BOSTON – Closing out its fifth home match within the first six games of the year, the Boston University women's soccer program hosts local rival Harvard on Thursday (Sept. 5). Opening kick is set for 7 p.m.
 
Thursday's contest serves as the second half of a doubleheader with the BU men's soccer team, who plays Saint Mary's at 4 p.m. Both games will air on ESPN+ with Joe Braverman, BU men's soccer alumnus George Abunaw, and Caitlin Beal on the call. Live statistics are available through GoTerriers.com.
 
BU (0-3-2) plays its fifth of seven-straight New England-based opponents. Harvard (2-0-1) will close out its three-game road swing.

Thursday's games are dedicated to Morgan's Message, an organization that works to amplify stories, resources and expertise to strengthen student-athlete mental health, builds a community by and for athletes through peer-to-peer conversations and provides a platform for advocacy. For more information, visit morgansmessage.org.
 
TERRIER TIDBITS

• The Terriers are coming off a 2-0 setback to UConn last Sunday (Sept. 1).
• BU sported a 12-9 advantage in shots, but gave up goals in the 34th and 69th minutes.
• After being outshot 15-5 in its season lidlifter, BU has posted more shots than its opponents in four-straight games.
• In that span, the advantage favors the Terriers 57-33, an average of 14.3 shots per match for BU.
• The Terriers lead the Patriot League and rank 31st in Division I with 7.2 corner kicks per game.
• Junior Giulianna Gianino paces the conference and is 35th in the nation in shot accuracy at 66.7 percent.
• Following Thursday's game, seven of the Terriers' next nine tilts take place on the road.
• BU has alternated draws and losses in the first five matches this year.
• Senior goalkeeper Celia Braun is 26:14 away from logging 4,000 career minutes between the posts.

SCOUTING HARVARD

• The Crimson are 2-0-1 on the season, most recently defeating Northeastern 4-0 on Sept. 2.
• Josefine Hasbo leads the Crimson with three points on the year, and is one of five different goal scorers. Sarah Lloyd's two assists pace the team.
• Rhiannon Stewart has played every minute in goal, recording three shutouts with nine saves across all three matches.
• Harvard was projected to finish first in the Ivy League preseason poll.
• Last year, the Crimson captured the first-ever Ivy League Tournament in 2023, going 13-4-2 and reaching the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

SERIES HISTORY

• Thursday marks the 26th all-time meeting between BU and Harvard in a series that began in 1997.
• The Terriers boast a 10-9-6 advantage in the rivalry.
• At home, BU is 7-4-2, though the Terriers' last two wins in the matchup have been across the Mass. Pike.
• In the last meeting between the programs, BU was victorious over the 25th-ranked Crimson 1-0 on Oct. 4, 2022 in North Allston. The ranked win marked the Terriers' first since 2014.
• Braun posted a nine-save shutout against 27 Harvard shots, while Morgan Fagan assisted on Abigail McNulty's goal in the 16th minute.

LOOKING AHEAD

• BU returns to the road on Sunday (Sept. 8), visiting New Hampshire. Opening kick is scheduled for 2 p.m.