Men’s Soccer Treks to Norwich to Close GNAC Campaign

BOSTON – The men's soccer team took a break from midweek action to prepare for its final GNAC contest on the 2018 calendar, which sends the Rams to Norwich Saturday, Oct. 20 for a 1 p.m. showdown.

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LAST TIME OUT
Despite a slow first half, the Suffolk men's soccer team was able to stymie Anna Maria, 1-0, thanks to a late second half score by senior Jordan Casey at James A. Sartori Stadium at East Boston Memorial Park Saturday afternoon.

MORE READING: Men's Soccer Shutouts Anna Maria, 1-0, on Senior Day

RAMS RUNDOWN
Suffolk enters its final conference clash two spots out of playoff contention with a 3-6-1 league ledger and a 3-10-1 overall record. 

The Rams offense 20-goal offense has been propelled by junior James Fisher's five goals. Leonardo Acosta has made a dent in the offense in his first-year in blue-and-gold with three goals and two assists on his stat line with upperclassmen Simon Velez Angel (3g) and Jordan Casey (2g, 1a) contributing to the effort as well.

Tom Bennett and David Haines have split time in net for the Rams this season, each starting seven games. Bennett holds an edge in the numbers with a .703 save percentage and a 2.45 goals-against average, with Haines coming into Saturday with a .685 save percentage and a.258 goals-against average.

CADETS CATCHUP
Norwich currently sits third in the GNAC standings behind a 6-2-2 conference mark and a 9-2-4 overall record. The Cadets head into Saturday's showdown looking for its first win since Oct. 6 after being shutout in two of their last three outings. 

Despite being shutdown recently, Norwich's powerful offense has been propelled by the likes of freshmen Bienfait Badibanga and Amerle Nemeye. Badibanga boasts 23 points on 10 scores and three handouts with Nemeye pitching in five goals and six helpers.

Brendan Germano has started all 15 games in net for the Cadets. The senior keeper holds a .820 save percentage with just 11 goals allowed for a 0.70 goals-against average with six shutouts to his credit.

INSIDE THE SERIES

• Suffolk and Norwich have met 20 times with the Rams trailing the all-time series 3-16-1.
• The Rams look to snap a seven-game skid to the Cadets.
• The last time Suffolk defeated Norwich was Oct. 15, 2011 by a 2-1 margin.

EYES ON THE GAME

LOOKING AHEAD
With its conference calendar complete, Suffolk caps off its 2018 campaign in non-league action at Fitchburg State Wednesday, Oct. 24 at 7 p.m.