LEXINGTON, Va. — Bucknell University ran its winning streak to five games with an 18-6 rout of Gannon University and a 10-5 defeat of McKendree University on the final day of the 2025 VMI Invitational hosted by the Virginia Military Institute. The Bison, which improve to 5-1 with the wins, never trailed in either contest.
In the first match, Gannon cut the lead to 5-3, but Bucknell ended the game on a 13-3 run. The Orange & Blue flew out to a 6-0 start against McKendree and coasted to the 10-5 win. Bucknell’s 5-1 record is the Bison’s best start since 2020 when the program began 6-0.
A total of 12 different Bison scored goals with Ava Bayne and Campbell Collins each leading the way with three tallies in the dispatching of Gannon.
Collins and Gwen Kallmeyer scored the first three goals before Gannon responded. Olivia Hopper completed the first-quarter scoring with a goal.
Malli Challa opened the second period with a goal. Gannon went on a 2-0 run for its closest margin. Bucknell replied with two goals from Kallmeyer and Izzy Lippolis for a 7-3 halftime lead.
Bucknell outscored Gannon 4-1 in the third quarter. Collins, Boati Motau, Amy Pischke and Bella Schraa each supplied one goal.
The Bison put the game to bed with a 7-2 fourth quarter. Bayne scored all her three of her goals, including two tallies in 30 seconds. Rhys Beutler added two goals. Sidney Finkler and Ashley Hopper each provided one score.
Six different Bison totaled a goal with Ashley Hopper’s three tallies providing the game-high as the Bison disposed of McKendree.
Bucknell jumped out to a 6-0 lead and led the rest of the way. Schraa, Kallmeyer, Motau and Lehua Bender scored the first four goals.
The game turned into the “Hopper Show” with twins Ashley and Olivia Hopper tallying Bucknell’s next four goals. Ashley scored all three of Bucknell’s second-quarter scores. McKendree scored twice to trail 7-2 at halftime.
Olivia Hopper’s goal opened the third quarter scoring. Kallmeyer added a tally while McKendree responded once.
Bender’s second goal closed the scoring for Bucknell giving the Bison a 10-3 lead in the final stanza. McKendree grabbed two more goals but the outcome was never in doubt.
Release courtesy Bucknell University Athletics Communications
