Sorensen Sends Men’s Soccer Past Lesley in Overtime, 1-0

EAST BOSTON – Brady Sorensen found the back of the net 5:37 into the first overtime to lift Suffolk men's soccer to a 1-0 victory over Lesley Tuesday night at James A. Sartori Stadium at East Boston Memorial Park. 

THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 1 | Lesley 0
RECORDS: Suffolk (5-4-0 | Lesley (0-9-0)  

HOW IT HAPPENED
Rain poured down from the first whistle until the horn at the 90-minute blew to end regulation.  

The skies cleared for the extra session and with the change of weather Suffolk's efforts finally paid off. The rock ping-ponged up the field starting at Taj Jensen at the Rams' own 40-yard line to Miguel Varela at the opposing 45-yard line. Varela's pass slipped three Lynx defenders and found Sorensen's boot on the go. The sophomore sailed 25 yards down the pitch and put his shot away from the left five-yard line into the opposite side of the goal.  

To open the game, two of Suffolk's three shots on target in the first 45 minutes came in the opening 10. David Bowes put one on net and Sorensen followed suit with his own attempt. Both though were turned aside by Josiah Williams to keep zeros on the board. 

The Rams best look at putting the first tally up came with just about 20 minutes remaining in the first frame. Jack Phelps ran out a feed from Varela and tucked the pass into the right side of the twine. A whistle sounded prior to a Suffolk celebration as Phelps was offsides and the goal was called off.  

Edward Abouzeid looked to get things going at the 39:18-minute mark, but once again Williams had other things in mind as his gloves grabbed the ball to keep things scoreless at the intermission.  

Suffolk looked determined to break things open as it controlled the second stanza. Every test Williams faced he answered with a stop to keep things even at 0-0 at the second half.   

KEEPING UP WITH THE KEEPERS

• Alfredo Serrano Figueroa scooped up the only shot he faced for the victory. 
• Williams secured 11 stops in the setback.  

STATISTISCALLY SPEAKING

• Sorensen's strike was the golden goal of the evening. 
• Varela set-up the lone marker. 
• Suffolk commanded the offense with a 31-5 shot advantage, including a 12-1 shots on goal upperhand.
• Corner kicks were more even with Suffolk holding a 4-3 edge.  

NOTEWORTHY

• The Rams played their second overtime game of the year and the Bill Maddock era. 
• Suffolk improved to 1-1-0 in OT under Maddock's leadership. 
• The extra session triumph is the first for the Rams since they bested Rivier, 2-1, October 30, 2019. 
• Suffolk and Lesley played in overtime for the first time since Sept. 12, 2016, which the Lynx won, 2-1 in two extra sessions. 
• The OT outing is the third all-time in the series. 
• Suffolk defeated Lesley in overtime for the first time according to the game-day-day record books, which date back to the 2009 season. 
• The Rams rattled off their third straight victory over the Lynx to move to 4-6-0 versus the Lesley since 2009. 
• Now, six games in the Suffolk, Lesley series have been decided in 1-0 decisions. The Rams are 3-3 in such instances. 
• Sorensen scored his first game-winning goal. 
• Serrano Figueroa improved to 2-1-0 on the year. Both of his victories have come in shutout fashion.  

POST-GAME PIC
  

COMING UP
Back in the win column, Suffolk looks to string back-to-back victories together as it returns to its Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) calendar this Saturday, Oct. 2 at Western New England. Game time is set for 3 p.m.