Matthew Belluardo Men's Soccer | Hometown: Mahwah, N.J. | Major: Undergraduate Law | Minor: Philosphy

These past four years have shaped me in ways I never expected, on the field and far beyond it. And when I think about everything this journey has given me, there is one simple truth that comes to mind: I love this program. If I had to summarize my experience as a Suffolk Men’s Soccer player in four words, it would be just that. I love the players, the coaches, the athletic staff, and the Fort. For four years, I have been surrounded by a culture that is more than a program. It is my family. 

When I look back at my time at Suffolk, it is clear how much this program has shaped me, not just as a player, but as a man. When I first arrived, I was a young, eager freshman excited to move to a big city and start a new chapter. Everything felt new, the pace, the expectations, the environment, and I could not wait to prove myself and become part of something bigger. Over time, that eagerness turned into discipline, that nervous energy became confidence, and the responsibility of representing this program shaped me into someone far more mature than the kid who first walked onto campus. I learned how to handle pressure, how to lead, and how to show up every day even when things were not easy. This program did not just develop me as a player. It helped shape the person I am becoming as a man. This year, my senior year, was special in ways I never expected. I was honored to become the first player in program history to earn the Conference of New England Defensive Player of the Year (2025) and the first to achieve CNE Scholar-Athlete of the Year (2025), along with another All-CNE First-Team selection. Even though those are individual recognitions, they were only possible because of the 40 guys beside me every day, teammates who pushed me, believed in me, and helped me grow. Everything I achieved reflects the collective effort, culture, and support within this program. 

The achievement that means the most to me is being part of the first Conference of New England Championship in program history in 2024. This was the emotional center of my four years, the moment everything we had built finally became real. After years of progress, setbacks, and lessons, we finally broke through. Standing on that field that afternoon with the people I trained with, fought with, and grown up with, lifting that trophy watching my teammates celebrate was one of the purest feelings of joy I have ever experienced. That championship was more than a trophy. It was proof that our collective effort can create something unforgettable. It is the moment I will carry with me for the rest of my life. 

Reflecting on my four seasons at Suffolk, I think back to when I first arrived. Coming into Suffolk, Coach Maddock had extremely high expectations for this program, to shake up the Conference of New England hierarchy and push Suffolk to the top, becoming recognized as an elite program in the conference, in the region, and nationally as well. On my collegiate visit, sitting in his office, I will never forget the humble certainty he had when describing what this program would become. It made me eager to become part of this journey, to help build a legacy of success and a winning culture that would persist far beyond my four years at this university. 

In my first year (2022), Suffolk men's soccer reached the Conference of New England final for the first time, only to fall short, 2-1. This loss fueled the hunger of the returning players and showed us what we needed to improve to reach our goals. 

The following season, during the 2023 campaign, my sophomore year, the team reached new heights. We were regionally ranked throughout the season and nationally ranked several times for the first time in program history. We fell short in the Conference of New England Semifinals on penalty kicks. This was an extremely important learning moment for me as a Ram since I was personally responsible for the loss after missing my penalty kick. It was another important moment for us as a program. It became a turning point in my development, helping me refine my game and mentality into a more mature and composed style instead of the raw, sporadic one I came in with. 

The 2024 season is one for the memory books. After all our hard work, we finally achieved the crown of becoming the Conference of New England Champions. It was a moment I will never forget. To feel all the work, you have put in payoff is an incredible feeling, and what is even more amazing is seeing the guys around you achieve success as well. I knew all the hard work they had put in behind closed doors over the last couple of years. That is what I love most about this sport. It is not an individual effort, but a collective one. Seeing your closest friends achieve the success they worked so hard for, seeing their tears of joy, is an immeasurable feeling of happiness. This is what being a Ram means to me, not only achieving self-success, but being beyond grateful to watch your teammates do the same and more. 

Writing this as a four-year veteran of the program, 75 games later, I can say that success was achieved. However, there is far more to come. The 2025 season did not end in the fairytale way we wanted, since we lost on penalties in the Conference of New England final. However, this was an important moment for the younger guys in the program, because the lesson they learned from this loss will carry them far beyond the success I achieved. I may be able to say that during my time at Suffolk, we were the first to accomplish many things in program history, but the classes below me, and those to follow, are going to achieve far more than I was able to. These younger classes are not only some of the most talented the university has ever seen, but also the most driven. They are hungry. I genuinely believe this program, under the leadership of the rising seniors, Luke Blawn, Ricardo Feliciani, Lucca Giammattei, Nathan Harlow, Oliver Heth, Francisco Valck, and Zach Vlachos, they will continue where I left off in the conference finals, and they will walk away with the trophy. 

I want to thank the coaches of this program, Bill Maddock, Juan Gonzalez, Jose Meza, and Kyle Tremblay, for helping shape me into the man I am today. Under your leadership and guidance, you transform freshmen into seniors not only as players, but you also shape them from kids into adults. You hold us accountable for our actions on and off the field and teach us lessons that will aid us far beyond the field, into the professional world as well. For that, I owe you my sincerest gratitude. 

To my class, the Class of 2026, Ryan Chamberlain, Jeremy Cooke, Emiliano Esquer, Ford Lee, Diego Pierantozzi, Tommy Kurz, Matthew Moreno, and Carter Van Buskirk, it was a pleasure seeing you all grow, not only as players, but as men. You set the standard for Suffolk to achieve success, and I am incredibly grateful to have spent every day with you and learned from and with you. You are my family, some of my closest friends, and some of the greatest men I know. 

To Levi Roberts-Edwards, I want to thank you for everything, including dealing with all my twenty-plus ankle sprains and a torn labrum. You are a foundational part of this program, and Suffolk men's soccer is lucky to call you our athletic trainer. 

To the current Rams and future ones, I look forward to seeing all the success you achieve. I know this program is still on its upward trajectory. My final advice as captain is to enjoy every second of it, both the good and the bad, because those four years go by fast. 

I am proud to be your captain, I am proud to be your teammate, and I am proud to call this my family. 

Always remember Rams; our family versus their team. 

Matthew John Belluardo #26 

Proud son of John Belluardo and Sue Belluardo 

Proud brother of Michael Belluardo