The women’s soccer Terriers got off to a rocky start this season: at the end of eight games they had a middling 4-3-1 record. But that changed after a 1-0 win against Navy on September 20. The team won every game but one for the rest of the regular season and finished 12-4-3. That strong finish propelled them to second seed in the Patriot League, just behind Colgate University. And tonight, the team takes on Navy in the semifinal round of the Patriot League tournament at Colgate at 8 p.m. As the Patriot League 2013 season winner, BU is the defending champion.

“We’ve had bumps in the road this year, but that’s going to happen to all teams,” says women’s soccer head coach Nancy Feldman. “This team has proven that they’re not only resilient, but they seem to be learning from tough situations. I think we’ve grown a lot. It’s been fun and satisfying.”

The Terriers’ second overall seed earned them a bye in the tournament’s quarterfinals. A win tonight would advance them to the Patriot League championship game on Sunday, where they would face either Colgate or Bucknell.

The Terriers defeated Colgate 2-0 in their lone match this season at Nickerson Field on October 22.

“Playing Colgate on the road will be more of a challenge than playing them on our home turf,” says forward Jenna Fisher (SAR’16). “That said, I think we have established ourselves as a strong away team this year and have modified our game based on different conditions.”

Women’s soccer head coach Nancy Feldman says that her team has great camaraderie. “They love the game. They have a passion for it.”

Among the conditions the Terriers are expected to face this weekend: tough competition on the pitch, rain, and cold weather. The forecast calls for temperatures in the 30s, but players say they’re unfazed.

“Although cold weather and rain isn’t ideal,” forward Erica Kosienski (SAR’17) says, “I’m confident the team can eliminate the weather as a factor, like we did before, and play our game.”

“As long as there isn’t a lot of wind, the cold shouldn’t affect us too much,” Fisher says.

Kosienski, the team’s top scorer last year, will be forced to sit out this weekend’s tournament after tearing her anterior cruciate ligament during a game against Dartmouth last month. The Terriers will be relying on Fisher, the team’s top scorer this season with seven goals, to help lead the team this weekend.

“Jenna is a tenacious competitor who has a will to win,” Feldman says. “That’s what she brought when she came here. But then she added confidence and thoughtfulness to her play.”

The Terriers will also be looking to Jamie Turchi (SAR’15), Taylor Krebs (CAS’15), Ana Cuffia (SHA’15), Christina Wakefield (CGS’16), and Alyssa Parisi (COM’15), who has provided stellar goaltending this season. More than any individual player, Feldman says, the team’s real strength going into the tournament is the members’ talent for getting along with one another.

Erica Kosienski (SAR’17) scored two goals in the Lafayette game, but won’t be able to play in this weekend’s Patriot League tournament because of an injury.

“There’s a great camaraderie on the team,” the coach says. “I think they really enjoy their teammates and enjoy practicing and the team environment. They love the game. They have a passion for it.”

Despite their success on the field this season, the players say they aren’t taking anything for granted as they head into this weekend’s tournament.

“We are very determined to win the Patriot League again this year,” says Fisher. “Since it’s only our second season in the conference, winning again would really establish the start of a new legacy for Terrier soccer.”

The Boston University women’s soccer team will play Navy in the Patriot League semifinals tonight, Friday, November 7, at 8 p.m. at Beyer-Small ’76 Field at Colgate University. If the Terriers win, they will compete in the Patriot League championship game on Sunday, November 9, at 1 p.m. That game will also be held at Colgate.