Men’s Soccer Begins Homestand Wednesday Against Framingham State

SUFFOLK vs. FRAMINGHAM STATE - PROGRAM
Date Time Venue Video Stats Series Last Meeting Last Suffolk Win Streak	Wednesday, Sept. 15 7:00 PM East Boston Memorial Park East Boston, Mass. Suffolk Playsight GoSuffolkRams.com Suffolk Trails, 4-51 Sept. 3, 2018, L, 3-2 Sept. 20, 2006, 1-0 L5

BOSTON – The Suffolk men's soccer team looks to get back on track as it returns to the friendly confines of East Boston Memorial Park's James A. Sartori Stadium Wednesday, Sept. 15 for a midweek matchup versus Framingham State. The Boston Rams four-game homestand opener is on tap to begin under the lights at 7:00 p.m.

SOCIAL SAYINGS
Ram Nation has a chance to keep up with all the latest news and notes on Suffolk Athletics, its student-athletes and teams by following the Rams on  Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Fans are encouraged to use the hashtag #RamNation a behind-the-scene look at Suffolk Athletics.

SUFFOLK ATHLETICS 2021-22 FAN POLICY
Suffolk University Athletics, following guidance from the University's health and safety protocols, Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC), Centers for Disease Control and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, plans to allow fans to attend home athletic contests during the 2021-22 academic and athletic year.

Fans, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, can attend games. They must be masked the entire time they are on campus, pursuant to institutional policy, and complete a health screening form at the security desk of each building upon arrival. This policy applies to home contests played on campus at the Ridgeway Building's Larry E. and Michael S. Smith Court, as well as the Emmons Horrigan O'Neil Memorial Rink and the Louis E. Porrazzo Memorial Skating Rink.

For outdoor outings, specifically at East Boston Memorial Park, fans are asked to respect COVID safety protocols. At this time, masks will not be mandated for fans no matter vaccinated status at outdoor venues.

MORE READING: Suffolk Athletics Announces Fan Policy for 2021-22

LAST TIME OUT
Suffolk men's soccer dropped a 5-0 decision to MIT Saturday afternoon at Steinbrenner Stadium. 

MORE READING: Men's Soccer Tripped Up at MIT

RAMS RUNDOWN
Suffolk slipped in back-to-back meetings, a 4-3 setback at Emmanuel, and a 5-0 shutout at MIT, to dip to 2-3-0 on the year.  

The Rams have totaled 13 goals through five games this season. Nigel Leo and Edward Abouzeid are the most consistent contributors to the blue-and-gold's offense as the graduate transfer and true freshman have notched at least one point in all five outings this year. Leo holds a team best numbers in goals (4) and points (9), while Abouzeid has a knack for setting up shots with seven handouts. 

Xander Balog has played the most time in net for the rams. He holds a 2.64 GAA and a .619 save percentage in his three appearances. Alfredo Serrano Figueroa brings in a 1.59 GAA and .667 save percentage.  

FRAMINGHAM STATE FACTS
Framingham State (0-5-0) has yet to find the win column this year. The closest the Rams came to a victory was a 2-1 overtime setback to UMass Dartmouth Sept. 11.  

FSU has been outscored by its foes 16-1. Nicolas Matias is the only Ram to find the back of the wine this year with Sherak Ayamga responsible for the lone assist. 

Framingham State has cycled through three goaltenders. Grady LeMar is the only set of gloves to not allow a goal, however, he has only seen 23:19 of action. Joseph Sturzo has put together a 1.04 GAA and .800 save percentage in nearly 90 minutes of time. James Hartshorn is the usual starter for the Rams. He holds a 3.91 GAA and .583 save percentage. 

INSIDE THE SERIES

• Since 2002, Suffolk trails the series with Framingham State, 4-5-1.
• The Boston Rams look to snap a five-game skid against the FSU Rams. 
• Framingham State took the last meeting, Sept. 3, 2018, 3-2, in overtime. 
• Suffolk looks to defeat Framingham for the first time since a 1-0 shutout Sept. 20, 2006. 
• The blue-and-gold is 3-3-0 when playing Framingham State in Boston. 
• Suffolk is 1-2-1 when battling FSU on the road. 
• Five outings against Suffolk and Framingham State have been shutouts. The blue-and-gold is 2-3-0 in such outings. 
• Suffolk and FSU have needed extra time to determine a winner just once, Sept. 21, 2005. That meeting ended in a 3-all stalemate. 

EYES ON THE GAME

WHAT'S NEXT?
Suffolk begins it Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) calendar Saturday, Sept. 18 against Gordon at 3:00 p.m. in Eastie.