Men’s Soccer Ties Mass. Maritime in Season Opener

BUZZARDS BAY, Mass. – The Suffolk men's soccer team and Mass. Maritime battled to a 1-1 draw in its season opener Saturday afternoon at Clean Harbors Stadium. 

THE BASICS 
SCORE: Suffolk 1, Mass. Maritime 1
RECORDS: Suffolk (0-0-1), Mass. Maritime (0-0-1) 

HOW IT HAPPENED
Suffolk found itself in a one-goal hole after 45 minutes of play, in which the Buccaneers commanded. Mass. Maritime's opening blow came within the first 15 minutes as Andrew Waryen gained control of the ball in the Rams box off of a breakaway opportunity and lofted the ball over the outstretched arms of Tom Bennett, giving the Buccaneers a 1-0 advantage. 

Suffolk had several prime opportunities to tie the match throughout the latter portion of the first half. At the 20-minute mark, senior Simon Velez Angel hung a corner ball to Leonardo Acosta, but the sophomore's shot from the top part of the box sailed high above the net.  

With 10 minutes remaining in the half the Buccaneers kept things interesting with a header from senior Kyle Daly in a crowded box off of a corner, but Declan Mee blocked the scoring opportunity.  

Out of the break, the Rams continued to pressure the Buccaneers. In the 51st minute the blue-and-gold was able to capitalize on a flawless offensive chance. Christian Restrepo gained control of the ball near midfield and passed it to Velez Angel who sent a rocket that hit the upper cross bar past Buccaneers goalie Mitch Hardy to tie the game at one.  

Both teams scrapped and clawed for opportunities for the remainder of the second stanza. Velez Angel had a chance to put the Rams ahead in the 70th minute, but his shot ricocheted off of the left post. Seconds later off the rebound Restrepo sent a laser right into the fateful hands of Hardy.  

Despite both teams seeing scoring chances over the final 20 minutes of action, neither broke open the deadlocked game to force the extra frame. 

In the first overtime, neither team really had a chance until the final few minutes. Sunjoon Tenorio paved the way for the Rams in extra time, hitting the top cross bar with a shot from left side of the box in the 96th minute. 

The two fatigued sides continued to battle in the second overtime, but were unable to break the stalemate.  

KEEPING UP WITH THE KEEPERS

• Bennett turned away eight of the nine shots he faced. 
• Hardy made seven stops in between the pipes for the Buccaneers. 

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

• Suffolk led Mass. Maritime 20-14 in shots but the Buccaneers held the 10-8 edge in shots on goal. 
• The Rams and Buccaneers tailed eight corners apiece. 
• Velez Angel recorded the lone goal for the Rams, while Restrepo registered a point with one assist. 

NOTEWORTHY

• Suffolk and Mass. Maritime met for the third straight season in the Rams' season opener. 
• The Rams went into overtime for the first time this season and second since tying St. Joseph (Conn.) on Sept. 22, 2018. 
• Suffolk needed extra time to determine an outcome in the first contest of the year for the first time since dropping a 2-1 double overtime decision at Regis Sept. 3, 2011.
• The Rams went into double overtime for the first time since playing Emmanuel to a 1-all draw Oct. 7, 2018, which marks the same time Suffolk last tied an opponent. 

POST-GAME PIC

COMING UP
Suffolk will remain on the road as it travels to Quincy, Mass. on Wednesday, Sept. 4 to face Eastern Nazarene. Kick-off at Veterans Stadium is slated for 7:00 p.m.