BOSTON – Seeking its first Patriot League championship since 2018, the Boston University women's soccer program opens the 2023 Patriot League Tournament as the No. 4 seed, hosting No. 5 Lehigh in the quarterfinals at Nickerson Field on Sunday (Oct. 29). Opening kick is set for 1 p.m.
 
BU (7-6-5, 4-3-2 PL) is in its 10th Patriot League Tournament in 11 seasons as a league member. The Terriers are 11-4-2 all-time in the championships, winning the title in 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2018.
 
Lehigh (7-5-4, 4-4-1 PL) has advanced to the Patriot League Tournament for three consecutive seasons, and searches for its first championship since 2010.
 
Admission is free for fans attending Sunday's game. Free pizza will also be available, while supplies last.
 
TERRIER TIDBITS

• This is the first year BU is the No. 4 seed in the Patriot League Tournament.
• The Terriers are 7-2 when hosting a Patriot League Tournament match at Nickerson Field.
• At home in 2023, BU went 6-3-2.
• The Terriers have won their only two quarterfinal contests, including a 3-0 triumph over Loyola Maryland in 2022.
• That year, BU advanced to the semifinal round before falling to eventual champion Bucknell in penalty kicks.
• BU's four conference wins came against Colgate, Lafayette, Navy, and American. Two draws occurred against Lehigh and Bucknell.
• Six Terriers garnered All-Patriot League honors on Friday (Oct. 27). Senior Abigail McNulty and sophomore Giulianna Gianino were selected to the First Team, sophomore Natalie Godoy made the Second Team, and juniors Celia Braun and Morgan Fagan, plus sophomore Mackenzie Stickelman, picked up spots on the Third Team.
• Gianino and Godoy paced BU with six goals and 15 points. Senior Lily Matthews had a team-high four assists.
• Braun is tied for 13th in the country with 1,620 minutes played between the posts. She ranks fifth all-time in program history with 143 career saves.

SCOUTING LEHIGH

• Lehigh placed fifth the Patriot League after a 4-4-1 regular season conference record.
• The Mountain Hawks reached the Patriot League semifinals last season as the fourth seed before falling to Army West Point.
• Lehigh is 3-4-2 on the road in 2023.
• Graduate student Ryelle Shuey leads the Mountain Hawks with five goals this season, and was named the Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year.
• Shuey was a First Team All-Patriot League pick, while Corinne Lyght and Faith Dobosiewicz earned Second Team recognition. 

SERIES HISTORY

• BU is 7-1-3 all-time against Lehigh, dating back to 2013.
• The two sides drew in their meeting earlier this season in Bethlehem, Pa., 2-2 on Sept. 24. The Mountain Hawks scored the first two goals before Godoy and Gianino scored just 1:21 apart in the final 10 minutes.
• BU last saw Lehigh in the Patriot League tournament in the 2018 championship game, with the Terriers taking the contest, 1-0, on Anna Heilferty's goal.
• The Terriers are 5-0 all-time against Lehigh at home, outscoring the Mountain Hawks 9-0. 

UP NEXT

• The winner will advance to the Patriot League semifinal round, which will take place at either No. 1 Army West Point or No. 2 Bucknell, pending the outcome of the other quarterfinal matchup between No. 3 Loyola Maryland and No. 6 Colgate.