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LEWISBURG -- Bucknell junior Katie Connell was one of 13 players selected to the Preseason All-Patriot League women's soccer team. This is Connell's second straight preseason nod, and she was a third-team All-Patriot League honoree following the 2024 season.
Connell has recorded five goals in each of her first two collegiate seasons, and she begins the 2026 campaign 10 goals and five assists in her career. Last season, the West Vancouver, British Columbia native scored against Delaware, Saint Francis, Pittsburgh, Lehigh and Colgate, and she ranked in a tie for 11th in the Patriot League in goals.
Connell, who is Bucknell's top returning scorer this fall, was also a College Sports Communicators Academic All-District selection a year ago.
After claiming consecutive Patriot League Tournament titles in 2020-23 and the 2024 PL regular-season title, the Bison fell to ninth in the table last season. Nine starters return in 2026, however, and Bucknell was picked T-7th in the Patriot League preseason poll.
Army (77 points) edged Boston University (76) by a single point atop the poll, followed by Colgate (62), Loyola (51), Holy Cross (43), Navy (41), Bucknell (35), Lafayette (35), American (16), and Lehigh (14).
The four preseason major awards went to players from four different teams. Army's Bella Conti was selected as the Preseason Forward of the Year; Lafayette's Nadia Zaffanella as the Preseason Midfielder of the Year' Boston University's Helene Tyburczy as the Preseason Defender of the Year; and Colgate's Ella Poppinga as the Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year.