GNAC Opener Pits Men’s Soccer Against Albertus Magnus

BOSTON – Suffolk's quest for GNAC glory begins this afternoon as the Rams lift the lid on their GNAC schedule when they entertain Albertus Magnus. 

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LAST TIME OUT
Christian Restrepo recorded a second-half, natural hat trick to lead the Suffolk men's soccer team to a 5-2 victory over Emerson on Wednesday night at Rotch Field.  

MORE READING: Restrepo's Natural Hat Trick Sends Men's Soccer Past Emerson, 5-2

RAMS RUNDOWN
Suffolk improved to 2-1 on the year for the first time in five years thanks to its 5-2 win at Emerson Wednesday to prep for conference competition.

Christian Restrepo has been the main reason for Suffolk's success on the young season. The sophomore forward has nine points through three games with four markers and one handout. Classmate Felipe Ucros is second on the squad thanks to two goals, while fellow member of the Class of 2020, James Fisher boasts three points on one score and one assist.

Kyle Van Cleef has started all three outings for the blue-and-gold between the pipes. The junior netminder owns a 2.24 goals against average and a .750 save percentage. Jon Brodeur has also seen action in net for the Rams. The sophomore keeper has stopped all the shots (3) he has faced this season.

FALCONS FACTS
Albertus Magnus earned a 3-2 win over Nichols in its season opener before being shutout at Westfield State, 2-0, Thursday night to carry 1-1 record into Saturday's showdown.

Freshman Salah Oumorou is responsible for all three of the Falcons markers this season with the rookie putting away a hat trick in his collegiate debut versus the Bison. Justy Broderick and Matt Cotto round out the Albertus players with point as the senior and sophomore each dished out one assist apiece.

Joe Russo has maintained the goal for the Falcons in their two contests this year. The junior keeper owns a 2.00 goals against average and a .789 save percentage, giving up four goals on in two contests, while making 15 saves.

INSIDE THE SERIES

• Suffolk has taken the last two meetings over Albertus Magnus, but trails the all-time series with the Falcons, 8-14-1.
• 12 contests in the Suffolk, Albertus Magnus series have been decided by a shutout. The Rams own seven of those victories

EYES ON THE GAME

GNAC GATES

• Since 2002, Suffolk is 2-11-2 in GNAC openers.
• Last season, Suffolk earned its second ever GNAC opening win, a 1-0 victory over Albertus Magnus.
• Suffolk and Albertus Magnus will tangle for the third time in league debuts since 2002. In those meetings, Suffolk is 1-2-0.
• Overall, five of the Rams GNAC openers have been decided in shutout fashion with the blue-and-gold boasting a 2-3-0 ledger in such contests. 

HATS OFF
Christian Restrepo knocked in three goals against Emerson Sept. 6, becoming the first Ram to register a hat trick since Alberto Bittan did so against Regis Sept. 17, 2016. The three-goal performance is the first of the sophomore's career.

SUFFOLK FREE RADIO
For the second straight season, Suffolk Athletics and Suffolk Free Radio have teamed up to bring Ram Nation live play-by-play audio broadcast for multiple home and away events throughout the 2017-18 seasons.

The pregame show will launch 15 minutes prior to game time of all contests and fans can follow along here.

COMING UP
Suffolk takes weekday action off next week and will return to James A. Sartori Stadium next Saturday, Sept. 16 when the Rams entertain Mount Ida at 1 p.m.