LEWISBURG, Pa. — Bucknell University improved to 7-1 on the season as the Bison defeated La Salle University, 15-9, and Siena College, 19-7, on the first day of the annual Bucknell Invitational at Kinney Natatorium. The Orange & Blue outscored La Salle and Siena and never trailed in either victory. Bucknell passed its 2024 win total of six with the pair of triumphs.
Facing La Salle, freshman Olivia Hopper continued her impressive debut season leading the team with six goals giving the rookie sensation 16 on the year.
Hopper made an immediate impact in the first quarter scoring the first three goals. Senior star Boati Motau tacked on two more, while La Salle only tallied twice. The Explorers tied the game at one-all before Hopper and Motau unleashed their blitz.
La Salle cut the lead to 5-4 before the Bison ended the second quarter on a 3-0 run. Hopper scored the sixth and seventh goals and fellow freshman Hayden Hedstrom posted the eighth tally.
Four different Bison each registered a cage-finder in the third quarter. Caitlin Stott started the process, followed by Hopper’s sixth goal. La Salle broke the streak with a goal but then Motau and Gwen Kallmeyer provided scores. La Salle ended the quarter with a mini 2-0 stretch.
The Explorers scored two more goals and suddenly were within 12-9. Bucknell did not allow a closer margin. Hagstrom and Stott both tallied a second goal and Izzy Lippolis ended the scoring at 15-9 depositing a strike with eight seconds remaining.
In the nightcap versus Siena, Olivia Hopper again repeated a six-goal performance this time all in the first half moving her season total to 22. Goalkeeper Tamara Torkos was a veritable fortress easily collecting double-digit saves and keeping the potent Saints offense under wraps.
Hopper opened the scoring with two straight goals. Siena tallied once and then Bucknell went on a 5-0 run thanks to contributions from Kallmeyer, Ashley Hopper, Sidney Finkler, Stott and Olivia Hopper. Siena closed the quarter with two goals.
Bucknell repeated its seven point performance in the second quarter. Olivia Hopper provided three of those goals. Sister Ashley added another one, as did Campbell Collins, Motau and Kallmeyer. Siena merely tabbed one goal.
The Bison’s offensive pace slowed down in the second half but the team still outscored Siena by a 5-3 count. Regan Coon scored her first goal of 2025 in the third quarter and Finkler and Motau either added a cage-finder. The Saints again only scored once.
Coon provided both Bison goals in the final frame. Siena scored twice but it mattered little as Coon’s last tally provided the 19-7 finale.
Release courtesy Bucknell University Athletics Communications
