Saturday Beantown Battle at Emerson Up Next for Men’s Soccer

SUFFOLK at EMERSON
Date Time Venue Live Video Live Stats Series Last Meeting   Last Suffolk Win Streak	Saturday, Sept. 9 1:00 PM Rotch Field Boston, Mass. Playsight EmersonLions.com 8-14-1 Sept. 10, 2022, T, 1-1 Sept. 6, 2017, W, 5-2 T1

BOSTON – Suffolk men's soccer rides its unbeaten streak into Saturday's, Sept. 2 city clash with Boston Commons neighbor Emerson. First kick is set for 1 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.

LAST TIME OUT
Behind the goalie gloves of Xander Balog, Suffolk men's soccer remains unbeaten in 2023 as the Rams kept Babson off the board through 90 minutes of regulation for a 0-0 tie at MacDowell Field Tuesday night.  

MORE READING: Men's Soccer Forces Scoreless Draw at Babson

RAMS RUNDOWN
Suffolk (2-0-1) is unbeaten through its first three games for the second straight season with victories over Emmanuel (3-1) and Salem State (1-0) and a scoreless tie at Babson.  

The Rams four goals are off four different boots as Matthew Belluardo, Diego Pierantozzi, Brady Sorensen, and Erik Van Even have found the back of the twine for the blue-and-gold. Tommy Handelsman, Taj Jensen and Miguel Varela have all set-up one strike through three games.  

Xander Balog and Nathan Harlow have seen time in net and both keepers have one shutout to their credit. Balog boasts a 0.50 GAA and .833 save percentage with a 1-0-1 record. Harlow, meanwhile, brings in a unblemished save percentage and a perfect .000 GAA.  

LIONS LOOK
Similar to Suffolk, Emerson is unbeaten through three games as it holds a 1-0-2 ledger. The Lions started the year with identical 2-2 draws against Roger Williams and at Husson before blanking Bates, 1-0, Tuesday, Sept. 5.  

Emerson has five goals through three games. Thomas Pelino owns two markers, while Theodore Bushara, Gregory Kopanezos and Aaron Tyler all have one. Assist wise, Ben Deeming, Evan Lee, Cade Mallett and Luke Maxwell all have one on their stat lines. 

Beckett Hobbs has played every minute in net for the Lions. He brings in a 1.33 GAA and .818 save percentage with one cleansheet to his credit. 

INSIDE THE SERIES

• Suffolk will tangle with Emerson for the second straight season and 24th time overall. 
• A year ago, the Rams tied the Lions, 1-1, in Eastie, Sept. 10, 2022. 
• Suffolk is 8-14-1 all-time against the Lions. 
• The Rams and Lions have needed overtime once to decide a winner in their 23 meetings. Emerson won the OT bout. 
• Eight contests have been decided via shutout with the Lions holding that edge as well, 6-2. 
• Suffolk is unbeaten, 0-0-1, against Emerson in the Bill Maddock era.  

EYES ON THE GAME
 

RAMS RECOGNITION
Nathan Harlow of the Suffolk men's soccer team scooped up a weekly award from the conference after his collegiate debut as the freshman was named the Commonwealth Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Week.

MORE READING: Harlow Named CCC Defensive Player of the Week 

SUFFOLK'S SCHEDULE
The Rams return to East Boston Memorial Park's James A. Sartori Stadium Tuesday, Sept. 12 for a tilt with Framingham State at 7:00 p.m.