BOSTON – The Boston University women's soccer program is back at Nickerson Field for two games this week, starting with a non-conference tilt against Rhode Island on Thursday (Aug. 24). Opening kick is set for 4 p.m.
 
The game is the first of a BU Soccer doubleheader, as the men's soccer team opens its 2023 campaign against UAlbany at 7 p.m. Admission is free for both games, and free ice pops will be available to fans, while supplies last.
 
BU opens a stretch where seven of its next eight contests take place in the Greater Boston area, and six at home. Rhode Island, meanwhile, wraps up a short, two-game road swing.
 
TERRIER TIDBITS

• The Terriers sustained a 2-0 loss at UConn in the team's road opener on Sunday (Aug. 20).
• Junior goalkeeper Celia Braun made nine saves, one shy of her career-high.
• After appearing in a match for 90 minutes just twice in her career prior to 2023, Braun has already played two full matches this season.
• The Patriot League spotlighted Braun's second-half save against Vermont on the first Patriot League Top3 plays of the week in the 2023-24 academic year.
• Sophomore Mackenzie Stickelman was also featured in the Patriot League's Photo of the Week. The photo featured her walkout from the starting lineup in the season opener against the Catamounts.
• Sophomore Giulianna Gianino and freshman Samantha Aronson have combined for seven of BU's nine shots on target.
• As a Patriot League member, BU is 5-1-1 against A-10 opponents. Three of those wins have come against Rhode Island.
• Last season, the Terriers defeated UMass on the road, 1-0, in their only match vs. an A-10 foe.
• Since the start of the 2021 season, BU has lost consecutive games on two occasions, with a streak no longer than three games.

SCOUTING RHODE ISLAND

• URI is 0-2 on the season, suffering 1-0 setbacks to Bryant and Maine. BU will host Maine on Sept. 7.
• The Rams rattled off 18 shots against the Bulldogs, but just two vs. the Black Bears.
• Sam Hagerty leads the team with five shots this season.
• Three goalkeepers have seen time on the pitch for URI. Faith Hutchins made four saves in the entire 90 minutes vs. Maine.
• Rhode Island was projected to finish 13th in the A-10 Preseason Poll, following a 2022 slate where the Rams went 3-9-6.

SERIES HISTORY

• Thursday marks the 12th all-time meeting between BU and URI in a series that began in 1995.
• The Terriers sport a 9-2 edge in the rivalry, and are 4-2 in Boston against the Rams.
• BU has won six straight over Rhode Island. In the last five matchups, the Terriers have a 6-0 goals advantage.
• In the last contest between the two teams, BU came out on top, 1-0, on Sept. 5, 2021. Hugrún Helgadóttir notched her first-career goal off a corner kick in the 11th minute.

UP NEXT

• BU hosts UAlbany for Youth Day on Sunday (Aug. 27). Opening kick is scheduled for 6 p.m.