Sept. 24, 2007

LEWISBURG, Pa. - Senior Kelly Hoffman (Boyertown, Pa./Oley Valley), junior Amanda Faust (Kingston, Pa./Wyoming Valley West), and sophomore Jessie Atieh (North Caldwell, N.J./West Essex), of the Bucknell field hockey team, notched Patriot League honors for Offensive Player of the Week, Defensive Player of the Week, and Goalkeeper of the Week, respectively, on Monday.

Hoffman tallied five points with two goals and one assist in a two-game week that featured a 4-0 shutout over Saint Francis (Pa.) last Tuesday, and a 3-2 win in overtime versus Georgetown this past Saturday. Against the Hoyas, Hoffman had an assist to junior Trina Boyer (Macungie, Pa./Upper Perkiomen) at the 45:52 mark, to tie the score at 1-1. After 70 minutes of play, the Bison and Hoyas were tied 2-2, forcing overtime. Off an assist from senior Chyncia Smith (Flemington, N.J./Hunterdon Central), Hoffman notched her sixth goal of the season 11:07 into the extra period to give the Bison the 3-2 win.

Against the Red Flash, Hoffman recorded her fifth goal of the season at 32:39 into play. She scored off a rebound after freshman Kelly Bruvik's (Skillman, N.J./Stuart Country Day) initial shot on goal was saved. In the two games last week, Hoffman took nine shots with five on goal. On the season, Hoffman has tallied 14 points (6g, 2a) and holds a shot percentage of .462. She has notched two game-winning goals for the Bison this year.

Junior Amanda Faust

Faust was instrumental in the Bison going 2-0 on the week, helping Bucknell to its second shutout of the year against Saint Francis (Pa.), and she contributed one assist in each game. Against the Red Flash, she fed the ball to Boyer off a penalty corner for Bucknell's third tally of the game. Against Georgetown, Faust had an assist to junior Emily Hutchison (Leola, Pa./ Conestoga Valley) at the 53:34 mark, to bring the score to 2-1. Also against the Hoyas, Faust recorded her first defensive save of the year.

On the season, Faust leads the Bison in interceptions and positive tackles. Her improved defense has been instrumental in helping the Bison secure two shutouts in the past three games, in addition to reducing the goals-against average for the Bison considerably, from 3.80 to 2.66. Faust has tallied 10 points this season with two goals and six assists.

Sophomore Jessie Atieh

Atieh played one game last week, helping the Bison to a 3-2 win in overtime over Georgetown. She made five saves on the Hoyas' eight shots on goal. On the year, Atieh has played seven games and a total of 504:56. She has recorded 38 saves for the Bison and holds a save percentage of .603.

Following two consecutive games at home, the Bucknell field hockey team is set to travel to Bethlehem, Pa., this weekend for its first Patriot League match-up of the year. The game against Lehigh is set to begin at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 29.