Men’s Soccer Homestand Continues Saturday with Salve Regina

SUFFOLK vs. SALVE REGINA - PROGRAM
Date Time Venue Video Stats Series Last Meeting Last Suffolk Win Streak	Saturday, Sept. 25 4:00 PM East Boston Memorial Park East Boston, Mass. Suffolk Playsight GoSuffolkRams.com Trails, 0-6-0 Sept. 19, 2016, L, 4-3 Same L6

BOSTON – In the midst of a three-game home stay, Suffolk men's soccer looks to remain unbeaten in Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) action Saturday, Sept. 25 when it entertains Salve Regina at James A. Sartori Stadium at East Boston Memorial Stadium at 4 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
A late header by Erik Van Even helped Suffolk men's soccer start the Commonwealth Coast Conference in the win column as the freshman's goal lifted the Rams over Gordon, 1-0, Saturday afternoon at James A. Sartori Stadium at East Boston Memorial Park.  

MORE READING: Men's Soccer Starts CCC Action in Winning Fashion, Shutouts Gordon, 1-0

SUFFOLK SCORES

RAMS RUNDOWN
Suffolk takes a two-game win streak into Saturday's showdown that put the Rams at 4-3-0 on the year and 1-0-0 in CCC contests. 

The Rams, who have outscored their opponents 3-1 in the last pair of games, have found the back of the net 16 times in seven games with nine student-athletes producing at least one point. Nigel Leo leads the way with 11 points on a team-best five goals and one set-up. Miguel Varela is second on the squad in both points (9) and strikes (4) with one assist to his credit as well. Edward Abouzeid has shown a knack for handouts with a conference-best seven helpers. 

Xander Balog has played the bulk of time in between the posts. The freshman has built a 1.98 goals against average and .636 save percentage in four games, all starts, for a 2-2-0 ledger. Alfredo Serrano Figueroa brings in a 1.49 goals against average and a .667 save percentage with two games under his belt. Tom Bennett (1.00 GAA, .500 save percentage) and Murad Kup (.333 save percentage) have defended the net as well.

SEAHAWKS SAYINGS
Salve Regina is on a four-game unbeaten streak which features back-to-back wins, one over Nichols (4-0) and the second against Mass. Maritime (4-1) to head into the weekend 4-3-1 overall and 1-0-0 in CCC action. 

The Seahawks have the second-most powerful offense in the league with 20 goals. Jacob Guerra and Zeke Menendez are the most consistent contributors with identical four-goal, one-assist stat lines. Alessandro Oggiano has added nine points as well with a divided stat line of three goals and three assists.

Nathan Reid is Salve Regina's go to starts with six nods. He holds a 0.87 goals average with a .750 save percentage. Two of his four victories have come in shutout form. Charlie Zwierzchowski (1.50 GAA, .500 save percentage) and Zach Rock (2.00 GAA) add options in net.

INSIDE THE SERIES

• Suffolk and Salve Regina have met six times since 2010. The Rams have yet to defeat the Seahawks, 0-6-0.
• The foes last battled Sept. 19, 2016 in Boston. Suffolk fell in that outing, 4-3.
• The series has been dividedly evenly between home (0-3-0) and away (0-3-0) bouts.
• Two games have been decided in a shutout. The last came Sept. 10, 2015 in Newport, Rhode Island, when Salve Regina kept Suffolk off the board, 5-0. The blue-and-gold is 0-2-0 in shutouts versus the Seahawks.
• The blue-and-gold has been outscored by Salve Regina, 24-9, all-time.
• Suffolk's most goals against the Seahawks came in the last dual, Sept. 19, 2016, in a 4-3 setback.

EYES ON THE GAME

RAM RECOGNITION
Suffolk men's soccer's Miguel Varela took home Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Rookie of the Week honors after a one-goal, one-assist in a 2-0-0 week for the Rams, the league office announced Monday afternoon.  

MORE READING: Varela Picks Up CCC Rookie of the Week

WHAT'S NEXT?
Suffolk wraps up its homestand Tuesday, Sept. 28 when it steps away from conference competition and welcomes Lesley to Eastie for a 7 p.m. match-up.