Men’s Soccer Faces New Foe Nichols in CCC Clash Saturday

SUFFOLK vs. NICHOLS - PROGRAM
Date Time Venue Video Stats Series	Saturday, Oct. 9 4:00 PM East Boston Memorial Park East Boston, Mass. Suffolk Playsight GoSuffolkRams.com First Meeting

BOSTON – Suffolk men's soccer returns to East Boston for a Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) matchup on Saturday, Oct. 9 against Nichols. The Rams' and Bison's first-ever meeting is set to kickoff at 4 p.m. at East Boston Memorial Park's James A. Sartori Stadium. 

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

#RAMSFANFEST
After a year hiatus, Suffolk Athletics is excited to welcome back all members of Ram Nation to East Boston Memorial Park Saturday, Oct. 23 for Rams Fan Fest. 

The sixth event is part of Suffolk Weekend, which combines two annual celebrations – Alumni Weekend and Family Weekend. These events bring the entire University community together and allows members of the Suffolk community and their families to reconnect or get acclimated with Suffolk. For a full calendar of events for Suffolk Weekend, Oct. 21-23, click here. 

MORE INFO: Sixth Annual #RamsFanFest on Calendar for Saturday, Oct. 23

LAST TIME OUT
Thanks to the efforts of senior keepers Alfredo Serrano Figueroa and Tom Bennett and a determined Rams' defense, Suffolk men's soccer kept No. 21 Babson off the scoreboard through two overtimes for a 0-0 tie at Hartwell-Rogers Field Tuesday afternoon. 

MORE READING: Men's Soccer Holds No. 21 Babson to Scoreless Draw

RAMS RUNDOWN
Over the last three weeks, Suffolk has traded wins with losses, along with one tie at No. 21 Babson Tuesday, Oct. 5 to sit .500 (5-5-1) on the year and 1-2-0 in CCC action.  

The blue-and-gold's scoring unit, which has found the back of the net 18 times, has seen 10 different student-athletes produce a point. Nigel Leo's 11 points are leading the way with a team-best five goals and one helper. Brady Sorensen, who is responsible for the Rams last two goals, is second on the team with nine points on four markers and one set-up.  

Suffolk cycles through three different goalies in net. Xander Balog has seen the most time with five starts and appearances in which the freshman has built a 1.99 GAA and .630 save percentage. Alfredo Serrano Figueroa (4 GP, 0.87 GAA, .750 save %) and Tom Bennett (3 GP, 1.47 GAA, .667 save percentage) have seen multiple outings as well. 

BISON BREAKDOWN
Nichols fell to Gordon 1-6, Saturday, Oct. 2, in a pivotal CCC matchup. That loss was the Beavers second in a row and puts the team at 4-4-0 overall and 0-3-0 in conference contests.  

Five of Nichols' eight matches this season have been decided by a single goal, all of which were out-of-conference games. Nicholas McGrath has been the leading goal scorer for the Bison with four, one being a game-winner. Nathan Salmon trails McGrath with two goals, both of which pushed Nichols to victory. Seven Bison remain tied with one assist each on the season.

Defensively, Babson has used two goalies in net. Franco Barreto Santana (2.26 GAA, .675 save %) leads the way with six games played, posting one shutout and two wins. Luke Speers (2.24 GAA, .667 save %) has started two games in net, both of which the Bison won. 

INSIDE THE SERIES

• Suffolk and Nichols will battle for the first time.

EYES ON THE GAME

COMING UP
Suffolk will travel to the University of New England this Tuesday, Oct. 12 for a 4 p.m. CCC action.