BOSTON – The Boston University women's soccer program continued its annual tradition of celebrating the previous season with its award reception on Sunday (April 14) at "The Castle" in the Dahod Family Alumni Center.
 
The team recognized a 2023 campaign where the Terriers recorded a 7-7-6 record under second-year Head Coach Case Brown (COM'10). BU went 4-3-2 in Patriot League play, generating 14 points to earn the fourth seed in the Patriot League Tournament and reach the semifinal round for the 10th time in 11 seasons as a league member.
 
Six Terriers garnered All-Patriot League accolades; Abigail McNulty and Giulianna Gianino were First Team recipients, Natalie Godoy made the Second Team, and Celia Braun, Morgan Fagan, and Mackenzie Stickelman were chosen for the Third Team. In addition, Gianino and McNulty earned spots on the NEWISA All-New England Second and Third Team, respectively.
 
BU also excelled in the classroom, as 26 Terriers garnered Patriot League Fall Academic Honor Roll recognition, tied for the most throughout the conference. Fagan and Gianino were also selected to the Academic All-Patriot League Team, while Erin Sullenberger, Susan Shobeiri, and Morgan Weaver earned 4.0 grade-point averages in the fall semester. Overall, the Terriers sported a 3.61 fall semester GPA.
 
After the awards reception, the BUWOSOC family expanded with the additions of Brigid and Rori Barden in partnership through Team IMPACT on April 17.
 
AWARDS
 
The awards presentation started with the Jean Kelleher Award, the mother of Shauna Kelleher '11, in honor of Jean's contribution to and lasting influence on the program. Brown presented the honor to Kristie Bowers, the Associate Vice President & Director of Athletics at RPI. Bowers was a Senior Associate Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator from 2019-23 at BU, serving as the administrator for the program.
 
Brown also presented the Erica Lee '07 Award, given to a deserving alumna who has distinguished herself professionally or through civic engagement to make a positive impact, and who has contributed to improving the lives of others in tangible ways. Brown presented the award to Melissa Fu '96, who was a member of the first varsity team in 1995.
 
Assistant Coach Rachel Bloznalis presented the Most Improved Award, where Hugrún Helgadóttir and Mackenzie Stickelman shared the recognition. Helgadóttir set career-bests in 2023 with 14 appearances and two assists. After totaling 104 minutes as a freshman, Stickelman registered three goals and one assist in 20 starts to capture a Third Team All-Patriot League accolade.
 
Assistant Coach Megan Burke presented the next two awards, with the Rookie of the Year being first. Kaiya Stewart garnered the honor after playing in 19 games as a rookie. Her first collegiate point came on the game-opening goal against UNH on Sept. 10, then picked up another helper on Oct. 21 vs. American.
 
Burke then awarded Most Valuable Offensive Player to Natalie Godoy. The sophomore ranked second on the team with career-highs of six goals, three assists, and 15 points. She tied for seventh in the Patriot League with .83 points per game, leading to a spot on the Second Team All-Patriot League.
 
Brown returned to present the Most Valuable Defensive Player to captain Grace Ferrara. A staple on the back line, Ferrara set a personal-best with 20 starts and 1,647 minutes, playing the entire match 11 times in 2023. She helped the Terriers record four shutouts and nine games allowing one goal or less.
 
The Terrier Award, given to a student-athlete that embodies an unselfish, team-first mentality, went to Talia Agrillo. Agrillo made her collegiate debut in the season opener against Vermont on Aug. 17, but sustained a season-ending injury, pivoting to a support role on the bench and in the locker room.