Preview: Terriers Head to Bucknell for Patriot League Matchup

Featured Image by Troy Bolduc

By Adrianna Uykan

Boston University Women’s Soccer (5-4-3, 2-1-1 PL) heads down to Lewisberg, Pennsylvania on Saturday to take on the Bucknell Bison (3-5-5, 1-0-3 PL) in a rematch of the 2024 Patriot League Final. 

Coming off of a close 3-2 win at Army West Point and a 5-0 blowout against Lafayette last week, the Terriers look to continue their hot streak against Bucknell. The Bison are trying to avoid a fourth tie in a row, after scoreless matches against Loyola Maryland and Lafayette, along with a 1-1 draw at Holy Cross.

Senior midfielder Giulianna Gianino, recently named Patriot League Midfielder of the Week for the second time this season, led BU in its two wins with a goal and two assists. Gianino started both matches and played all 90 minutes against Army. 

Senior midfielder Mackenzie Stickelman and sophomore defender Alli Powderly received honorable mentions in the league for the week, after Stickelman netted three goals and Powderly scored her first collegiate goal.

For the Bison, the young team is in the rebuilding stage — 12 players making their career starts this season. 

Freshman forward Gaby Parker has three goals and two assists this season, netting Bucknell’s only goal against Holy Cross. Defensively, sophomore goalkeeper Reese Dolan prepares to make her eleventh start in a row, holding an .837 save percentage and a 0.70 goals-against average.

This is the nineteenth game in the division rivalry against Bucknell, with BU slightly trailing the all-time series 6-8-4. Notably, the teams last met in the 2024 Patriot League championship match — the No. 2 ranked Terriers just edged out the league-leading Bison in a tense penalty shootout that ended 8-7. 

In the all-time series, Bucknell has taken heavy home-field advantage, posting a 5-1-4 record against BU at home. The Terriers will try to turn their luck at Emmitt Field in Lewisburg, looking for a vital conference win.

Kickoff for Saturday’s game is scheduled for 1 p.m., and the game will be available to stream on ESPN+.