On Thursday, August 27, the Bucknell Bison women's soccer team will travel to University Park, Pennsylvania, to meet No. 23 Penn State at Jeffrey Field, kicking off at 7:30 p.m.
The Bison arrive with a 3‑1 record and a 13‑goal outburst that has turned heads early in the season, a surge fueled by freshman forward Ingrid Murphy, who has already tallied three goals and an assist and earned Patriot League Rookie of the Week honors.
Between the lines, senior goalkeeper Sarah McFarland has been a wall, posting a 0.29 goals‑against average and a .917 save percentage that tops the Patriot League, giving Bucknell a solid foundation as they head into the Penn State showdown.
Rivalry and Outlook
Penn State will open its home schedule at Emmitt Field in Lewisburg on August 30, when it hosts Saint Joseph’s, a team that has started 2‑0‑1 with Sarah Fisher finding the net in each of its first three contests.
Bucknell’s next tests will come quickly, with a home match against Delaware on September 3 followed by a road trip to Towson on September 7, fixtures that could further shape their early conference standing.
Historically, the series favors Penn State, which leads 19‑0‑1 overall, with Bucknell’s last victory dating back to 2009, a backdrop that adds extra intrigue to the upcoming encounter.
The Bison are looking to translate their early offensive firepower into results against a disciplined Nittany Lions side, while fans can expect a competitive atmosphere as both programs aim to build momentum for the remainder of the season.