BU Women’s Soccer Looking to Repeat as Patriot League Champions

BU Women's Soccer Looking to Repeat as Patriot League Champions

Asked what is the biggest strength of the Boston University women's soccer team this season, cocaptain Mackenzie Stickelman (COM'26) says it has everything to do with how quickly the 29-person squad acclimated.

"Like butter," she says. "Literally, it was so smooth."

That doesn't mean they go easy on one another in practice, though. These Terriers are fierce competitors. That's why after winning the Patriot League title last season (beating Bucknell 1-0 in overtime), the team has been picked to win the title again this year.

"They know that they're just making each other better, and that's the main focus every single day," says the team's new head coach, Megan Burke.

The Terriers have also swept the Patriot League major preseason awards. Margy Porta (Questrom'26) was selected preseason Offensive Player of the Year, Giulianna Gianino (Sargent'26) preseason Midfielder of the Year, Helene Tyburczy (ENG'26) preseason Defensive Player of the Year, and Bridget Carr (CAS'28) preseason Goalkeeper of the Year.

Burke, who arrived at BU in 2022 as an assistant coach, was named head coach in January. She acknowledges that this season is a difficult balance for BU: both players and coaches are aware of the respect they've earned from outsiders, but they also know that the work on the pitch to prove everyone right still needs to be done.

Giulianna Gianino (Sargent'26) during the August 21 home game against Fairfield University, a 1-0 loss.

It starts with the captains, Gianino, Stickelman, Porta, and Natalie Godoy (COM'26). Gianino is someone "you always want to talk to and just have her presence near you," Stickelman says.

And from Burke: Gianino "has such a great balance of really pushing everyone to their limits, but in the same breath, she also could be that shoulder when someone needs to just air it out and have a chat with her."

What Stickelman provides to teammates is similar, according to her coach: "She's so positive, she's encouraging, but she's someone that knows when to keep the team in check as well."

In her first full season as head coach, Burke has already earned the trust and belief of her players.

"She's a light every single day and someone that we really respect and trust. That goes a long way," Stickelman says. "She instills a lot of confidence in you," Gianino adds, "and it feels good."

Six games into the 2025 campaign, BU is 3-2-1, with wins over New Hampshire, Maine, and San Francisco, losses to Fairfield and Saint Mary's, and a draw with UMass Lowell. The Terriers play at Harvard on Thursday, September 11, at 7 pm, then host Bryant on Sunday, September 14, at 1 pm on Nickerson Field.

Burke says she's pleased with the team's season start. "We've obviously been tested in a couple of different ways. We've had some great wins, executed well, and then also learned a ton of lessons," she notes. "That's the beauty of it. That's the point of nonconference play. It's just going to help us prepare more for Patriot League play."

Outside of connectivity on the pitch, BU is a threat to score from anywhere, the coach says. "We can move the ball really well. It helps us advance up the field in a variety of different ways and also then creates scoring opportunities for us as well. We're a threat out wide, we're a threat central. We could score in the air, and we could score on the ground. It just gives us different options in the attack and makes it really hard for an opposing team to scout us."

The team's eight goals this season have come from six different players. And Gianino notes that the Terriers' back line is also a "force to be reckoned with."

Megan Burke, new head coach of women's soccer, at the Terriers win over New Hampshire August 17.

Despite the positive start across the board, Burke is aware that the team is still a work in progress, and it's about "fine-tuning those little details. Like every team across the country right now, we're still trying to find rhythm," she says.

All this work and preparation is aimed at one thing-returning to the national stage. After claiming the league title last season, the Terriers were defeated by Texas, 4-1, in the NCAA Tournament. And despite the loss, it was a great experience for the players, Burke says, noting that her Terriers left Austin knowing that they can compete at the highest level.

The expectations are clear, the blueprint is laid out, and there is no lack of confidence in the team. Stickelman says she and her teammates are eager to return to the national stage, citing the excitement that last year's campaign instilled in them.

"We want to do it again," Gianino says. "BU's only ever gotten to the second round. We're trying to get there and get past it."

The BU women's soccer Terriers host Bryant on Sunday, September 14, at 1 pm, on Nickerson Field. All soccer games can be streamed live on ESPN+. Admission is free for all home games.

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