Albertus Magnus Edges Men’s Soccer, 2-1, in GNAC Debut

EAST BOSTON – Christian Restrepo's late goal put the Suffolk men's soccer team within one, but the Falcons of Albertus Magnus held off the Rams' comeback to hold onto a 2-1 GNAC win at James A. Sartori Stadium at East Boston Memorial Park.

THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 1, Albertus Magnus 2
RECORDS: Suffolk (2-2-0, 0-1-0 GNAC) | Albertus Magnus (2-1-0, 1-0-0 GNAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED
Nearing 30 minutes on the clock, Salah Oumorou saw the best opportunity through the first 15 minutes. The Falcons' freshman dribbled through Suffolk's defense in the box and had a one-on-one opportunity. All that stood between Oumorou and breaking opening the scoring was Kyle Van Cleef. Suffolk's keeper denied Albertus Magnus' leading scorer with a diving save to keep zeros on the scoreboard.

Suffolk had back-to-back corner opportunities, but could not convert either. After Alex Desaulnier was whistled for a yellow, Kaj Djonne fired a free kick right on target from the Falcons' own 40. Van Cleef's finger tips turned the ball off goal to hold the score at 0-0 with 22 minutes remaining in the first frame. 

After a header by Suffolk's James Fisher was blocked by the Falcons defense, Oumorou took the ball through the midfield and into Rams' territory. Once again Van Cleef was there to make the stop with the junior co-captain using a diving save to maintain it a level playing field with just under 15 minutes to play before half time.

The Rams saw another opportunity come off a head with 3:03 on the clock. Restrepo sent the rock into the pack in the front the net and after a scuffle, Jordan Casey used a high ball to send a header attempt towards the goal, but the junior's shot went just too high. Suffolk saw two more corner opportunities in the remaining in couple minutes including one in the final 20 seconds, but Albertus Magnus' backline anchored by goalkeeper Joe Russo held the Rams and the teams would head to the locker rooms even at 0-0. 

Not even a minute was removed from the second stanza before Suffolk's went on the attack. Restrepo brought the deep into the Falcons' zone and Tucker Mee received a feed right in front, but Russo turned the ball aside to set up the Rams' eighth corner of the afternoon. The blue-and-gold could not capitalize on the corner and it was right back to the drawing board.

Oumorou went on yet another breakaway, drawing Van Cleef to the left and struck the right goal post. Matt Cotto grabbed the rebound and Ram's defender Declan Mee was there to make the stop, but the freshman's clear remained in the box and rolled into the net to give the Falcons a 1-0 edge in the 50th minute. 

Suffolk looked to equalize the outing in the 69th minute as it was award a penalty kick. Restrepo's shot was locked up by Russo, however, and the Falcons remained in front, 1-0.

The Falcons added a marker at the 76th minute to put more distance between themselves and the Rams. Tyler Saad and Oumorou had a two-on-one with Van Cleef. Saad's shot was punched out by Suffolk's keeper, but Oumorou put the rebound away to stretch Albertus Magnus' advantage to two.

A minute later Restrepo once again had a great opportunity to trim the margin, but Russo's fingertip save kept the Rams off the scoreboard. 

Down the stretch Suffolk continued to put the pressure and climb back within the contest. The determination paid off for the blue-and-gold as Restrepo made a move at the 20-yard line and riffled one into the upper left corner right below the cross bar with just over five minutes on the clock to make it a 2-1 contest. 

The Rams had yet another chance to even the score and once again it fell upon Restrepo. The sophomore forward's free kick from 20 yards out drifted wide and Suffolk could not make up anymore ground from there.

KEEPING UP WITH THE KEEPERS

• Van Cleef registered five saves in the setback.
• Russo collected 14 saves in the win. 

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

• Suffolk held a commanding 31-13 advantage in shots, with a 15-7 edge on shots on target and a 16-3
• The Rams also held the edge in corners, 16-3. 

NOTEABLES

• Restrepo has recorded at least one point in each of Suffolk's four contests this season.
• For the third time, Suffolk opened its GNAC season versus Albertus Magnus. 

POST-GAME PIC

COMING UP
Suffolk takes a break from midweek action next week and sets its sights on the Saturday, Sept. 16 in Eastie versus Mount Ida. Game time at James A. Sartori Stadium is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.