A Milestone for Coach Cook
Head coach Kelly Cook, entering his 12th season, is chasing his 100th career win. With a career record of 99‑72‑33, Cook’s steady guidance has turned Bucknell into a consistent contender, and the upcoming fixtures provide a litmus test for the team’s progress.
The Bucknell Bison women's soccer team opens its 2026 home schedule this week with two crucial matches, beginning Thursday against Mount St. Mary's and concluding Sunday against La Salle at Emmitt Field in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. The games mark the first step in a season that promises to blend fresh talent with seasoned leadership.
Freshman midfielder Ingrid Murphy made an immediate impact, scoring the team's opening goal of the campaign after a precise assist from Gaby Parker. Her performance earned her Patriot League Rookie of the Week honors, signaling a promising start for the young squad.
Anchoring the back line is senior captain Julia Palitti, now in her third year as a defensive stalwart. Her experience helps the Bison maintain a disciplined shape as they look to build on a clean‑sheet tradition against Mount St. Mary's, a rivalry that includes a 5‑0 victory in 2016.
The opponents present a mixed picture. Mount St. Mary's, ranked 12th in the Metro preseason poll, dropped their first two games to UMBC and Towson, while La Salle, coached by Paul Royal in his 24th year, finished last season 7‑8‑3 and opened the 2025 Atlantic 10 slate with a 2‑1 win over American. Both teams will test the Bison’s resolve as they travel later to face Penn State and Saint Joseph’s.
Beyond the immediate matchups, the Bison’s schedule includes a road trip that will take them to familiar battlegrounds, but the early home games at Emmitt Field offer a chance to rally the campus crowd and establish momentum. With nine starters returning from last year’s squad, the team feels poised to translate preseason optimism into tangible results.