developed into one of the Patriot League’s finest goalkeepers.

Punt, a junior midfielder, set up the Bucknell attack with her nine assists ranking second in the Patriot League. All season, she centered the insertion passes from Hannah Guarente and Isabella Pavlides to provide excellent opportunities for Leclercq and Neilson.

Puorro, a junior midfielder, repeated her second-team All-League honor from the 2023 season. She contributed five points (two goals and one assists) but her greatest strength was her inexhaustible energy on the pitch.